Winner for Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Randy Brecker
Randy In Brazil
Mama Records

A spectacular melodic Latin jazz recording from legend Randy Brecker, together with the very best Brazil has to offer. Features well-known Brazilian musicians including Ruriá Duprat, who has been the recipient of a full scholarship through Quincy Jones to study at Berklee and Harvard.

Nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

Vince Mendoza
Blauklang
Act Music and Vision

A colorful masterpiece from four-time Grammy winner Vince Mendoza features top musicians Peter Erskine, Nguyên Lê, Lars Danielsson, and Markus Stockhausen. Blauklang is the final part of an ACT trilogy in collaboration with Mendoza and the WDR (West German Radio) that began in 1992 with the Grammynominated Jazzpaña and continued with Sketches

Winner for Best Latin Jazz Album

Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
Song For Chico
Zoho

The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s stunning label debut on ZOHO re-affirms the group’s place as the world’s leading Latin jazz big band following their first CD Noche Involvidable, which received a 2005 Grammy nomination! Anticipated significant retail demand, as O’Farrill and the ALJO have a continuous live presence in New York and around the US.

Nominated for Best Musical Album For Children

Trout Fishing In America
Big Round World
Trout Records

The most wide-ranging CD from TFIA’s 30-year career includes a stirring homage to Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. From breezy island vibes and rock & roll to cool jazz and bluegrass, TFIA celebrates our Big Round World with wit and wisdom.

Winner for Best Spoken Word Album For Children

Bill Harley
Yes To Running! Bill Harley Live
Round River Records

This live double CD captures the essence of Grammy Award winner Bill Harley’s vibrant, hilarious, tender, and wise songwriting and storytelling. Back to school stories provide an irreverent and true look at elementary school days. Live versions of fan favorite songs and stories. Busy national touring schedule.

Nominated for Best Small Ensemble Performance

Reinbert De Leeuw, conductor; Barbara Sukowa; Schoenberg Ensemble
Im Wunderschoenen Monat Mai
Winter & Winter

Im wunderschönen Monat Mai is a composition by conductor and pianist Reinbert de Leeuw based on German romantic songs by Schubert and Schumann. Barbara Sukowa and Reinbert de Leeuw have created the sequence of this new song cycle. The one-hour piece, consisting of seven songs in each of three parts, is performed by Barbara Sukowa and the Schönberg Ensemble. The lyrics were written by Heine, Eichendorff, and Goethe. The Schumann songs used include excerpts from Dichterliebe and Liederkreis, and “Kennst du das Land”. The Schubert songs include excerpts from Winterreise, plus “Gretchen am Spinnrade,” “Lied der Mignon,” “Meeresstille,” “Rastlose Liebe,” “Der Erlkönig,” “Ständchen,” and “Heidenröslein.”

Nominated for Best Classical Crossover Album

Uri Caine Ensemble
The Othello Syndrome
Winter & Winter

ri Caine continues his series of adaptations with Verdi’s Otello. For the first time, Caine arranges a dramatic work with a mixture of stage and concert elements. Verdi’s operatic story is the central thread through the composition, but Uri Caine equally cites from Shakespeare’s original play. Arias are juxtaposed with R&B elements, bebop, and electronic sounds, but Verdi’s famous melodies never lose their authenticity.

Nominated for Best Chamber Music Performance

Jennifer Koh & Reiko Uchida
String Poetic
Cedille Records

World premiere of Higdon piece, written for Jennifer Koh. First CD appearance of major work by Lou Harrison. Jennifer Koh is a rising star among American violinists who has worked extensively with the two living composers represented on the disc.

Nominated for Best Native American Music Album

Bryan Akipa
Songs From The Black Hills
Soar

A tranquil Native American flute recording that reaches deep into traditions of the Sioux people. Bryan Akipa was featured on the front cover of Native Peoples magazine in 2007. Produced by two-time Grammy Award-winning producer Tom Bee. Artist has name recognition as a top Native American flutist.

Featured Artists Bryan Akipa: Native American flute
Robby Bee: hand drum

Track Listing Soaring Eagle • Buffalo Nation • For Our Children • Prairie Skies • Reflections Of Paha Sapa • Traditions • Dakota Flute Song • Sage Offerings • Sacred Directions • Remembrance Media & Marketing