The winners have been announced for the 2019 Grammy Awards with a star-studded ceremony hosted by Alicia Keys at The Staples Centre in Hollywood, California. Last night Quincy Jones became the single most honoured artist alive today as he and daughter Rashida Jones picked up best music film for their ‘Quincy’ documentary - his 28th award.

Another jazz legend – 85 year old Wayne Shorter – won best instrumental album for his conceptual piece ‘Emanon’ while drummer Steve Gadd won best contemporary instrumental album for his self-titled release. Terrence Blanchard takes home best instrumental composition for his piece ‘Blood and Soil’ (part of his score for the film BlacKkKlansman). Trumpeter John Daversa was named best improvised jazz soloist for his track ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ and he won best large jazz ensemble album, while Cécile McLorin Salvant is the best jazz vocal winner for the second year running for her album ‘The Window’.

In the blues categories, Buddy Guy won best traditional blues album for his (appropriately titled) ‘The Blues Is Alive and Well’ LP while Oakland-based artist Fantastic Negrito won best contemporary blues album. Meanwhile there were Latin jazz prizes for the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and the Dafnis Prieto Big Band, and the best traditional R&B performance was shared between Leon Bridges and PJ Morton.

Performances on the night included a tribute to Aretha Franklin led by singers Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Andra Day (see video), and a celebration of Motown Records in their 60th year from original artist Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Lopez.

from www.jazzfm.com