In keeping up with the pre-Grammy hysteria this week, we here at Classicalite want to keep you readers abreast of only the most pertinent news. This one comes as an update (and perhaps our projected winner) to the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
Last year, Terri Lyne Carrington won Best Jazz Vocal Album with her 2011 The Mosaic Project (Concord). This year, Carrington's Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue (Concord) contends for the Best Jazz Instrumental Album alongside Gerald Clayton's Life Forum (Concord), Christian McBride Trio's Out Here (Mack Avenue), vibraphonist Gary Burton's Guided Tour (Mack Avenue) and Kenny Garrett's Pushing the World Away (Mack Avenue).
Recently, Carrington caught up with Down Beat's Geoffrey Himes to speak about her follow up to The Mosaic Project and where she drew inspiration in creating the record.
"This one will speak to the relationship between jazz and R&B," said Carrington.
"When I was growing up, the kind of jazz I liked was very soulful. My dad used to play me a lot of organ-trio records by Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff as well as soul-jazz by Ray Charles and Stanley Turrentine. When I got older, I appreciated jazz that was more complicated and less based on the blues," she continued.
Carrington concluded: "But in the end, the blues is what it's all based on."
Looking for a sure bet on you Grammy ballot? You could do worse than to circle Terri Lyne Carrington the winner. Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue is eager to please and, hopefully, it will receive the validation it deserves.
Apropos, here's Carrington and outfit peforming "Very Special."
