Grammy Winner John Daversa Triumphs in His Categories at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards
In the glittering world of music, the 61st GRAMMY Awards held in 2019 saw a number of notable UCLA-affiliated individuals making their mark.
One of the highlights was John Daversa, a UCLA Music Performance graduate, who won three GRAMMY Awards. His winning album, American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom, showcased the talents of 53 musicians enrolled in DACA.
Another UCLA connection came from the Best Jazz Instrumental Album category, where Wayne Shorter, a UCLA professor, won for his Wayne Shorter Quartet. This was the second GRAMMY for this esteemed ensemble.
The Best Improvised Jazz Solo was awarded to "Don't Fence Me In," but no direct information was found about a UCLA-related winner in this category at the 61st GRAMMYs. However, it's worth noting that UCLA has a rich history of alumni who have been recognised at various GRAMMY ceremonies, including artists like Sir Mix-a-Lot.
In the Contemporary Classical Composition category, Jake Heggie, another UCLA alumnus, was nominated for Great Scott, while Terrence McNally, the librettist for the same work, was also nominated.
The Best Classical Compendium category was won by Conductor JoAnn Falletta for Fuchs: Piano Concerto 'Spiritualist'; Poems Of Life; Glacier; Rush. Interestingly, JoAnn Falletta invited the UCLA Chamber Singers to record and perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in April 2019.
The album Emanon won in the categories of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album and Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella, but no specific UCLA connection was found for this winning work.
It's worth mentioning that John Daversa, currently serving as chair of Studio Music and Jazz at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, was not mentioned in connection with any of the aforementioned awards.
In conclusion, the 61st GRAMMY Awards saw several UCLA-affiliated individuals and ensembles making their mark. While some, like John Daversa and Wayne Shorter, were direct winners, others like JoAnn Falletta and Jake Heggie were nominated. The UCLA community continues to contribute significantly to the world of music, and we look forward to seeing more of their achievements in the future.
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