Tribute Albums Rule This Year's Grammy Noms with Projects from Some of the Biggest Names in Jazz

2014 has been the year of the tribute album and the 2015 Grammy voters have taken notice. This years jazz Grammy selections have shown what an important part the tribute album plays to the music lover.

The L.A. Times has written an article showing how musicians of the past have influenced this years Grammy nominations in the jazz category. The article speaks of pianist Billy Childs' beautiful album, Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro, which was nominated in the jazz vocal album category. Map to the Treasure honors singer, songwriter and pianist Laura Nyro with an album full of lush arrangements and an impressive amount of guest musicians including previous Grammy winners Alison Krauss, Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding. The jazz vocal album category also includes Rene Marie amazing tribute album to Eartha Kitt “I Wanna Be Evil.”

The jazz instrumental album category also includes some nods to the past. Jason Moran’s All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller was nominated for its modern, yet reverent recast of music by the stride piano innovator. The field also includes Landmarks by the Brian Blade Fellowship, Floating by the Fred Hersch Trio, Enjoy the View by veteran vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and Trilogy, a sprawling three-disc live set from a trio led by longtime Grammy favorite Chick Corea.

Corea is also eligible for honors in the improvised solo category, along with Hersch, pianist Kenny Barron, saxophonist Joe Lovano and Brad Mehldau, who was nominated for a turn on his electronics-infused duet album with drummer Mark Guiliana, Mehliana: Taming the Dragon. Lovano also appeared on a tribute recording by Conrad Herwig nominated in the Latin jazz category, The Latin Side of Joe Henderson.

So, jazz lovers, suit up and get ready for an exciting 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony.