With everything going on for the Grammy’s it’s been a week of excitement and bitter sweet moments. First things first…how about a JAZZ record winning album of the year! Congratulations to Verve for Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters, with ornate arrangements and interpretations of some of Joni’s deepest works.

Along with Tina Turner, Joni and Leonard Cohen, Herbie recruited Corrine Bailey Rae and Norah Jones to guest on the project and continue to push hip, adult music (also known as Jazz) into the hearts and minds of new, younger listeners. Great move Herbie!

I would much rather have seen either one of these talented women on the Grammy stage performing instead of Jerry Lee Lewis performing “Whole Lotta NOTHIN’ Going On.” A struggling Jerry Lee Lewis…or Corrine Bailey Rae? C’mon. Amy Winehouse…or Norah Jones? I think Amy needs to go BACK to rehab…YES, YES, YES.  What is it saying when an artist can’t even stay sober enough to make one gig…with unprecedented global impact…and yet the Grammy’s subjected the 18,000 fans at The Staples Center (and billions worldwide) to watch a live feed of Amy on the big screen from a soundstage/pub in London complete with a shout out to her boyfriend in jail. Deep.

I’ll take Patti Austin performing Grammy winning Gershwin live from the Staples Center stage over Amy Winehouse via satellite any day of the week.

You know there’s something funky going on at the Grammy’s when the Beastie Boys trump Chris Botti, Kirk Whalum, Spyro Gyra and Dave Koz for Pop Instrumental record of the year. The Beastie Boys? I went on line last week to check out the “The Mix Up” by the Beasties…it appears to me many members of the academy didn’t actually listen to these recordings which is really, really disappointing. The Beastie Boys record is absolutely embarrassing even for them.

Do I sound bitter? Ha! I just call ‘em the way I HEAR ‘em! 

One of the best parts of the Grammy’s was the post party starring Jazz superstars Harvey Mason, Bob James, Larry Carlton and Nathan East, FOURPLAY live…now THAT’S what I’m talking about! World class MUSICIANS who’ve actually mastered their instruments and read the music…AMAZING!

By the way Patti Austin’s “Lady Be Good” from her Grammy winning
Avant Gershwin is yours FREE the rest of this week at our new Digital Jazz Network at www.myjazznetwork.com how cool is that? Download it and dig it!

Congratulations Patti…we LOVE you!
Next weeks’ song of the week comes from another Grammy nominee this year, Kirk Whalum!

We have new songs every week so visit often at www.myjazznetwork.com

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the 50th Edition of the Grammy’s…
Maybe I need to go to rehab!

 

Stay tuned next week for more of Cameron’s Jazz Journals.

Read the last Jazz Journal