From soulful R&B to jazz, blues, gospel and zydeco, Louisiana artists continue to prove why the state remains a powerhouse of American music. Here’s a look at the homegrown talent recognized in this year’s GRAMMY nominations. Congratulations to all!:
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Dee Dee Bridgewater at Jazz Fest 2023. Photo by Kim Welch
“Love You Too” — Ledisi
Best R&B Album
The Crown — Ledisi
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Elemental — Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Belonging — Branford Marsalis Quartet
Best Country Solo Performance
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Best Country Song
“Somewhere Over Laredo” — Andy Albert, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson & Lainey Wilson, songwriters (Lainey Wilson)
Best American Roots Performance
“Lonely Avenue” — Jon Batiste Featuring Randy Newman
Best American Roots Song
“Big Money” — Jon Batiste, Mike Elizondo & Steve McEwan, songwriters (Jon Batiste)
Best Americana Album
Big Money – Jon Batiste
Best Traditional Blues Album
Ain’t Done With the Blues — Buddy Guy
Young Fashioned Ways — Kenny Wayne Shepard & Bobby Rush
Samantha Fish. Photo: OffBeat / Kim Welsh
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Paper Doll — Samantha Fish
Best Regional Roots Music Album
Live at Vaughan’s — Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet
For Fat Man — Preservation Brass & Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Church of New Orleans — Kyle Roussel
Second Line Sunday — Trombone Shorty and New Breed Brass Band
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco (Various Artists)
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“Amazing” — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton; PJ Morton & Darrel Walls, songwriters
Best Gospel Album
Heart Of Mine — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Sinners – Various Artists
In the film Sinners, the vibrant musical traditions of Louisiana spring into the spotlight through both setting and sound: though the story unfolds in 1932 Mississippi, the production tapped deeply into Louisiana’s rich blues, gospel and juke-joint heritage to lend authenticity and atmosphere. For instance, the soundtrack includes contributions from Louisiana-born blues legend Buddy Guy, whose own early career moved between sharecropper work and Southern clubs before his Chicago rise.
To read the full list of GRAMMY nominees, click here.
