Carla Bley
Who will win the Grammy 4 Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album?
The nominees are…
“Appearing Nightly”
Carla Bley & Her Remarkable Big Band
“Act Your Age”
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
“Symphonica”
Joe Lovano w/ WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra
“Blauklang”
Vince Mendoza
“Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard”
The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
The Grammys take place 2/8 on CBS.
I personally think Symphonica will win – all of these albums are great but Symphonica really draws you in. The playing is passionate… the “Kind of Blue factor,” and the arrangements and compositions are absolutely brilliant. The music is creative, spiritual, and pure. Straight-ahead, reminiscent of all forms of jazz, third stream… However, these other albums are really good too. All of them have a good shot, except maybe Act Your Age. The Big Phat Band plays great, and GG can write some music, but the album isn’t really breathtaking, surprising, or original at all. It is a great album though, just probably not Grammy worthy. I think the VJO and Carla Bley have a much better shot. Great stuff on those albums. However, after Symphonica, I would give a very close second place to Blauklang. Really beautiful, transcendent, human stuff. Reminds me of Maria Schneider’s work. Really captivating. But ya I think Symphonica really hits it home. That’s my prediction for the Grammy.
Carla Bley and Steve Swallow – Lawns
