Three works with which Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin is associated were selected by the Grammy Academy, whose selections were unveiled on Tuesday. Montreal-born but Nashville-based singer Allison Russell has also been selected three times for her album Outside Child and his song Nightflyer. Two of the albums of the year also count Montrealers (Kaytranada and DRTWRK) among their producers.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been selected for Florence Price, Symphonies No. 1 in C minor & No. 3 in E minor, recorded with the Philadelphia Orchestra, of which he is musical director, in the category of best orchestral performance. It is also nominated in the category of best opera recording for Dialogues of the Carmelites by Francis Poulenc, first presented in April 2019 at the Metropolitan Opera, of which he is also the musical director.
Moreover, the interpretation of Winterreise by Joyce DiDonato, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the piano, is in the running for the best solo vocal album (classical).
Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been nominated three times in the past for two albums devoted to operas by Mozart and another to Rachmaninoff. He has never won a trophy to date.
Outside Child, Allison Russell, was selected in the category of best album americana, while his song Nightflyer was considered in the categories of Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance.
Montreal producer Kaytranada, who was a finalist for three Grammy Awards last year, is cited twice this year for his work on the album Back of My Mind by HER (which competes in the categories of Album of the Year and R&B Album of the Year). Another Montrealer, DRTWRK, is among the record contributors Donda by Kanye West (finalist for two awards, including album of the year) and The Off-Season by J. Cole (finalist for best rap album).
Jon Batiste wins 11 nominations
Jon Batiste could well be the biggest surprise of the gala, which will take place on January 31: the “multigenres” artist, recent Oscar winner, leads the race for the Grammy with 11 selections.
Batiste, who is also a conductor at the Late Show by Stephen Colbert, is a finalist for Album of the Year with We Are, as well as for the title of the year with Freedom, a joyful ode to New Orleans. His quotes span several genres and categories, including R&B, Jazz, Folk, Classical and Music Video.
PHOTO CAITLIN OCHS, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Jon batiste
Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and HER are in the running eight times, while Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo both have seven caps.
Justin Bieber is notably a finalist thanks to his mega-success Peaches. Another Ontarian, Drake, landed two quotes, one for Best Rap Album and another for Best Rap Performance, alongside Future for Way 2 Sexy. Cuban-Canadian artist Alex Cuba has been nominated twice for his latest album, Mendó.
Dan Snaith, better known as Caribou, was nominated for Best Dance / Electronic Recording category for his 10e studio album, Suddenly. Joni Mitchell got his 16e career selection in the Historical Album category with Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 1 – The Early Years.
The Weeknd finalist … finally
Along with Jon Batiste’s unexpected dominance, another surprise came from The Weeknd, who landed three quotes this year. Snubbed at last year’s gala, the Torontonian said he would not allow his record company to submit his music to the academy’s vote. He did, however, find himself in the list of finalists for his work on albums by other artists, including the deluxe edition of Doja Cat, Planet Her, and Donda, by Kanye West. He owes his third selection to his appearance in the song Hurricane, from West.
PHOTO RICHARD SHOTWELL, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Weeknd
For the first time, the academy has reduced the number of finalists in the general categories from eight to ten. This change impacts categories such as Record, Album, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
Jay-Z, who is a finalist for three Grammy Awards, now holds the record for most caps of all time, at 83. The 23 Grammy Award-winning rapper has passed 80-time finalist Quincy Jones.
With the Associated Press