GRAMMY nominations announced!

By Melanie Maxwell

This month’s Smooth Jazz News cover girl Mindi Abair and Gerald Albright were among 14 of Concord Music Group‘s recording artists who were nominated for a 2014 GRAMMY award this morning.

Mindi’s Wild Heart and Gerald’s Slam Dunk were both nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. Nathan East‘s self-titled debut on Yamaha Entertainment Group, and Jazz Funk Soul with Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb and Everette Harp (Shanachie) were also nominees in the same category

More of GRAMMY nominees on Concord Music Group’s roster include:

Chick Corea received two nominations:  Fingerprints for Best Improvised Jazz Solo, and Trilogy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

Dianne Reeves received the Best Jazz Vocal Album nomination for her Beautiful Life CD.

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band was nominated in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category for his Life in the Bubble record. Gordon was also nominated for the track “Get Smart” as Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella; Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for “Party Rockers” and as composer for Best Instrumental Composition for Life in the Bubble.

Stanley Clarke was also nominated for Best Instrumental Composition for “Last Train to Sanity” from Up (Mack Avenue Records).

Congratulations to all of the nominees!

Winners will be announced at the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards, airing live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. For a complete list of nominees, visit www.grammy.com.