LOS ANGELES (The Recording Academy) - In keeping with its mission of honoring artistic excellence, The Recording Academy will spotlight the jazz, classical and gospel genres with special events to be held during GRAMMY Week. The second annual GRAMMY Salute To Jazz, the ninth annual GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music, and the first GRAMMY Salute To Gospel
Music events will take place as part of GRAMMY Week - a celebration of the recorded arts leading up to "GRAMMY Sunday."
Each event will feature live performances and a special presentation of the President's Merit Award to accomplished artists in honor of their professional achievements. This year's honorees include Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks and Horace
Silver (Jazz); Esa-Pekka Salonen (Classical); and Andra? Crouch, Bill and
Gloria Gaither, and Albertina Walker (Gospel). The 47th Annual GRAMMY Awards is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, and will be broadcast live from STAPLES Center on the CBS Television Network from 8 - 11:30 p.m. (EST/PST).
"During the days that lead up to the GRAMMY Awards, individuals from all facets of the music industry come together to celebrate their craft and honor their peers," said Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy. "In the spirit of this celebration, we extend the scope of GRAMMY Week with events that focus on specific genres, and pay homage to the legends who have made significant contributions to these musical forms, as well as those who continue to keep these genres alive and vibrant."
GRAMMY Salute To Jazz
On Feb. 8, the Academy will host the second annual GRAMMY Salute To Jazz at The
Music Box @ The Fonda Theatre from 7 - 10 p.m. Honorees include composer/arranger and saxophonist Benny Golson, GRAMMY-winning vocalist and educator Jon Hendricks, and composer and pianist Horace Silver. The President's Merit Award for outstanding achievement will be presented to these jazz legends for their lasting contributions to the genre and the music community. Live performances and appearances by the honorees will highlight an evening dedicated to paying tribute to jazz - one of the great American musical forms.
GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music
The ninth annual GRAMMY Salute To Classical
Music will take place at noon on Feb. 10 at the
Millennium Biltmore Hotel. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, the Academy will present Los Angeles Philharmonic
Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen with the President's Merit Award. Guests of this prestigious event will include prominent members of the classical music community. GRAMMY-winning conductor Richard Kaufman will serve as master of ceremonies.
GRAMMY Salute To Gospel
Music GRAMMY Salute To Gospel
Music will be held in L.A. from 7 - 10 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ Cathedral. The first President's Merit Award honorees for this event include GRAMMY-winning pioneer of contemporary gospel Andra Crouch, GRAMMY-winning Southern gospel artist/songwriters Bill and
Gloria Gaither, and GRAMMY-winning gospel veteran Albertina Walker.
In addition to an awards presentation, this event will feature exciting performances by top artists including GRAMMY recipients CeCe Winans, Kirk
Franklin and Donnie McClurkin, as well as Byron Cage,
Nicole C. Mullen,
Donald Lawrence and current GRAMMY-nominees
Smokie Norful and the Crabb Family. Confirmed sponsors for the GRAMMY Salute To Gospel
Music include: WOW, Northern Trust, Union Bank, EMI Gospel, Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Gospo Centric, Pure Springs Gospel, Verity Records, ASCAP, Daywind Records, and Word Records.
