Three
drum groups, a flute player and a well-known Indian record producer
are among the dozens of recording artists up for one of the most
prestigious awards in the music industry.
At a star-studded
press conference in Beverly Hills, California, the picks for the
46th annual GRAMMY Awards were announced yesterday. "Embracing
both high-profile and up and coming artists, the nominations reflect
talent that was both commercially successful as well as critically
acclaimed," said Neil Portnow, president of the Academy of
Recording Arts and Sciences.
For the
fourth year, the ceremony will hand out an award for Best Native
American Music Album. The category was added in 2000 after heavy
lobbying from Native music advocates and it has raised the profile
of the genre.
This year's
list of nominees marks a return to the traditional pow-wow sound
that dominated the category in prior years. Three of the most popular
drum groups in Indian Country are represented but there's also a
Christian-influenced nominee and a nod to a prominent flute player.
Black
Eagle (http://www.blackeagle1989.com),
a drum group from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, has been chosen for
Flying Free, its latest release on the SOAR label. The group was
nominated for a GRAMMY in 2002 and won Best Pow-Wow Album at this
year's Native American Music Awards.
The Black
Lodge Singers, based in Washington, are up for Brotherhood, also
on the SOAR label. The drum group, headed by Kenny Scabby Robe and
composed largely of his 12 sons, has become one of the most famous
in North America. The nomination marks the second time the family
has been tapped for the GRAMMYs.
Another
repeat nominee is the Northern Cree Singers, from Alberta, Canada.
Still Rezin' from the Canyon Records label is the 12-member drum
group's latest release.
Tom Bee,
a producer who owns the SOAR label (http://www.soundofamerica.com),
has been nominated for his own album. Reveal His Glory reflects
Bee's Christian beliefs and includes several worship and praise
songs.
Rounding
out the list is R. Carlos Nakai, the Navajo-Ute flutist whose new
age-style music has inspired many around the world. Sanctuary, from
Canyon Records, is described as "serene, meditative [and] soothing"
by Amazon.Com.
Bee's
label also garnered a nomination in the Best Rock Gospel Album.
Red Letterz is a solo effort by Fresh I.E., a rap artist from Canada.
Like Bee's album, it is Christian-based.
The GRAMMY
ceremony will be held n Sunday, February 8, 2004, at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles. CBS will broadcast the show from 8-11:30
p.m.
A full
list of the 46th annual GRAMMY nominees can be found at: http://www.grammy.com/awards/grammy/46noms.aspx.
Relevant
Links: GRAMMYs - http://www.grammy.com
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