2005 Grammy Nods

   The recording industry's biggest night is set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005,  at The Staples Center in Los Angeles for the 47th Annual Grammy presentations. The jazz world was nominated for several Grammy Awards though you'd never know it from the truncated, popcentric lists that have appeared at the usual news outlets. As a public service, JAZZ CONNECTION combed through the nominees to bring you the categories in which jazz artists are listed. The Eligibility Year for this year's Grammy Awards are for recordings released during October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004.

Boney James, one of the most successful artists in the worlds of Instrumental Pop, Contemporary Jazz and Urban Adult Contemporary music, is nominated for the second consecutive time for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Pure (See Boney James CD). James is also going head-to-head in this category against fellow Smooth Jazz sax man and producer, Dave Koz, for his Saxophonic album. This latest Grammy nod for James capped a year that has seen him reign at the top of Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and announced his arrival into the Top 10 of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart when Pure earned "Hot Shot Debut" status as the highest debuting R&B/Hip-Hop album with its #9 bow. Following four consecutive gold albums, Pure marked James' debut as a producer.

Songstress Nancy Wilson is up for a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for R.S.V.P (Rare Songs, Very Personal). (See Nancy Wilson RSVP CD) Celebrating 50 years in the music business, Wilson recorded this album of songs that are very near and dear to heart but ones she never got to record until now. She gets some stellar help from friends Phil Woods, Toots Thielemans, George Shearing, Gary Burton, Ivan Lins, Bill Watrous, Paquito D'Rivera, Joe Negi and Kenny Lattimore, in making this album a serious contender.

Big Band music got a shot in the arm as composer/arranger Phil Kelly is recognized for a Grammy nod for Best Instrumental Arrangement on his composition/arrangement of Bella Luce (For Conte Candoli) from his Convergence Zone (Phil Kelly & The NW Prevailing Winds).  (See Phil Kelly & The NW Prevailing Winds CD) This 16-piece big band cooks on high flame throughout the entire album.

 The Grammy Awards will air over the CBS television network from 8-11 p.m.

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Best Jazz Vocal Album