The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.
The band Snarky Puppy
won their 5th Grammy Award in 2023, and 5 more nominations, for Best
Contemporary Instrumental Album, Empire Central. This Grammy category is
often smooth jazz and jazz fusion.
What is a Snarky Puppy? From Wikipedia: "The band was formed as a 10-piece group by bassist Michael League at the University of North Texas in 2004...The group has grown into an international super-band made up of '...a wide-ranging assemblage of musicians known affectionately as 'The Fam.' In more than 17 years since its founding, about 40 players have performed... in 'The Fam,' and 6 of the 10 original members are regulars." They rotate through 19 players on this album, and this is their ~39th release since 2005! Discogs.
The album was recorded, over several days, live in a club. For the video, at least, the feed is mixed and fed out to the crowd, who listen through wired headphones, somehow (!). A link to a YouTube playlist of 7 of the album tunes played live is included in addition to the usual album playlist.
Snarky Puppy, Empire Central, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; YouTube video playlist
This is on the Grammy Jazz 2022, Jazz Best Albums 2022, and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎