The Recording Academy Spotlights Jazz, Classical and Gospel Music During GRAMMY Week Celebration

Business Wire, Dec 16, 2004

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- The Recording Academy:

--Second Annual GRAMMY(R) Salute To Jazz Event to Pay Tribute to Legends Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks, and Horace Silver

--Ninth Annual GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music Honors Esa-Pekka Salonen Music Director of the L.A. Philharmonic, and

--GRAMMY Salute To Gospel Event Celebrates Gospel Veterans Andrae Crouch, Bill and Gloria Gaither, and Albertina Walker

In keeping with its mission of honoring artistic excellence, The Recording Academy(R) will spotlight the jazz, classical and gospel genres with special events to be held during GRAMMY(R) 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 Andrae 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 Andrae 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.

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs -- including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download(R) (www.WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information, please visit www.grammy.com.