The week after the Grammys - the showing for jazz was notable - although off the TV, being held at an afternoon ceremony before the big broadcast. A total of 94 Grammy Awards were handed out - see the list of winners at the link. -
There was a lot of notable music - nominated and winning. One project that we took special interest in was the restoration of a chamber music project from the late 1940’s by Pittsburgh’s Mary Lou Williams - the Zodiac Suite.
The project was highly acclaimed - and received a Grammy nomination in the category of “Best Classical Compendium” for Aaron Diehl and the Knights, the chamber music ensemble (Field 11 - Classical). While the recording did not bring home the Grammy, it did bring new attention to the Zodiac Suite.
We had the chance to talk with Aaron Diehl last fall about Mary Lou Williams, Aaron’s friendship with Mary’s close friend and Manager, Father Peter O’Brien (which led Aaron Diehl to learn more about Mary Lou Williams’ sacred music). We also talk about the chamber music ensemble “The Knights,” who took on the challenges of bringing Mary Lou’s 1940’s conception for the Zodiac Suite to this modern recording, today.
BTW - Terence Blanchard DID win a Grammy for “Best Opera Recording” in the Production, Engineering, Composition and Arranging field (#10) - for Champion: An Opera in Jazz.
We also share sounds from some another major advocate for Mary Lou Williams’ music - Deanna Witkowski - and compare and contrast the sounds of some of the Zodiac Suite for jazz trio versus chamber orchestra.
Also on the Scene - grammy winners from vocalist Samara Joy - Tight (Best Jazz Performance -her 3rd Grammy in two years) and composer, vocalist and pianist Nicole Zuraitis - How Love Begins (Best Vocal Jazz Album). Other winners we’ll share included the Count Basie Orchestra - Basie Swings the Blues (Best Large Ensemble Album) and pianist Billy Childs - Winds of Change (Best Jazz Instrumental Album).
A notable nominee just in town for Kente Arts was Lakecia Benjamin - whose release Pheonix was a remarkable musical statement after a near tragic accident just before the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival in 2021.
The Scene - Thursday at 6 - Friday and Saturday at noon - Sunday at 5 on WZUM
Lakecia Benjamin
Aaron Diehl
Samara Joy