Best Tropical Latin Album went to Cachao – The Last Mambo.
The new combined Best Regional Roots Album was given to Rebirth Brass Band for Rebirth of New Orleans
Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part I: The Root of Life received the Best Reggae Album
The winner of the Best Bluegrass Album is Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss & Union Station
Ramble At The Ryman by Levon Helm won the Best Americana Album
The Best Blues Album award went to Revelator by Tedeschi Trucks Band
And lastly, the winner of the Best Folk Album is Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars
This year, the GRAMMY Awards were marked by controversy. Last year, NARAS eliminated 31 categories of music from the 2012 GRAMMY Awards, including the Latin Jazz, Traditional World Music, Native American, Cajun/Zydeco, Hawaiian, and Traditional Blues categories. For several months, numerous artists and supporters have been protesting the decision.
Musicians, community leaders and music fans held a protest rally this afternoon at Staples Center, at the corner of Figueroa Street and Pico Boulevard to pressure NARAS to reinstate the 31 eliminated categories.
This evening, while NARAS was holding the Grammy Awards celebration at Staples Center, musicians and other artists, supported by community members are having a special concert in Los Angeles to protest the elimination of their musical categories. The Not Those Awards All-Star Latin Jazz Jam is taking place at the renowned Mama Juana’s nightclub in Studio City. The line-up includes Ray Carrion and His Latin Jazz All Stars joined by many special guests including two-time Grammy winner Oscar Hernandez, multiple Grammy nominee John Santos, Bobby Matos, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and Susie Hansen.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Warm congratulations to all the winners – however, given that NARAS had previously eliminated more than 30 categories, including telescoping Traditional World Music and Contemporary World Music, in addition to slashing several Roots and indigenous musical categories – this is at best a patronizing “pat on the head!” Obviously, there is little respect for and understanding of the artistry, integrity and stylistic distinctiveness of the myriad flavors of World and Roots music. There ought to be a better place for the many brilliant artists who create World and Roots music to be recognized and honored!