The 67th Annual Grammy Awards celebrated the best in music, with jazz and blues artists making a significant impact. Samara Joy continued her remarkable winning streak, securing two awards, while multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste also took home multiple Grammys for his contributions to film and music. Other major winners included säje, Norah Jones, and a special tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones.
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Samara Joy’s Continued Success at the Grammys
Samara Joy added two more Grammys to her collection, winning Best Jazz Vocal Album for A Joyful Holiday and Best Jazz Performance for Twinkle Twinkle Little Me, featuring Sullivan Fortner. Joy, who won Best New Artist in 2023, remains undefeated at the Grammys, now holding five awards from five nominations.
säje and Norah Jones Also Claim Victories
The jazz vocal quartet säje, which includes Seattle native Sara Gazarek and Tacoma’s Johnaye Kendrick, won Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for their song Alma, featuring Regina Carter. This marks their second Grammy win. They were also nominated in the category for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella.
Norah Jones continued her Grammy legacy by securing her 10th win, receiving Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Visions. The album started as a series of voice memos recorded late at night, showcasing Jones’ intimate and reflective style.
Jon Batiste Wins Two Awards for American Symphony
Jon Batiste, known for his dynamic musical range, won Best Music Film and Best Song Written for Visual Media for It Never Went Away, a track from the documentary American Symphony. The film details his journey as a musician while supporting his wife through leukemia treatment.
Jazz, Blues, and Instrumental Winners
The Grammy Awards also recognized outstanding talent in jazz, blues, and instrumental categories. Here are some of the key winners:
- Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Remembrance — Chick Corea and Béla Fleck
- Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence — Dan Pugach Big Band
- Best Latin Jazz Album: Cubop Lives! — Zaccai Curtis, Luques Curtis, Willie Martinez, Camilo Molina, and Reinaldo de Jesus
- Best Alternative Jazz Album: No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin — Meshell Ndegeocello
- Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Plot Armor — Taylor Eigsti
- Best Traditional Blues Album: Swingin’ Live at The Church in Tulsa — The Taj Mahal Sextet
- Best Contemporary Blues Album: Mileage — Ruthie Foster
Special Tribute to Quincy Jones
The Grammy night also paid tribute to the late Quincy Jones, who passed away in November. His influence on the music industry was honored through an all-star performance featuring Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Janelle Monáe. Monáe performed Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough as a tribute to Jones’ contributions to Michael Jackson’s iconic hits.
Jones had deep ties to Bremerton and Seattle, where he discovered his passion for music and honed his talents. His legacy continues to shape the industry, making this tribute a fitting celebration of his contributions.
Looking Ahead
With the 67th Grammy Awards wrapped up, the jazz and blues communities continue to thrive, proving that these genres remain a vital part of the music landscape. Fans can expect more outstanding music from these talented artists in the years to come.
