56th Annual Grammy Nominations in Jazz

The National Academy for Recording Arts and Sciences announced nominees for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. There were few surprises among the jazz nominees and some names that theJazzPage.com selected for review this year. We’re hoping that the third time will prove the charm for Gregory Porter in the Jazz Vocal Album category. Even though we expected his previous to receive the award, we think his latest effort, Liquid Spirit, makes an even stronger case. Cécile McLorin Salvant also received a nomination for her outstanding debut, Womanchild, and Lorraine Feather is a nominee for her beautifully done Attachments. On the instrumental side of things, we’re glad to see the recognition for Kenny Garrett and his Pushing The World Away, Gerald Clayton for Life Forum and Christian McBride for Out Here. Finally,  it’s great to see Roberto Fonseca and his debut Yo among the nominees in the Latin Jazz album category. Our best to them all. We’ll soon announce our favorite recordings of 2013, but for now, here are the nominations of jazz-related artists for the 56th annual Grammy Awards, the ceremonies for which will be held in Los Angeles on January 26th, 2014, and aired live on CBS at 8pm EST/5pm PST.

Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Andy Bey – ‘The World According To Andy Bey’
Lorraine Feather – ‘Attachments’
Cécile McLorin Salvant – ‘WomanChild’
Tierney Sutton – ‘After Blue’
Gregory Porter – ‘Liquid Spirit’

Best Improvised Jazz Solo:
Terence Blanchard – “Don’t Run”
Paquito D’Rivera – “Song For Maura”
Fred Hersch – “Song Without Words #4: Duet”
Donny McCaslin – “Stadium Jazz”
Wayne Shorter – “Orbits”

Best Jazz Instrumental Album:
The New Gary Burton Quartet – ‘Guided Tour’
Terri Lyne Carrington – ‘Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue’
Gerald Clayton – ‘Life Forum’
Kenny Garrett – ‘Pushing The World Away’
Christian McBride Trio – ‘Out Here’

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album:
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – ‘Brooklyn Babylon’
Randy Brecker, W_odek Pawlik Trio & Kalisz Philharmonic – ‘Night In Calisia’
Brussels Jazz Orchestra Ft. Joe Lovano – ‘Wild Beauty’
Alan Ferber – ‘March Sublime’
Dave Slonaker Big Band – ‘Intrada’

Best Latin Jazz Album:
Buika – ‘La Noche Más Larga’
Paquito D’Rivera And Trio Corrente – ‘Song For Maura’
Roberto Fonseca – ‘Yo’
Omar Sosa – ‘Egg_n’
Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – ‘Latin Jazz-Jazz Latin’

Best Pop Instrumental Album:
Herb Alpert – ‘Steppin’ Out’
Boney James – ‘The Beat’
Earl Klugh – ‘Handpicked’
Jeff Lorber Fusion – ‘Hacienda’
Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair & Richard Elliot – ‘Summer Horns’

Best Traditional Pop Album:
Tony Bennett & Various Artists – ‘Viva Duets’
Michael Bublé – ‘To Be Loved’
Gloria Estefan – ‘The Standards’
Cee Lo Green – ‘Cee Lo’s Magic Moment’
Dionne Warwick – ‘Now’

Best Traditional R&B Performance:
Gary Clark Jr. – “Please Come Home”
Fantasia – “Get It Right”
Maysa – “Quiet Fire”
Gregory Porter – “Hey Laura”
Ryan Shaw – “Yesterday”