In a written statement on his YouTube video, Jarrod Lawson quotes "a wise man" in saying "If your rendition of a cover tune  isn't better, OR, just completely different than the original, what's the point?" In speaking with another wise man myself, he said that to cover a song without any personal input or redefinition is just a celebration. While celebration may have its place, it does not breathe fresh life into the song and does not reinterpret the message of the song in any relevant way for its newer  audience.

The SoulMates are simply incomparable in the reinterpretation of soul standards and they are uniquely adept at the  transformation of music from other genres into soul tunes. Paul Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover is one of the best examples of this type of transformation performed by the SoulMates. Paul Simon does not write soul tunes but they become such under the loving ministrations of the SoulMates.

Jarrod has been  described with "everything he touches turns to soul." Certainly this is true in his vocals and keyboard performances. Witness his treatment of Stevie Wonder's I Wish below.

The SoulMates, however, are not just one person but rather a trio. With Jarrod is Reinhardt Melz, who can supply any rhythmic pattern and style that could ever be asked of him. And with them is Jay "Bird" Koder the master guitarist and musician who defies categories and also incorporates styles from blues to jazz to rock all in the service of soul.

Each member is a stand-alone musician of great talent. In the Portland music scene, there is just no better drummer than Reinhardt. Even Tyrone Hendricks called out one night, "That's my teacher!"

There is nobody who even comes close to Jarrod's vocals. Just ask Liv Warfield who tweeted that "Jarrod Lawson is the truth!" And it is always remiss of me that I do not say enough of Jarrod's keyboard playing. But it is so easy to get caught up in vocals that one forgets what his fingers are doing at the same time--playing melody and providing that kicking bass.

The "Bird" is far and above any guitarist anywhere. The crime is that he is never mentioned by music fans as the consummate guitarist that he is. He can be favorably compared to... well, you name anyone you care to name. But ask musicians... and they rave about him. One Portland Arts writer has spoken of "Bird" in the same glowing terms as T-Bone Burnett or John Prine. Now, if you don't know those names, it just proves the point. Both of those are musicians who refuse to be boxed into a single
category.

In other words, the SoulMates are individually the best at their position. They create layers of sound and technique that  enhance each other and create an ever-upward-movement that carries the listener along with them. Perhaps a better description than trio is triad. A triad is a three note chord that builds upon a root tone and adds tones at major or minor third intervals giving the three tones identified as the root, the third and the fifth. They are played together and they create a chord that is dependent upon its distinction for its beauty. Played together, it is much more satisfying for the hearer. It is challenging and rewarding.

What I am saying with that little music theory lesson is that the SoulMates build upon each other in unique ways with each member being essential to the sound of the whole. Imagine them without that propulsion supplied by Reinhardt and All Day Sucker just loses its drive. Without Jarrod, Cruisin' would be better heard on the radio and just leave it to Smokey Robinson because J-Law's vocals paw at the heart and even restates standard tunes better than the originals. Without Jay "Bird" there
is just not going to be the journey into musical revelation; no quest into the realm of technique and tone, style and sound. "Bird" has learned and teaches the crucial idea of character in musical performance. I am speaking of personal character within the context of group dynamics.

 
I  have heard the "Bird" speak of being aware regarding what is happening around you and making space for the others in the group. As I once quoted, the legendary Mel Brown said "I've played with Jay in a variety of settings, and he handles them all with sensitivity and finesse. He listens so well!"

This is the results of character. One of the "Bird's" commandments is "Bring the love into the group dynamics." And this has become the underscoring
characteristic of the SoulMates: the love for the music, the love for the sound, the love for each other and the love for those who listen with love all translates into love's powerful partner. Respect.


Lao Tzu was correct. "When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, respect abounds."
 
The SoulMates have deep respect for each other and it shows. They are never in competition and they do not compare
themselves with each other or anyone else because they have developed that sense of being themselves. Being in harmony with their own individuality has engendered the harmony of the trio...or triad... maybe even trinity.

It is not an example of the sum being greater than the value of its parts. Rather, it is that the individuals transcend their individual uniqueness to become supremely unique as a part of a separate wholeness.  So, without harm or offense, we can borrow such a theological term as "trinity" to describe the reality of this trio.

I could go off into a theological comparison of the musicians and the theological trinity but that would bore you to tears and land me in trouble with popes and pianists, dervishes and drummers... so catch me alone one night and I'll tell you all about it. But my point, and I really do have a point, is that the individual character of Jay "Bird", Jarrod and Reinhardt has allowed them an openness to each other in love and respect and it draws them and their listeners into something wondrous and humbling. 

They make room for each other. They encourage each other. Like a trinity, they envelope all that surrounds them, as well. It is something special that many cannot understand. Or choose not to.

The SoulMates are a study in surrendering one's ego in favor of another and in favor of something beyond themselves. There  is a generosity in their musicianship and in their character. There is that profound respect. It is a study in being human. To step aside in respect to another, to speak (or play) when it is right to speak, to keep silent when silence is louder than sound, and to know the difference is born out of humility and respect and loving harmony.

Is it too much to say that the SoulMates make me want to be a better human being? Maybe but the music of the soul draws us upward and outward, beyond ourselves and I want to do for others what the music of the SoulMates does for me.

It was less than a month ago that we saw a Stevie Wonder tribute in Portland, Oregon but Stevie never gets old and we do not tire of hearing other artists paying homage to him by performing his many works. January of 2012 saw Joey Porter's Tribute to Stevie Wonder at Mississippi Studios in Portland. The main difference was that this band had Stevie Wonder's very own rhythm section with Nate Watts (bass) and Tyrone Hendricks (drums).

Added to those heavy-hitters were Portland's hottest vocalists like Jarrod Lawson, Liv Warfield, Saeeda Wright and Paul Creighton. Max Ribner and Patrick Lamb provided the horn backing with Chris Turner on keyboards. Jarrod Lawson, Paul Creighton and Max Ribner were in Joey Porter's tribute, as well.

On guitar was none other than Jay "Bird" Koder, simply the best of the best in Portland or anywhere.
His guitar work is easily recognizable but is not so easily categorized, which is just the way he likes it. The inclusion of "Bird" alone is sufficient to call this a superior tribute.


The first number set off with the familiar rhythm that is enough to identify the song before anyone sings a single lyric. The song was Jammin' and Paul Creighton handled the lead vocals on this. Nate Watts provided that funky bass line that is so familiar. Creighton is just so adept at the Stevie Wonder material.

Saeeda Wright took the lead vocals for Sir Duke. The atmosphere onstage was one of great enjoyment and was clearly witnessed by the audience inside and the eavesdroppers on the outside with their faces pressed to the windows. Part of the fun was watching the musicians grinning at each other and pushing each other forward. But sweet Saeeda just melts you even on an up-tempo song like this.

Paul Creighton resumed lead for I Wish but surrended the lead to Liv Warfield (of Prince's band) for I Was Made to Love Her. Standing in the back was Liv's husband who, as Liv received rousing applause, shouted out "Yeah! That's my wife!" At least, I assume that was her husband. Whoever he was, he had a right to be proud. She has a precision and a power that makes your eyes water. I could listen to her forever, I think.

Livin' for the City followed and lead vocals were shared by Creighton, Warfield and Saeeda Wright. It was hot and the audience loved every second of it.

Next came the moment so many were waiting for when Saeeda shared lead vocals with Jarrod Lawson for Overjoyed. Saeeda is so very soulful and this song was made for her talents. She is astonishing. Jarrod got one of the best cheers of the night as he sang his first section. Good Lord! The things that women were screaming when he finished singing.  "Mmm, MM! That's my baby, there!"

Then came a great surprise. Lee Garrett, who had co-authored Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Your's) came to the stage to lend his vocals to You Are the Sunshine of My Life but no before he traded good-natured barbs with Nate Watts. Nate gave as good as he got, too. Lee's singing was supported by Saeeda and Jarrod. Even Lee was moved by Jarrod's vocals and shouted to him "Keep singin' it, Jarrod!"

The audience roared it's approval. For many of them, they were made to stand all night as Jimmy Mak's was sold out for both shows (7.30 pm and 10.00 pm). No one seemed to mind standing for the amazing treat being offered. It should be said that Jimmy Mak's provided a good spot for the tribute to take place. The stage was large enough for the whole band and the staff of servers stayed ahead of their tables, often having to duck and swerve around dancers and crowded standing patrons. It also provides a comfortable venue for hanging around and chatting afterwards.

This was especially pleasing as Lee Garrett regaled my wife and me with stories that made his wife shake her head. He told about teaching Stevie Wonder to drive. Now, as you know, Stevie Wonder is blind. But...so...is...Lee Garrett.  Despite what Jesus warned of such events, Stevie and Lee did not fall into a ditch. Lee has many others stories to tell and they are hilarious, even though I will not be able to reveal some of them. Those stories, however, deserve their own space and attention so we will return to that on another day.

Jarrod Lawson took the lead for Knocks Me Off My Feet. Really, the guy just owns this song. Even Nate Watts, who obviosuly has heard Stevie sing it himself shouted approval as Jarrod sang. Throughout the number, Nate kept a big smile of approval on his face and Paul Creighton just kept pointing at Jarrod.

Paul came after with Do I Do. He has his own unique touch and he and Jarrod do so well together. The big moment, however, was Jay "Bird" Koder's guitar solo. What a sound. Tyrone and Nate both had great reactions to his playing. And why not? It was a work of great melody and delicacy and received a thunderous cheer from the audience. A sax solo followed and then Tyrone's drum solo that nearly made the house collapse.

Through it all, however, Nate Watts' bass holds it all together. The great bassist Victor Wooten has said: "Nate is a Genius, and listening to Do I Do makes it obvious."

Lee Garrett then sang a duet with Liv Warfield for the hit he co-wrote, Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Your's). Then Lee calls on Jarrod to sing with him. It turned into an extended jam. Who am I kidding? It turned into church! But with Liv and Jarrod in harmony that is to be expected.

Then another great moment as Saeeda and Jarrod sang Ribbon in the Sky together. Jay "Bird's" sweet guitar provided a depth of soul when it didn't seem any more depth were even possible.

The blistering Higher Ground is a frontal assault against complacency and all four vocalists created an anthem for the faithful. It featured a spiritual guitar contribution from "Bird" that was hopefully not missed by the hearers.

Saeeda sang lead on Nate Watts' own composition, Free. Stevie Wonder said: “Nate Watts is someone I’ve had the privilege of knowing since 1974; he’s kind of a jokester and just an all-around good person. He’s serious about his bass playing, yet he doesn’t take it so seriously that it becomes a stumbling block. I think that’s why he and I have such a long relationship, because he’s consistent with his personality and consistent with his great musicianship." This song gives a glimpse into Nate's personality and his musicianship.

Superstition closed out the set with Paul Creighton taking lead vocals. The old saying in show biz is "Always leave them wanting more" and it was never truer than tonight. It was performed flawlessly and left the audience calling for an encore which was gratefully given.

Lee Garrett joined them for All I Do (Is Think About You) from the Hotter Than July album. Paul and Saeeda shared the lead but when the chorus came around all five vocalists joined in like a choir. It was a fitting closing because everyone knew that we would be thinking about this concert for quite some time.

Nate was gracious to the musicians for their help and told the audience "These guys came out to join in and they did it with NO REHEARSALS!"

Lee Garrett responded with "That bass player ain't so bad, either!" Nope. Not bad, at all.

That's the magic of Stevie Wonder; he brings out the best in everyone. He makes us want to be better. He deserves every tribute that is bestowed upon him. I wouldn't mind another one next month!

The tragic death of Whitney Houston drowned out all other concerns and issues at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Any hopes of finding voices in solidarity within the Grammy Awards show were dashed by the sad news.

Bruce Springsteen had been asked to voice his support for restoring the eliminated 31 categories. He opened the Awards show and exited the stage without a word. Truthfully, I was disappointed.

The protest, however, continued outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Awards ceremony was held. It was not disruptive. It did not try to keep people from enjoying the Grammys. But Bobby Sanabria, Ronnie Ciago, Oscar Hernandez, John Santos, and others were not going to let the issues be ignored.

Approximately 70 musicians, accompanied by their supporters, gathered with signs and music as the Grammy ceremonies got started with the red carpet flash and bang. From there, the group went to Mama Juana's Night Club for a Grammy Alternative Music Fest.

Below are news reports from various sources and a press release regarding the events of the day.
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<snip>
The Grammy telecast lasts three and a half hours and about 10 awards are given out; the bulk of them are doled out during a pre-telecast. This year, the total number of Grammys was cut from 109 to 78 after a major overhaul last year. Some specific categories were deleted and put in new, broader categories, to the outrage of some who have said the move disenfranchised them. A lawsuit has been filed and a protest is planned outside the Staples Center while celebrities file inside.

Over the past year, several musicians have voiced their dismay about the reductions, from Herbie Hancock to Paul Simon to Carlos Santana to even the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The Foos' Dave Grohl called the cuts "unfortunate."  "I don't know why they did it. It's unfortunate. Everybody is downsizing everything these days," he said in an interview last month. "I don't know why they cut so many."

Still, there hasn't been a huge outcry about the changes, which include the elimination of separate vocal categories by gender, from mainstream stars. The Academy hasn't budged in its position on the cuts and Portnow said a Thursday protest outside the academy offices shows the lack of general support for the protests.

"I think the most significant info I can give you from the protest today was the number of participants," he said, citing what he called a small crowd. "I don't know that there's anything more to say than that."
<snip>
==================================================================================
Travis' Remarks:
Portnow's response is pathetic. He continually reveals himself to be a person with no concern for the music.
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MEDIA CONTACTS FOR GRAMMYWATCH.ORG :

LOS  ANGELES: Robert Sax – (818) 427-1369, [email protected]
NEW YORK : Sarah Bisconte – (914) 310-0467, [email protected]

FOR PRESENTE.ORG


LOS ANGELES: Roberto Lovato (213) 820-8424 [email protected]
NEW YORK: Blair Fitzgibbon – (202) 503-6141,  [email protected]

 
Presente.org and GRAMMYWatch.org Protest PORTNOW & GRAMMY Awards For Devastating Decision to Delete 31 Categories of “Roots Music”
 
Musicians continue to fight, supported by broad coalition of communities and 23,000 petition signers
 
LOS ANGELES ( February 12, 2012) -- In a collective show of strength and unity, musicians representing Latin jazz, rock, blues, world and Native American music, fans of diverse musical genres, and community leaders protested today outside
Staples Center, site of the 54th GRAMMY awards ceremony. They demanded the immediate restoration of music and cultural diversity to the GRAMMY awards by re-instituting all 31 GRAMMY music categories that were eliminated in April 2011 by GRAMMY president Neil Portnow and a small group of top executives of the National Association of Recording Artists (NARAS.) Some of these categories include: Latin jazz, traditional and contemporary blues, Hawaiian, Mexican Norteña, polka. Native American, R & B, gospel, traditional and contemporary jazz and Cajun/Zydeco. 
 
Speakers and community members also denounced the anti-democratic way in which the decision was made, as none of NARAS' 21,000 voting members were consulted. 

Following the protest the musicians and the community celebrated with a concert held from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm at the world-renowned Mama Juana's nightclub in Studio City. The concert featured music representative of the 31 genres that were eliminated. An all-star band led by Ray Carrion was joined by many top Latin jazz musicians, including GRAMMYWatch organizers Sandy Cressman, Bobby Matos, John Santos (multiple GRAMMY nominee), Bobby Sanabria (multiple GRAMMY nominee,) and multiple GRAMMY award-winner Oscar Hernandez. 

Bobby Matos, a leader in the GRAMMYWatch movement to reinstate the deleted categories stated, “The incredible response to our call for musical justice demonstrates that our movement to reinstate the 31 categories has deep roots, roots that are growing. Viewers from across the country watching the GRAMMYs on Sunday didn't just see the staged show Neil Portnow and the GRAMMY organization, NARAS, wanted the world to see. They saw musicians, they saw communities, they saw a growing movement to preserve music that roots most music that was awarded tonight” said Matos 
 
Arturo Carmona, executive director of Presente.org, the largest online Latino advocacy organization in the country and one of the main organizers of the protest, said: “Presente.org and its thousands of members joined forces with the musicians in order to tell Mr. Portnow and NARAS that they will cannot simply render our music irrelevant and think that we will simply stand by
and leave the musicians alone. Far from it. With more than 23,000 petition signers and lots of boots on the ground protesting the elimination of these categories, it's very clear that we have a vibrant and growing movement to reinstate not just the 31 categories, but the self respect and dignity that comes with fighting for what we believe in. Portnow and NARAS are acting out of greed, but are inspiring us to defend what matters most: the culture and spirituality we find in our music.” 

For more information and public statements of support from music luminaries calling for all 31 GRAMMY cuts to be restored immediately, please visit www.GRAMMYWatch.org.

About Presente.org
Established in 2009, Presente.org, with more than a quarter million members, is a major national organization dedicated to amplifying the political voices of Latino communities in the United States.  For more information, please visit www.presente.org

About GRAMMYWatch.org
GRAMMYWatch.org is calling on NARAS to immediately restore the 31 eliminated categories. The group has held protest rallies and press conferences in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Members of the group include GRAMMY nominees and winners.

On August 1, 2011, four Latin jazz musicians, Bobby Sanabria, Mark Levine, Doctors Benjamin Lapidus and Eugene Marlow, filed a historic, class action lawsuit in  New York State Supreme Court against NARAS for the elimination of the Latin jazz GRAMMY category.  For more information, including a copy of the lawsuit, please visit www.GRAMMYwatch.org.

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Latin Jazz Musicians Lead Protest Against Grammys for Cutting 31 Musical Categories from Awards Show
 
 
Dozens of musicians demonstrated outside the Grammy Awards on Sunday protesting the Recording Academy’s decision to eliminate dozens of ethnic music award categories, including Hawaiian, Haitian, Cajun, Latin jazz, contemporary blues and regional Mexican. Some protesters see racial bias in the revisions, others see them as harmful to low-budget indie labels. Last August, four Latin jazz artists filed a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court claiming that the dropping of such categories had adversely affected their careers. They also said the academy was violating its "contractual obligations" to its 21,000 members. 

We speak [sic] to Oscar Hernández, founder of the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Roberto Lovato, co-founder of Presente.org, which helped organize the protest and petition signed by more than 20,000. "[The Grammys have] given me the credibility that I need to go forward to do what I do, to do the music that I love, and gave me the stamp of credibility across many boundaries," Hernández said. "I’ve traveled all over the world playing my music. And it’s an important part of what we do, for sure."

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http://www.YouTube.com/democracynow

===================================================================================

<snip>
The ceremony this year was marred by a controversy over the recording academy’s decision to cut or consolidate 31 categories, bringing the number of awards down to 78, from 109.       

Contending that the Grammys had become bloated and too easy to win in some categories, the trustees, led by the recording academy’s president, Neil R. Portnow, eliminated separate awards for male and female singers and did away with individual awards for genres like Latin jazz, Hawaiian music, zydeco and American Indian music. The board also combined contemporary
and traditional awards for blues, folk and world music.        

Critics have charged the cutbacks hurt musicians working in less lucrative genres and had the effect of discriminating against
some ethnic minorities. Latin Jazz musicians have led the protests, filing a suit in New York, submitting a petition to the academy with 23,000 names and organizing a rally on Sunday outside the Staples Center.        

In the end, only a handful of musicians showed up to protest the cuts, gathering about three blocks north of the Staples Center and chanting “Que viva la diversidad,” or “Up with diversity.” Bobby Sanabria, a Latin percussionist said: “The Grammy Awards are not what it used to be. Now it’s a dog and pony show for the mega stars. It used to be about excellence in music."       
<snip>

=========================================================================================

By Justino Aguila (musicscribeLA), Los Angeles

Latin jazz musicians protested with signs and loud music outside the Grammy Awards on Sunday as they continued their     nearly yearlong fight to reinstate 31 categories which were eliminated by the Recording Academy in 2011.     

About 70 artists and their supporters took to the streets near the Staples Center while the Grammy pre-telecast was taking    
place. After the demonstration the group was scheduled to perform at a showcase at Mama Juana's nightclub in Studio City     as a way to celebrate their music, show unity and send a message to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences     (NARAS) that rallying will continue to bring back the categories.

Grammy Awards Protest Planned By Musicians During Sunday's Show
"We're creating public awareness more than anything else,"  said Bobby Matos, a longtime Latin jazz musician. "We're not     here to stop here anybody from entering the Grammys. We're just hoping that NARAS realizes that they made a mistake. In a perfect world they would reverse their decision today, do it on the air and announce a (special) concert for those categories."     
 
Recently at a Grammy event, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio  Villraigosa said he understands what the musicians are going through.

"I love Latin jazz and I love salsa" Villaraigosa said. "I understand that what people are looking for is inclusion. We've got to celebrate that." 
     
Bruce Springsteen, who opened the 54th Grammy Awards, was sent a memo asking him to acknowledge the group during the telecast, said Bobby Matos, a protesting musician.

Roberto Lovato, co-founder of the Latino advocacy group presente.org, said that there has been outreach to NARAS  president Neil Portnow, but nothing has been resolved.     

"It's going to take the opening of the heart and the mind and Neil Portnow and the small group of cronies that made this decision," Lovato said. "They need to take a moment to take  their eyes off all the glitter, the money and look at the roots (of the
music eliminated). This is about the future of music in the United States."  
    
Lovato said he also wants to see Springsteen to stand up for the musicians affected by the eliminations. Additionally, he wants to see Portnow take action.     

"Grammy has taken the route of greed and inequity," Lovato said. "Greed and inequity is not what gave birth to Whitney Huston who started off as a gospel singer, one of the  categories eliminated. We're happy that she's being embraced, but we also
embrace Whitney Houston as one of our own. She started in our communities, in our churches, in our neighborhoods before she entered the limelight of the Grammys."     

Matos said that group is not going to be happy until the group  gets their categories back, adding that the cuts severely affects the careers of many musicians.     

On Thursday (Feb. 9) a group of Latin jazz musicians delivered areported 23,000 signatures at the Recording Academy     headquarters to show the support from music fans across the nation.     

After last year's April announcement to eliminate the categories, which affects several genres, Latin jazz musicians Ben Lapidus, Mark Levine, Eugene Marlow and Bobby Sanabria filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court in New York. The complaint     indicates musicians are being harmed by the elimination of their category in a breach by NARAS' "contractual obligations."     

During an interview with Billboard.biz last week, Portnow conveyed his dissatisfaction with the lawsuit and protests.     
"We prefer those that work with us," Portnow said. "For those who take a hard line with lawsuits and protests, that's their  hoice. It wouldn't be my preference as a way to work together." The Rev. Jesse Jackson recently said he was concerned about cuts
and sent a letter to Portnow over the elimination of categories that went from 109 to 78, changes that included the end of gender-based categories in pop, R&B, rock and country. The Academy also eliminated separate awards for male or female vcals instead having an award in each genre for a single "solo performance."

=============================================================================================

Thirty-one categories were cut from the Grammy awards this year, mostly in Ethnic music fields, and the affected artists are fighting back. A petition to reinstate the axed categories, which include Latin jazz, Native American, Hawaiian, regional Mexican, Zydeco & Cajun music, has over six thousand signatures. Artists including Paul Simon and Carlos Santana have openly criticized the cuts. And then there was Sunday night’s protest. From Billboard:

About 70 artists and their supporters took to the streets near the Staples Center while the Grammy pre-telecast was taking place. After the demonstration the group was scheduled to perform at a showcase at Mama Juana’s nightclub in Studio City as a way to celebrate their music, show unity and send a message to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) that rallying will continue to bring back the categories.

At a recent Grammy event, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa expressesed sympathy for the protestors. “I understand that what people are looking for is inclusion,” Villaraigosa said. “We’ve got to celebrate that.”

 

On Thursday, February 9, 2012 I posted a blog about the Grammy Debacle and the elimination of 31 categories from Grammy consideration. I have continued to receive information from all those concerned and the story gets worse with each passing moment. Rather than interpreting and editorializing what has transpired since April of 2011, I have decided to take the information provided me by Bobby Sanabria and others and offer you their own words. This is a near-complete accountng of the story.

With that, I will step aside and let others speak...

==============================================================================================

The following timeline and commentary was prepared by New York-based Latin Jazz bandleader, multi-Grammy nominee and educator, Bobby Sanabria.

1990′s: Latin Jazz and other diverse ethnic categories are established in the Grammy Awards. Membership multiplies to 28,000

1990′s – to present – Small independent record companies (mostly begun by artists themselves) steadily begin to demonstrate their presence as nominees and winners of Grammys culminating with Multi-Cultural jazz musician Esperanza Spalding’s win for Best New Artist over teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber.

2001: Progressive Jazz Rock group Steely Dan wins Record of the Year Grammy over Eminem. Hip Hop. Pop music industry/community is in shock

2008 – Jazz legend Herbie Hancock wins Record of the Year Grammy over Kanye West. West’s and his management are incensed. Hip Hop, Pop music industry/community again in shock. NARAS begins secret meetings in earnest after the telecast to explore the possibility of downsizing the Grammy Awards because they have become “devalued” because according to current President Neil Portnow, “The Grammys have become a huge collage.” President Portnow’s own words at NYC Chapter Emergency Meeting, Monday April 11, 2011 – 6pm at New York Institute of Technology Auditorium 61st St. & Broadway, NYC.

February 13, 2011 –  Indie record labels are nominated and win more Grammys than at anytime in the history of the Grammy Awards. Multi-Cultural jazz artist Esperanza Spalding wins Best New Artist Grammy over teenage Pop sensation Justin Bieber. It is the first time a musician wins over an entertainer. Pop music industry and the World in general are in a state of shock.


February 20: Immediately after the 2011 Grammy telecast Stephen Stoute, an industry insider and employee of Jay Z takes out a FULL one page ad in the New York Times blasting NARAS stating that they are out of touch with current popular society
and must be RESTRUCTURED. He insults Esperanza Spalding and the Grammy membership. It was the membership who gave her the win for her incredible musicianship. THE FIRST TIME A MUSICIAN IS CHOSEN OVER AN ENTERTAINER IN THIS CATEGORY. NARAS DOES NOT offer a rebuttal to defend the Academy and/or its members.

Justin Bieber fans begin an anti-Esperanza Spalding campaign that goes viral globally insulting her and Academy thus insulting the membership. Again, no response from the Academy.

Legendary Hip Hop and R&B Producer Jimmy Jam (Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) who is second in command to President Neil Portnow approves ALL category cuts in secret meetings with Grammy Board of Trustee members led by Leslie Anne Jones. 

Black Wednesday – April 6, 2011 - NARAS sends out a mass e-mail to its membership stating to follow a link for a major announcement regarding the Grammys. The announcement states that a RESTRUCTURING (DOWNSIZING) OF THE GRAMYS HAS BEEN DECIDED UPON. The original 108 categories are now cut by 31. Some categories are CONSOLIDATED into unrelated categories thus giving no chance for independent record companies to compete. For example: Latin Jazz and Contemporary Jazz (two completely different styles) are now consolidated into JUST Best Jazz Recording and Best Large Jazz Ensemble, thus giving Latin Jazz artists virtually no chance to compete for a Grammy. Other categories like Hawaiian Polka, Zydeco, Cajun, etc. and as a final insult, Native American, are cut. MOST OF THE CUT CATEGORIES ARE ETHNIC CATEGORIES. THE DECISON BY NARAS IS MADE IN SECRET WITHOUT CONSULTING ANY OF ITS MEMBERSHIP OR CITY CHAPTER BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Music community, particularly Latin Jazz and Jazz community are in shock. Realizing there will be flak, NARAS decides on a 13 city damage control/emergency tour to all major NARAS Chapter cities to explain how the NEW RESTRUCTURING gives PARITY to all artists and that no one is shut out from competing.

APRIL 11, 2011 - NARAS A FEW DAYS EARLIER sends out a mass e-mail inviting its NYC membership to come to the first meeting on Monday April 11 at 6pm at the New York Institute of Technology auditorium located at 1871 Broadway at 61rst. The e-mail specifically states that NON-MEMBERS are invited as well. THERE IS ABSOLUTLEY NO ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE E-MAIL THAT AN RSVP IS REQUIRED.

Members and non-members show up as do Larry Rother of the NY Times, Monika Fabian of the Daily News, and Larry Blumenthal of The Wall St, Journal and the Village Voice who were contacted the night before, (Daily News contacted the day of) by yours truly. 
 
WE ARE ALL TOLD THAT IF WE DIDN’T RSVP WE CAN’T GET IN. EDDIE PALMIERI 9-TIME GRAMMY WINNER AND FORMER BOARD OF GOVENOR MEMBER AND THE PERSON WHO FOUGHT FOR 17 YEARS TO GET LATIN JAZZ RECOGNIZED BY NARAS AS WELL AS LARRY HARLOW, LARAS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER AND 3-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE AND THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING SALSA RECOGNIZED AS A GRAMMY
CATEGORY TOLD TO WAIT OUTSIDE, THAT THEY/WE CAN’T GET IN UNLESS THEY/WE RSVP’D. BOB SANCHO SHOWS PRINT OUT OF E-MAIL INVITE TO NARAS REPRESENTATIVE PROVING THERE WAS NO RSVP REQUIREMENT. LARRY LEAVES IN DISGUST STATING OUT LOUD “THIS USE TO BE A CLASSY ORGANIZATION”. 

Executive Director of NYC Chapter of NARAS Elizabeth Healy arrives and greets/speaks to Paquito D’Rivera’s wife (Brenda Feliciano). Brenda informs her of the Ms. Healy speaks to those in charge and insists to “Let these people in, they are NARAS members.” 

A representative of NARAS FINALLY informs me on the side that somehow something got screwed up. Some received RSVP invites, others (like us) did not. She apologizes and informs me that we will all be finally let in after the RSVPs are let in first. After two opening questions about Blues and Hip Hop categories from audience attendees, entire comments made by attending members are about the elimination of the Latin jazz and Contemporary music categories. 

FILMING OR PHOTOGARHY IS NOT ALLOWED BY NARAS AND SECURITY GUARD TRIES TO REMOVE ALFIE ALVARADO WHO HAS A VIDEO CAMERA AT THE READY. NARAS THINKS TWICE AFTER NOTING THAT REPORTERS ARE PRESENT AND TAKING NOTES. MS. ALVARADO PREVAILS AND VIDEOS THE ENTIRE APPROXIMATELY THREE HOUR MEETING BUT IS WARNED BY NARAS EXECUTIVES FROM THE NYC CHAPTER TO NOT POST ANYTHING ON YOUTUBE. PHOTOGRAPHER LENA ADASHEVA SECRETLY FILMS WHAT HAPPENS IN LOBBY WITH A FLIP PHONE AND RECORDS AUDIO OF MEETING AND LATER POSTS SHORT EDITED VERSION ON YOUTUBE. 

Public outcry begins as musicians, fans, and the general public begins to e-mail NARAS President Portnow at [email protected] 
 
April 26 – Musicians Union Local 47 in Los Angeles unanimously protests Grammys decision to cut 31 categories and asks all locals in the U.S. to follow suit. 

May 5 – Rolling Stone reports that Portnow and Stoute have met in private to discuss changing the Grammy voting procedures and increase ‘diversity’. 
 
May 12 – Musicians Union local 802 in NYC encourages everyone to protest Grammy cuts decision and to sign petition. 

May 9th - Press Conference at Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA organized and moderated by 5 X Grammy nominees John Santos. Participants include Grammy nominee and former SF NARAS Chapter Board Governor Sandy Cressman, Grammy nominee Wayne Wallace, SF Jazz Festival director Randall Kline and others. Statement by Carlos Santana read out loud. To date Santana is the only major public figure to speak out against the Grammy Travesty. Santos asks NARAS President Neil Portnow to reinstate the 31 categories or to step down. 
 
May 9 - A signed letter signed by Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Stanley Clarke, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, David Amram, John Santos, Bobby Sanabria, and many others is sent in protest to the entire NARAS Board of
Trustees and CEO/President Neil Portnow demanding reintstement of the cut categories. 

May 10th: SF NARAS Chapter meeting. Portnow confronted about inappropriate relationship with Steven Stoute by Sandy Cressman. Portnow amazingly admits that it was HE that reached out to Stoute by phone. Cressman: “Why didn’t you call us to meet with us!!! 

May 12 – Musicians Union local 802 in NYC encourages everyone to protest Grammy cuts decision and to sign petition. 

May 13 – Bobby Sanabria asks for current Grammy President Portnow and Board of Trustees to resign if they do not reinstate the 31 categories cut on air during WBAI radio interview with Dred Scott http://www.prx.org/pieces/63049-musicians-protest-grammy-awards-eliminating-31-cat 

May 22 – Major press conference/protest scheduled in NYC was held at the Nuyorican Poets Café’ organized and moderated by Bobby Sanabria with Eddie Palmieri, David Amram, Arturo O’Farill, Rachel Z, Rene’ Lopez, Ivan Acosta, Jackie Harris, Joechen Becker, Randy Klein, Brenda Feliciano, Jimmy Sturr, and many more. Sanabria asks for reinstatement of 31 cut categories or for President and entire Board of Trustees including Leslie Anne Jones who conceived and initiated process to cut the 31 categories 2 years ago to resign.

May 23 – 27 – NARAS Board of Trustees meets in Los Angeles for 3 days. If one Board member stands up and states that the resolution to cut the 31 categories must be re-put to the Board for decision because it was ill advised, they must vote again to
possibly reverse the decision to cut the categories. Portnow has power as CEO to reverse the decision if he so chooses. 

June 30 - Press conference held in the Manhattan law offices of Balber, Pickard, Maldonado announcing a the forthcoming class action law suit against NARAS for the elimination of the unjust elimination of the Latin Jazz category on behalf of lead plaintiff Bobby sanabria with benjamin Lapidus, Mark Levine, Gene Marlow.  

August 1 - The class action lawsuit is filed in NY State Court on Monday, item number was assigned the same day. 

August 6 -  Class Action complaint filed in New York against  NARAS
From attorney Roger Maldonado:
“Plaintiffs Bobby Sanabria, Ben Lapidus, Mark Levine and Eugene Marlow filed on August 1, 2011 their class action complaint against The Recording Academy and the Board of Trustees of The Recording Academy seeking reinstatement of Latin Jazz as a category of music eligible to compete for a GRAMMY Award. The plaintiffs encourage musicians from the other categories of music that were eliminated on April 6, 2011 to file similar lawsuits across the country.” 
 
Present - Judge has been assigned to the case and will begin review this month. 

For a full accounting of what went down at the NYC Chapter meeting on April 11 with President Portnow go to… 
http://www.chipboaz.com/blog/2011/04/14/bobby-sanabria-on-the-41111-new-york-naras-meeting-the-latin-jazz-grammy/ 

Ache’ and in solidarity, 
    Bobby Sanabria 
===========================================================================================

May 9, 2011 
 
To: The Recording Academy Board of Trustees: George J. Flanigen IV; Chair of the Board, Doug Frank, Vice Chair; Glenn Lorbecki, Secretary/Treasurer, JimmyJam, Chair Emeritus; Christine Albert; Carlos Alvarez; Mark Bright; Darrell Brown;John Burk; Mike Clink; Maureen Crowe; Lamont Dozier; Pete Fisher; Fletcher Foster;Phil Galdston; Gregory J. Gordon; Stephen Hart; Leslie Ann Jones; Terry Jones; PaulKatz; Steve Mack; Harvey Mason Jr.; James McKinney; Gail Mitchell; Dee Dee Murray;Phil Nicolo; Alice Peacock; John Poppo; Beth Ravin; Nancy Rumbel; Glenn Schick;Eric Schilling; Karen Sherry; Cynthia
Simien; Jody Stephens; Steve Sterling; Peter J.Strand; Tom Sturges; Dan Workman; Billy Zero 
  
Dear Trustees: 
 
Last month, President Neil Portnow announced the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ decision to immediately eliminate 31 musical categories from consideration for Grammy awards. This decision was made without any public discussion or analysis, without the participation of the Academy’s chapters around the nation, and without any outreach to the eliminated musical communities.  

We are a group of national and international members of this Academy. We, and our thousands of colleagues, fans and supporters throughout the industry are outraged by this unilateral decision. 

Executives of the Academy have told us that it is necessary to erase and “consolidate” these categories because “the Grammies have become a huge collage”. The implication of this outrageous and blatantly racist justification is that it is necessary to disenfranchise Latinos, Native Americans, and other minorities fort he good of the Academy. 

This is utter nonsense. The Academy was created to promote and ensure diversity and excellence in the recordings arts. The collage is our strength, not a weakness. 
 
The leadership of NARAS owes a fiduciary duty to all the members of the Academy. We urge you to comply with this duty and take action to restore respect for the music and countless musicians and fans represented by the eliminated and  “consolidated” categories by immediately restoring each of the affected 31 musical categories for consideration for Grammy Award, including Latin Jazz. 

We will not be disenfranchised. If it is necessary, we intend to continue our struggle to regain and retain our voice. We will continue to reach out to our fans, to our friends in the industry, and to the sponsors of the Grammy telecast, by all means necessary to ensure that our cultural traditions and our livelihoods are not so callously disregarded.

Ivan Acosta, David Amram, Peter Apfelbaum, Brian Auger, Jochem Becker, Cindy Blackman Santana, Bunny Brunel, 
Candido Camero, Stanley Clark, Jeff Cressman, Sandy Cressman, Paquito D’ Rivera, Mercedes Ellington, Brenda Feliciano, 
Stella Elvira Franco, AndyGarcia, Omar Hakim, Herbie Hancock, Larry Harlow, Oscar Hernández, Randy Klein, Bobby Matos,  Arturo O’Farrill, Fernando Otero, Eddie Palmieri, Humberto Ramirez, Bobby Sanabria, Arturo Sandoval, Carlos Santana, 
John Santos, Alejandro Sanz, Paul Simon, Ned Sublette, Wayne Wallace, Rachel Z

==========================================================================================

Below is a letter written by renowned songwriter, Gershwin Prize recipient and 13-time Grammy Award winner Paul Simon sent to current NARAS president Neil Portnow :

Dear Neil,
I believe the Grammys have done a disservice to many talented musicians by  combining previously distinct and separate types of music into a catch-all of blurry larger categories . Zydeco, Contemporary Jazz, Contemporary and Traditional Folk , Norteno, Tejano and Latin Jazz in particular are singular in their heritage and musical skills and structures. They deserve the separate Grammy acknowledgements that they’ve been afforded until this change eliminated them.


I understand the problem of having too many categories, but maybe that’s what it takes to represent the constellation of musical styles and “ethnic” cultures that define America today.  I hope The Grammys will re-consider and restore at least some of these unique categories.
Sincerely,
Paul Simon

=============================================================================================

==========================================================================================
You will notice the name Sarah R. Bisconte on the document below. Ms. Bisconte offered her services as a publicist of great experience and talent to Bobby Sanabria in pursuit of Bobby's campaign to restore the 31 categories. On June 30th she organized a press conference at the offices of Attorney Roger Maldonado in Manhattan, together with his staff, to announce that a suit was being brought against NARAS and boycotting CBS. Below is a copy of that press  release. That was the second and last press conference and was a resounding success. 

Many local and global media outlets joined to cover the campaign following this announcement, including every major news wire like AP, AP Spanish desk, BBC, BBC Spanish, AFP, EFE and Reuters. Some outlets that carried the story are located in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Spain, France, Pakistan, England, the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Ghana, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Malta and Vietnam and Polynesia.

Ms. Bisconte was instrumental in getting Edward James Olmos to attend the LA press conference last year where he delivered remarks. A local TV affiliate broadcast his remarks. She was also responsible for getting the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. Cornel West onboard in January, 2012. Her input and media savvy have put wheels on the campaign.                                                                                                                                    ~ Travis
===========================================================================================

FOR  IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Bobby Sanabria
[email protected]

Sarah R. Bisconte
914.310.0467
[email protected]

 
MUSICIANS ANNOUNCE BOYCOTT OF CBS AND LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS AND SCIENCES OWNERS AND PRODUCERS OF THE GRAMMY AWARDS FOR ELIMINATION OF THEIR CATEGORIES

NEW YORK, NY -- June 30, 2011 – Bobby Sanabria, world-renowned Latin music and Jazz artist, percussionist, educator and four-time Grammy nominee, stated today at the law offices of Balber, Pickard, Maldonado & Van Der Tuin PC in Manhattan that, on behalf of more than 3000 musicians worldwide, a boycott will be organized against CBS, the network that broadcasts the Grammys to millions of viewers globally, and a class action lawsuit will be filed against the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), owners and producers of the Grammy Awards, for the elimination of Latin Jazz, and 30 additional music categories. 
 
Sanabria has retained Roger Maldonado, Esq. of the aforementioned law office and attorney Juan Saavedra Castro, to file the class action lawsuit against NARAS. 

In his opening remarks, Sanabria said, “On April 6, 2011 the Grammys, without warning to or consultation with its 20,000 members or Board of Governors in each of the Grammys 12 Chapter cities, announce the elimination of Latin Jazz as well as 30 other categories. Over 70 percent of the cut categories are comprised of ethnic minorities. 
  
NARAS members comprising these categories were unfairly led to believe that their released recordings of this past year would be eligible for submission in the now eliminated categories.  The cuts were done by a secret sub-committee of 12, which NARAS refuses to reveal, in direct violation of the NARAS bylaws.  To date, NARAS refuses to offer a valid explanation as to why it has made these culturally-insensitive and economically-damaging cuts.” 
 
Roger Maldonado, the lead attorney on the case, said, “Bobby Sanabria has asked Juan Saavedra Castro and my firm to bring a complaint on his behalf, as well as on behalf of other Latin Jazz musicians, challenging the Academy's arbitrary elimination of Latin Jazz as a category for consideration for the Grammy Award. We hope to work with others to help restore all 31 categories of music for consideration for the Grammy Award.”

Speaking about the human toll of the NARAS decision, Sanabria said, “The real inherent damage is not only the racist actions of NARAS, given that more than 70 percent of the categories are ethnically - and racially-based, but the adverse affect the decision will have on more than 155 recording artists every year.  Those artists will never be able to say and advertise that they are Grammy nominees.  This will adversely impact their ability to get better-paying gigs, and will severely diminish all of the prestige that goes along with winning the most coveted award in the music industry. That incalculable cost is heartbreaking for the artists and the recording industry.”

Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, the organization that is working closely with Sanabria and the Grammy Watch coalition to bring about the boycott added, “The Grammys' decision to eliminate so many categories not only flies in the face of its mission to educate the public about all forms of music, but willa also negatively impact on the careers of so many Latino and other musicians.The organization is clearly at a crossroads at this moment, and the battle today is over preserving its soul.”

Grammy Watch Group is a coalition comprised of renowned musicians and supporters of the arts.  Some of these individuals include: Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, David Amram, Mercedes Ellington, Cándido Camero, Arturo O’Farrill, Wilson  “Chembo” Corniel, Ibrahim Gonzalez, René López, John Santos, Clay Leander, Ricky Gordon, Paquito de Rivera, Brenda Feliciano, Iván
Acosta, Ben Lapidus, Brian Lynch, Jimmy Sturr, Rachel Z, Jackie Harris, Ned Sublette, Elvira Franco, T. J. English, Jochem Becher, Ramón Ponce, Wayne Wallace, Oscar Hernandez, Dr. Chris Washburne, Sandy Cressman, Randy Klein and Bobby Matos.  

These artists and other concerned citizens have led protests and organized press conferences in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles, to voice their opposition against the ill-advised decision by NARAS. 
 
For additional information, including letters and statements of support from Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Bill Cosby, Edward James Olmos, Ruben Blades, Herbie Hancock and other major artists, and to sign a growing petition, please visit
www.grammywatch.org 

==========================================================================================

Originally Published in Grammy Watch

Jazz musician and past NARAS President Michael Melvoin saw  it coming:
“We’re losing numbers already, and the trickle will become a flood.”
His remarks contrast a vision of increased growth, diversity and
participation of NARAS Membership from a mere 8,000 in the 1980s to over
27,000 at its peak in the past decade; but has already shrunken by 6,000
members under the administration of current academy president Neil
Portnow.

 Melvoin, among the first to express solidarity with musicians protesting NARAS’'
drastic cuts to the GRAMMY Awards, shared his perspectives in the June 2011
Overture magazine published by Local 47 of the Recording Musicians Association of Los Angeles, which passed a Resolution opposing the cuts.  “I think it’s a rash move meant to downsize the expense of everything, but they’re taking it out on musicians, particularly Latin Jazz, Zydeco, Rock Instrumental, things we’ve really devoted our entire lives to doing.” said Melvoin. “There is no longer a fair way to be  judged.”  

Before Mr. Melvoin's remarks were published, veteran Jazz musician Mark Levine, already disgusted by the decision, immediately wrote to the Recording Academy renouncing his membership, and informing fellow colleagues that he'd quit the organization.

Composer, bandleader, pianist, trombonist, educator and author of books on Jazz theory and technique, Levine has more than paid his share of dues for over 50 years. He's participated in numerous Grammy nominated and Grammy winning recordings including with Latin and Jazz inovators Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, Carmen McRae, Joe Henderson, Poncho Sanchez and on his own recordings. His crowd-pleasing composition "Linda Chicana" (aka "Sheila") a widely recorded standard, is still performed by a range of established Latin and Jazz groups, to club bands, and youth and college ensembles.

As he learned more about NARAS' cuts to all of the award categories, his outrage at the travesty deepened. "Yes, they're cutting Latin Jazz, but also Gospel, Blues, Hawaiian, Polka, Zydeco, Classical Music -- geez, that's the heart of American music," Levine remarked to fellow colleagues. "They're cutting the heart out fo American Music."

However, Portnow, instead of responding to Levine’s previous letter, further demonstrated himself as increasingly disconnected from the NARAS Membership when he sent this:
=============================================================================================

Dear Mark -
On behalf of myself and the Board of Trustees, I would like to congratulate you for over 35 years of membership in The Recording Academy. In recognition of your long standing support of The Academy and its initiatives in the areas of education, archiving and preservation, health and human service and advocacy, the Board of Trustees has bestowed upon you Life membership in The Recording Academy.

As a Life member of The Recording Academy your current membership will continue uninterrupted. You will have three options as it relates to dues payment:
1.       You can donate your dues to MusiCares or The GRAMMY Foundation.
2.       You can donate your dues to support The GRAMMY Museum.
3.       You can choose to not pay any dues and continue to enjoy your membership.

As the recording industry has changed over the course of your membership, the one constant has been the support and passion of The Academy’s members. Your decades of support have helped transform The Recording Academy to what it is
today and your continued membership will help shape its future.

Kind regards,
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
=============================================================================================
Let’s take that again: “Your decades of support have helped transform The Recording Academy to what it is today“.  Needless to say Portnoy’s letter got several rounds of unfunny, maddening laughter from Mark’s colleagues.  But this is not what Mark signed up for. 

With the momentary gag quickly worn off and seriousness setting in, Levine issued this letter to Neil Portnow:
=============================================================================================
July 20, 2011
 
Neil  Portnow, President
National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
3030 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica CA 90404

Dear President Portnow,

I am returning my 2003 Grammy Nomination medal and plaque to NARAS, and my 2010 Latin Grammy Nomination parchment to LARAS. I’m also refusing your offer of a Life Membership. I no longer want to be associated with your organization.

Your actions in delisting the categories that have most contributed to American music have been racist, and go against
everything my parents taught me about America.
 
To quote Frank Sinatra at the original Grammies awards ceremony in 1959: “Remember ladies and gentlemen, it’s about excellence, not popularity.”

Peace,
Mark Levine
===========================================================================================
In less than 24 hours, Levine’s letter circulated among colleagues and posted on Latin & Jazz websites, and went viral on social media.  Several other NARAS Members have already resigned or announced their intention to do so.  

As for the return of awards, another prominent Jazz musician wrote this:

“Dear Recording Academy, if I give back my two nominations from a few years ago, will you restore the 31 categories of important music that you just threw away, in an effort to make your awards “more prestigious”? The nominations mean less now, because they represent a shallow view of music. I’m embarrassed to have the Grammy emblem on a certificate.”

============================================================================================ 
NARAS’ insistence on continuing down this path was both cautioned with consequences but also offered a remedy by past Recording Academy President Michael Melvoin, in his statement presented on May 9th at the first of a series of musicians’ press conferences, aimed at the current NARAS leadership, and to the Membership:
 
“Matters of competence, governance, and management. All have been seriously lacking. All those responsible for this tragic turn should face the consequences and step aside. The membership has the duty to replace them.So first, rescind the changed category policy. If that happens, it appears unlikely, then a hard discussion in the Board Of
Trustees at the May meeting, of the internal problems must begin, toward the end of replacing those responsible for this slap in our face. If the restoring of the categories does not happen now, The Academy can expect the fire to grow and spread, and a loud public exodus of those insulted, and open discussion of all the problems being hidden. Everyone who has ever played an instrument has had the possibility of receiving recognition from the Grammys gutted. That cannot and will not stand.
Scream now and scream loud!
MM” 
 
============================================================================================
Without corrective measures, NARAS will only succeed in further rendering the intent and meaning of the GRAMMY Award worthless, while rendering itself irrelevant.

Ten time Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana said back in August of 2011 that the decisions made by National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to reduce the number of Grammy Awards it bestows from 109 to 78 were racially
motivated.

“I think they’re racist. Period. I do,” Santana said in an interview a Canadian newspaper.

His comments came after the NARAS decision in April to eliminate music categories that mostly included artists of ethnicity. The categories eliminated included: Best Latin Jazz Album, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Cajun & Zydeco Album, Best Native American Album and Best Hawaiian Music Album. 
 
The previous seven Latin categories were cut to four also, saying that there were duplicate categories in the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony and the English-language awards. Three R&B vocal performance awards for males, females and groups were also merged into one R&B performance award. 

“First of all we have so many categories of Country & Western. Country & Western people have seven to nine to 10 (awards) shows a year and you seldom see Negroes or Latin people,” Santana told The Providence. “You can’t eliminate black gospel music or Hawaiian music or American Indian music or Latin jazz music because all this music represents what United States is: a social experiment.”

Santana also went on to comment on the Academy’s decision making process.”They didn’t even tell other members, only certain people voted, overnight. A lot of people didn’t know this had passed. Quincy Jones didn’t know, Herbie Hancock didn’t
know...I’m not afraid if they don’t invite me again,” he added. “I’m not afraid to say that it’s basically racist.”

===========================================================================================

I posted this way back on November 27, 2011 on the [email protected] list  serve...
I thought it was apropos to post it again...

On Sun, 11/27/11, Bobby Sanabria wrote
Remember how the Grammys used to be? 
 
Thought all of you  would dig this and find it inspiring (and depressing)...
 
Ache', Bobby Sanabria
 
Randy Brecker, Chuck Findley, Arturo Sandoval, Bryon Stripling play the shit out of  Cherokee opening with Clifford Brown's  solo at a blistering tempo. Will Kennedy on drums. M' Fers!!! 

Ella and Mel Torme  explain to the Grammy audience what jazz is.


 

 Linda Rondstat comes out of the closet and proudly lets the Grammy audience and World know she is Mexican.

Where is Rod Serling when you need him. :) 
If you're listening Rod, take me back in a time machine, please!!! 
  
Ache' (positive energy),
Bobby Sanabria

===========================================================================================

New York - While American politics and policies are usually a turnoff to global audiences, American music has always been a big turn-on. The reason: It echoes and communicates the energy and diversity of a vibrant  culture.

Music moves hearts and feet as well as minds, which is why it has always been
the secret weapon of choice used by the State Department to garner support
overseas. It also drives our cultural industries to market music - not just as a
money-making export, but also as an inspirational and powerful social force.

Entertainment companies understand these values and have become international salesmen for the sounds of a higher consciousness, as international sales now account for more than half their revenues.

Awards shows like the Oscars and Grammys attract audiences in the billions because of the ways in which their creators - who are also increasingly international - find ways to transcend borders and resonate with the feelings and sensibilities of a vast audience. In the farthest corners of the world, you will now find local rappers emulating a musical form born in the South Bronx. Go to the world's bars, joints, concert halls and dance floors, and you will see the influence of Latin music and jazz.

This has happened in part as our country has birthed a plethora of cultural streams and artistic communities, and then awarded their most talented representatives with global visibility.

There has always been tension between those who are there just to cash in and commercialise creative expression, and those who see musical diversity as a source of strength and the reason that America is so, well, American.

Sometimes the profiteers and the performers fuse, but more often than not there is a clash between parochialism and universalism, between the revenue-maximising suits on top and the struggling artists who serve and advance musical traditions that are not always in the mainstream, even as musical geniuses transcend genres.

Today, there is a cultural war underway in the world of the Grammys as well as in the courts. A battle is now being waged between NARAS, the professional academy that gives out the awards, and many performers who are now being driven out of competition because of a decision to eliminate musical categories that have long been part of the mix.

You can understand why bottom-line-oriented TV executives and advertisers might want to streamline and package events to maximise ratings and profits by only showcasing big stars. But what they don't get is that eliminating key musical traditions leads to homogenisation. It turns branches of the American musical tree into endangered species by denying them visibility and global exposure; it robs the audience of a chance to see and appreciate new music.

The BBC in London recently interviewed Bobby Sanabria, a multi-Grammy nominated jazz, Latin jazz, and Latin music artist. He is now the lead plaintiff on the historic class-action lawsuit filed on August 1 in the New York State Supreme Court against NARAS for its elimination of the Latin jazz category. 

Sanabria believes that cutting 70 per cent of the categories affecting minorities is fundamentally racist. According to Sanabria, "It leads to a lack of diversity in the Grammy broadcast that then focuses more on stars and celebrities turning it into a corporate showcase of big stars. The Grammys were also formed to champion marginalised forms of music and educate the public."

Another artist, Dr Ben Lapidus, is denouncing what the Grammy overlords have done. He is a Latin jazz artist, associate professor of music, and a 10-year member of NARAS. Writing in Latin Beat Magazine, he explains: 
On April 6, 2011, I, and the rest of the 21,000 members of the academy received an email from NARAS announcing a major restructuring of the Grammy awards. Chief among these changes was the elimination of 31 award categories. Some of the cuts included Cajun, Zydeco, Native American, Contemporary Jazz, Traditional and Contemporary Blues and Gospel. Two dissimilar Mexican categories were also combined and Latin jazz was eliminated.

I was stunned. It was 1994 when Eddie Palmieri finally won a struggle that began 17 years earlier for the establishment of the Latin jazz category. Since then, the success of Latin jazz as a category (and as a music) has grown nationally and internationally.

What an insult to all of us (and our supporters) that such a monumental decision was announced with an email, after no consultation and no chance for an informed debate! Not even the chapter governors in the 12 Grammy Chapters around the United States, who are elected by the membership to represent us, were consulted.

 This top-down decision was announced without any debate. A meeting was called and then prominent artists were excluded from it. Tempers flared at this anti-democratic and culturally offensive process.

Lapidus explains: "It is my understanding that NARAS, as a not-for-profit entity, is required under applicable law to operate in a clear and transparent manner. It certainly did not do so in arriving at the determination to eliminate the 31 categories of music."

There were originally 109 categories; they have now cut them down to 78. News organisations that seek comment from NARAS have had no response.

In response, a lawsuit has been filed against this exclusionary process. Of course, the music organisation can't be forced to recognise minority artists, but their decision has caused a definite backlash.

The problem with going to the courts is that issues often turn into legalistic narrow bureaucratic procedures like whether the NARAS constitution permits this type of behaviour. But in fact, the heart of the matter are the morality and importance of its actions. That’s why it is essential for the artists to bring their case to the court of public opinion.

It's ironic that in a country that now has a president of colour and seems to have come a long way towards eradicating traditional forms of discrimination, a major organisation can take a step that alienates its members and displays audacious cultural insensitivity.

Impassioned publicist Sarah R Bisconte has been able to get this story out all over the world, especially in the British media. However, many star-promoting US entertainment outlets and cable news networks have ignored the controversy so far, even though Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Bill Cosby, Bonnie Raitt, Ruben Blades and many other luminaries are backing the Latin artists. 

With all that hangs in the balance, don't be surprised if there's an Occupy the Grammys at next February's big Grammy TV show.

Danny Schechter
www.mediachannel.org



==========================================================================================

Dear Brother Springsteen,
 
I am a 5X Grammy nominee as a bandleader,drummer,  percussionist in the category of Latin Jazz and asking for your help. 
 
On April 6,2011 NARAS unjustly cut 31 categories that  represent America's musical/cultural diversity from the Grammys. Over 70% of  those categories represent racial and ethnic based forms of music - Zydeco,  Cajun, Latin Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Instrumental Country, Traditional World,  Polka, Traditional and Contemporary Gospel, Traditional and Contemporary Blues,  the list goes on and on. This was done in secret by NARAS with absolutely no  input from any of the 20,000 members or any of the Board of Governors in any of  the 12 Grammy chapter cities. 
  
A letter was sent signed by major stars like Herbie  Hancock, Carlos Santana, Stanley Clarke, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri and many  others like yours truly to Grammy President Neil Portnow and the entire Board of  Trustees when all this happened
and they didn't even have the courtesy to  respond. The decision was made by a sub-committee of 12 that has met secretly  for 18 months commencing right after Herbie Hancock won for Album of the Year in  2009. To date this is the biggest act of cultural insensitivity instituted by a  non profit arts organization in the history of the United States. Carlos Santana  has publicly called the action by NARAS as racist and  ignorant.  
 
Since  this uni-lateral unjust decision was announced by NARAS on April 6, 2011 with no  due process from its membership, the public outcry, particularly in the Latin  Jazz community has been incredible. Major stars like Santana, Bonnie Raitte,  Herbie Hancock, Allison Krause, Bill Cosby and others have spoken publicly  against it.  As I stated before, Carlos Santana has publicly declared the action  by the Grammys to be racist, ignorant, and he doesn't care if he is ever invited  back by the Academy. 
 
These categories were fought for for years. In the  case of the Latin Jazz category, it was fought for for 17 years!!! At the April  11, 2001 damage control meeting President Portnow had with the NYC membership he  actually opened the meeting by stating, "The Grammys have become too big of a  diverse collage." The attending Grammy members were in shock. Trombonist Dr.  Chris Washburne responded by stating, "That's what this country  is!"
 
In an age where we have a bi-racial President in our  country and America is more diverse than ever before, the message the Grammys  are sending out is that it DOESN'T CARE ABOUT CULTURAL/MUSICAL DIVERSITY.  It is  is this diversity that is our strength! The countless number of musicians,  producers, music writers, arrangers, engineers, etc. at small independent record  labels have been devastated by this decision as they will not have the  opportunity to share in the honor and work that is generated by getting a Grammy  nominatin, let alone a Grammy win. Therefore it is also a human rights issue as  it economically affects the industry's workers, the  musicians.
 
We have been obfuscated at every turn by the Academy.  The final insult is that they refuse to release the minutes of any of the  meetings of this secret sub-committee despite it being our right since under  California Law NARAS is a 501C6 membership organization. By Law they HAVE to  give us these minutes upon a formal request by any member. We have been refused  on several occasions.  
 
Because of this Reverend Jesse Jackson has gotten  involved supporting our cause as well as Cornell West. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/grammy-awards-nominees-jesse-jackson-categories-285420 
 
We have a website gramywatch.org where you can see the  petition that has been signed by many well known figures that you personally  know. Present.org, the leading Latino civil rights advocacy group is also  supporting our cause and will be present with us this Thursday in a press  conference that will be held at 10:30am in front of the offices of the Grammys  in L.A. where they will present to Neil Portnow thousands of signatures  protesting NARAS's actions and announce the picket/protest/boycott/demonstration  that will occur the day of the award show which will have union leaders, fans,  musicians, etc. standing in solidarity. Besides this, I and three other  musician/educators; pianist Gene Marlow, guitarist Ben Lapidus and pianist Mark  Levine have filed a landmark class action lawsuit against the Academy in New  York State Court.

You as as an artist that has constantly stood by the  working person are the epitome of what we are fightng for. We are asking you to  please boycott the Grammys until they bring back all the 31 cut categories. If  you do decide to appear, can you please at least make a public statement on the  telecast. It could be as simple as yelling out on the final chord of your  performance, "BRING BACK THE 31 CATEGORIES UNJUSTLY CUT BY THE GRAMMYS!!!" 
 
Again, there will be pickets by musicians of the  affected categories,the general public as well as union members from various  locals protesting this injustice near the Staple Center.
 
With respect...
 
Ache' (positive energy),

Bobby Sanabria
www.bobbysanabria.com
grammywatch.org 

Some salient points by fellow NARAS member, 5x Grammy  nominee John Santos...
1. NARAS, a non-profit organization is supposed  to honor excellence in the music of our country and be an advocate for those  musical communities represented by its membership.
2. Most of the categories they dumped are the least  commercial but among the most creative and important "roots" categories that  represent what ethnic diversity the Grammys might claim.
3. Their decree direly affects current and future  generations who will feel the economic and cultural repercussions of this  action. This includes hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians, producers,  record labels, CD manufacturers, graphic
designers, music festivals and  presenters, night clubs, music schools, radio programmers, teachers and students  of the eliminated categories. 
4. NARAS' actions must be exposed and reversed, as  they only serve the most commercial musical interests to the complete detriment  of some of the most creative and ethnically diverse musical communities in our  country. They have reversed hard
fought battles and decisions of the last three  decades to create categories that recognize more American music than just the  most profitable.
5. We must stand up for the art forms, practitioners  and supporters that do a great deal to raise the creative aesthetic in our  communities.
6. With the elimination of Latin Jazz,  Traditional World Music, and, certain Mexican categories, the Latino US legacy  is directly dissed by NARAS, but we must also stand in solidarity and resistance  with the Native American, Black American, Creole, Hawaiian, and Eastern European  ethnic groups that have also been eliminated.
7. In addition to the  "ethnic" eliminations, creative musical categories such as Instrumental Rock, Contemporary Jazz, and Classical Crossover have been  cut.
8. NARAS officials speak and write about  education and social strategy, but fail to see the hypocrisy and the  ramifications of further disenfranchising entire communities from the Grammy  process. As the good Reverend pointed out, "Sometimes inclusion is inconvenient  but it's the right thing to do."
9. Disrespecting and ignoring the musical expression  of these communities also carries deeper repercussions than the immediate  economic hits. Kids and youth who have spent years studying these types of music  and have been properly
taught to see music with a broad perspective are now  confronted with the further invalidation of non-commercial music, narrowing  their appreciation and understanding of music to only the most visible and most  highly promoted which is clearly not where all the quality and creativity lie.  It is obviously devastating to teachers who have spent our lives trying to give  students rich alternatives to the top 40 mentality  spoon-fed to them via mass media at every moment.
10. Grammy affiliation is a dream for  musicians of all ages who seek to exceed. It is arguably our country's highest musical recognition and translates into valuable  recognition and often remuneration. It honors their life work and families as  well as their extended musical communities of colleagues and supporters. 
11. This senseless action by a handful  of culturally uninformed individuals cannot be allowed to stand simply because  NARAS doesn't want the black eye.
12. The honorable Reverend Jesse  Jackson, Cornel West, the San Francisco Art Commission, Herbie Hancock, Eddie  Palmieri, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Bill Cosby, Esperanza Spalding, Bonnie  Raitt, Stanley Clark, Ruben Blades, David
Amram, Pete Escovedo, Oscar Hernandez, Larry Harlow, Mark Levine, Wayne Wallace, Bobby Matos, and Bobby Sanabria are  just some of the well-known folks who have spoken up against this  action.
15. Concerned NARAS members and other  individuals have met with NARAS administration and staff, held  bi-coastal press conferences, written and rewritten  proposals and related posts and letters ad-nauseam, all to no avail. The time  has come for the court of public opinion.

=============================================================================================

On Thursday, February 9, musicians and music aficianados decided to protest at NARAS Headquarters in Santa Monica, CA. The protestors spoke before the headqurters and offered petitions with 23,000 signatures.

Drummer Ronnie Ciago addressed the issue with these words:

"My name is Ronnie Ciago. I am the drummer, percussionist and composer with world-renowned instrumental progressive rock band called "Brand X"--the new Brand X line-up including David Sancious. The Grammy Committee wants to eliminate "Instrumental Rock" from its categories. I am asking the Grammy
Committee to please reconsider and keep our true culture  alive. Taking out
Instrumental Rock is like taking George Washington out of our history books. We
need to continue to learn and grow with diversity. To name just a few who have
already condemned the National Academy of Recording Arts and   Sciences' actions are: Herbie Hancock, Eddie Palmieri, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Bill Cosby, Bonnie Raitt, Stanley Clarke and many others. We are also extremely encouraged by the support by Rev. Jesse Jackson. I applaud you and thank you for your support."

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MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Sax
SAX PR/Marketing
818-508-7660
[email protected]
 
Presente.org and GRAMMYWatch.org Announce Protest of GRAMMY Awards For Portnow and the NARAS Brass’ 
Irresponsible Decision to Delete 31 Categories of “Roots Music”

Musicians and community leaders bearing 23,000 petitions invite even more community to join them as they commit to continue the fight

LOS ANGELES ( February 9, 2012) --
In a collective show of strength and unity, musicians, enthusiasts of diverse musical genres, and community leaders gathered today in front of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) headquarters in Santa Monica, California, to
demand that the organization immediately restore music and cultural diversity to the GRAMMY awards by re-instituting all 31 GRAMMY music categories that were eliminated in April 2011 by GRAMMY president Neil Portnow and a small group of top executives. Speakers and community members also denounced the anti-democratic way in which the decision was made, as none of NARAS' 21,000 voting members were consulted.
 
Speakers also announced a protest rally to take place on Sunday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Figueroa Street and Pico Boulevard near the Staples Center, site of the 2012 GRAMMY awards ceremony. Community members were also invited to a concert immediately following the protest rally on February 12. The concert, to be held from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm at the
world-renowned Mama Juana's nightclub in Studio City, will feature music representative of the 31 genres that were eliminated. Some of these categories include: Latin jazz, traditional and contemporary blues, Hawaiian, Mexican Norteña, polka. Native
American, R & B, gospel, traditional and contemporary jazz and Cajun/Zydeco.
 
Bobby Matos, a leader in the GRAMMYWatch movement to reinstate the deleted categories stated, “Our movement to reinstate the 31 categories is growing. People from across the United States will watch the GRAMMYs on Sunday and see a televised display of the shame, greed and discrimination that GRAMMY president Neil Portnow and his small minority of industry insiders are imposing on the music of the majority. Our country looks more like the musicians impacted by this disturbing decision; and
the musical map of the country sounds more like the roots music that Portnow and the GRAMMY executives have now put at great risk. This is a travesty for anyone who loves music and community.”

On Sunday, February 12, the GRAMMYs will air its annual awards show on the CBS TV network with far fewer categories than
in the past.  The Academy eliminated nearly one-third of its categories, thereby decreasing the number of 2012 GRAMMY  Awards from 109 to 78. The decision by NARAS greatly reduces the opportunity for the artists performing and creating the music in the affected categories to win the music industry’s top award.  Some of the eliminated categories include Latin Jazz, Traditional and Contemporary Blues, Cajun/Zydeco, Contemporary and Traditional Jazz, Polka, Mexican Norteña, Native American, Gospel, R & B and Hawaiian music.

NARAS, the producers of the GRAMMYs, made the decision to eliminate these and other categories, comprised mostly of ethnic music, without the knowledge of or input from the organization's 21,000 members or their elected representatives; and, in so doing and by failing to apply the new eligibility criteria in a non-discriminatory manner, violated NARAS' own bylaws and procedures. 

Arturo Carmona, Executive Director of Presente.org, the largest online Latino advocacy organization in the country, said: "NARAS' cruel decision to cut 31 GRAMMY categories, mostly comprised of ethnic music, is a blatant violation of the music rights of musicians and of entire communities.  We demand that NARAS reverse its decision immediately.  Make no mistake! The message we are sending is simple: We want all of the categories back now!”
 
For more information and public statements of support from music luminaries calling for all 31 GRAMMY cuts to be
restored immediately, please visit www.GRAMMYWatch.org.
 
About  Presente.org
Established in 2009, Presente.org, with more than a quarter million members, is a major national organization dedicated to amplifying the political voices of Latino communities in the United States.  For more information, please visit www.presente.org

=============================================================================================

From: Urban Music Presents <[email protected]>
Date: February 10, 2012 6:54:06 PM  EST
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>, [email protected], Leslie Ann Jones <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Grammy Watch Petition -  5,967 Signatures to Add to Presente.org Petition
  
Dear Neil and NARAS Leadership,

Please find attached the Grammy Watch petition that is  now 5,967 people (408 pages long -  including comments) who believe your decision to cut the 31 categories is wrong and believe you should reinstate them immediately.

I add these signatures to the 20,000 plus signatures that Presente.org has accumulated and these  petitions continue to grow every day.

When I first presented this petition to you in May in San Francisco, Neil you readily dismissed it, saying it didn't count if the signatures were not a member of NARAS. I disagreed then and still do.

These signatures definitely do count. The continuing effort to spread the word and to protest since last April, has been able to 
spread the news of this injustice you handed down on American music has now caught the attention of the world, as you well know.

My hope is that positive changes will be made immediately to create a climate that supports the ENTIRE American Songbook, as NARAS is a national institution symbolizing the best in American music - ALL American music, and you have an ethical  responsibility to assure that all cultures and genres of America are  included.

As many have stated, while it may be inconvenient to do the right thing, that does not mean you have an excuse to not do so.

These two petition lists now out number the entire constituency of the NARAS membership, and if you were me, I would not underestimate these petitions again,  that would be the definition of foolishness.

Lastly, I will be on the  picket line Sunday along with many others, but do not think the efforts to correct this wrong end this Sunday. They will continue until the categories are reinstated.

For thought... as I do think this is a situation that truly captures the essence of what Gandhi said, "Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world."

Sincerely,
 
Stephanie Dalton, Director
Urban Music Presents 
2588 Mission Street, Suite 215
San Francisco, CA 94110
www.urbanmusicpresents.com
 
===========================================================================================

1. Casting a wider net over this org beyond the "category story" is important to fully understand the culture of  NARAS 
2. There is a culture of racial and gender inequality in  their membership, staff and elected leadership.
NOTE: If someone really did the math too, they'd find it were the same across the board in the Grammy, Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards given as well.
3. Their 2010 membership survey shows that 74% of their membership is male. 26% female.
4. 55% are ages 35-54
5. While the majority (over 70%) believe the membership  is ethnically diverse.  3 in 4 NARAS members are white
6. 12% black and 6% Latino.
NOTE: Another problem: NARAS P&E Wing boasts that  half of the voting members are producers & engineers, who also now get more Grammy's than genre specific recordings.
7. The Reverend Jackson talks about how creativity incubates in poverty: Traditional Blues category that was folded with Contemporary to create one large Blues Category this year reflects one wealthy black man (Keb Mo) was nominated and four (predominantly) white artists/groups Greg Allman, Warren Hayes, Derek Trucks (and Susan) and Marcia Ball.  
NOTE: The mainly white voting body understands the Keb  Mo's of the world, but not the Hubert Sumlins and the Henry Gray's b/c they're  buffered from it in Nashville, Los Angeles and NY which are the biggest three voting chapters. Where are the source musicians? At least when there was a traditional blues category there were more black artists with  nominations.
8. The Best Rock category this year has all male noms.  In 2005 they dissolved the Best female Rock due to low entries. Now how does one  explain this. With more music being recorded than ever before, how is it the numbers got so low they fell below the required 25 consistently enough to fold the category? The music is being made, NARAS just has failed to engage the women artists creating it.
9. Why? Because the men at NARAS are not having the discussion. Staff is not either. Not even the female  staff.
10. In the 54 year history of the Academy, only one woman and one black man has governed in the top elected position as Chair of the Board.
11. While NARAS/Grammy Foundations do employ women, they  are white and I can't tell you how few black men I've seen employed at the  Academy.
12. Two years ago they terminated their only executive level black woman at Headquarters, Angela Bibbs Sanders, who had been with them for 15+  years. There may now be one or two other Chapter Executive Directors who are black women. All of  this can be verified online at their website.
13. The current chair who was re elected unopposed is fr  Nashville , an all white Chapter and music community.
14. NARAS dismisses the smaller chapters like Chicago & Memphis with the strongest black music culture, history and  identity. 
15. Racism, sexism, cronyism and favoritism prevail: LL  Cool Jay hosted their Nominee Show in December and he's back hosting the Grammy show.  How obvious can this favoritism be? The Foo Fighters have performed on the  Grammy's more times than I care to remember.

==========================================================================================

I am including this letter sent to me from Bobby. It is not because I want to say anything about myself but I want you to hear the heart from this sweet man who rightly feels such passion about this issue regarding the Grammy categories.


Hi Travis,

Thanks for helping on this and spreading the news. Paul Simon, Bonnie  Raitt, Herbie Hancock, Santana, Ruben Blades, Alyson Krause and many others have spoken out on this infamnia  to no avail from Portnow and company. We even  sent a written protest to Portnow and the entire Board of Trustees signed by all  these stars and many more at the very beginning. Their response? Silence!

The kicker is that they did this by forming a secret subcommittee of 12  that began meeting in secret right after the 2009 Grammys for 18 months.  Absolutely none of the Grammy Governors (elected by we the members in the 12 Grammy chapter cities) knew anything about this or where consulted. None of we the membership (20,000) were asked or warned. They just went ahead and did it like a totalitarian regime. What do we pay dues for?

Since Portnow has come into office, 2002, the Academy has become more corporate and less about music. It's ironic, an organization founded by musicians for musicians now is against musicians and completely corporate friendly to the big labels and their artists. The Academy always prided itself on being a buffer between musicians and the bigwigs. That changed with Portnow. 
   
The Academy was founded to not only celebrate but to also propagate all forms of American music and to educate the public about all these forms so that the recording industry can grow in diversity. That is in the mission statement of the Academy.

Let everyone know about Sunday, particularly musicians from the other affected categories and members of unions. I sent 
Springsteen a personal appeal. We're hoping that he will say something on the broadcast given the fact that he's made his career championing the cause of the working person.

Hope to meet you on Sunday. I fly into LAX from NYC tomorrow at xx am. My cell is xxx.xxx.xxxx
 
Ache' (positive energy),
Bobby Sanabria

===========================================================================================

Date: Friday, February 10, 2012, 7:26 PM
Dear All, 
The plan  is to congregate at the corner of Pico Blvd. and Figueroa St. in  Downtown  Los Angeles at 3:30pm (Area 1 Blue Pin on Map)  We will rally there
and then  move to other key locations around the venue. 

There are parking lots surrounding the Staples Center Area, though I am sure many of the  locations closest to the venue will be hard to get to because of street closures.  

Here are a  few recommendations:
Go early  in anticipation of these closures
Take public transportation, there is a Metro stop within walking distance
You could  meet up as a group take the metro from Universal Station (which is close to Mama  Juanas)
Bring some homemade signs, your instruments, some water bottles, sun-block, 

Thanks a lot and see you on Sunday. 
Miguel Perla
Community & Government  Relations Consultant [email protected]

============================================================================================

By Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times
February 11,  2012

Some days, it just doesn't pay to try and hand out trophies.

The Grammy  Awards, which roll around again on Sunday, have long been a popular target  for criticism from musicians (think Kanye West),  music writers and, on more than oneoccasion, "The  Simpsons" creator Matt  Groening (Homer's response upon being reminded that he once won a Grammy: "I  mean an award that's worth something!").

The Grammys have been  accused over time of being out of touch, of favoring commercial success over  artistic excellence and of being bloated with too many categories (110 at its  peak, compared with about two dozen for the Academy  Awards).

This year, the music  industry organization that bestows the gramophone-shaped trophies is taking more  hits than ever for its attempt to slim the awards ceremony down by restructuring  various categories to bring the total down to 78. The greatest reductions took  place in R&B, American roots music, classical, Latin, jazz,  country, pop and rock fields.

Dozens of musicians have complained about  the Recording Academy's elimination of categories that had offered industry  recognition to specialized genres. Many plan to demonstrate outside Staples Center on  Sunday as their peers file in to see who does take home Grammys this year. On  Thursday, protest petitions were presented to Recording Academy officials signed  by about 23,000 people.

"In the bigger picture, diversity is important,"  said Latin jazz musician Bobby Matos, who also will play Sunday afternoon at an  "anti-Grammy" concert and jam session at Mama Juana's restaurant in Studio City,  in part because the Latin jazz category was among those eliminated.

"It's not all just about pop  music, hip-hop and country," said Matos, one of the musicians behind  Grammywatch.org, which formed last year in opposition to the category  restructuring. "We deserve some recognition, and if we're not recognized by the  organization that purports to recognize artistic excellence, then we become  invisible and irrelevant."

Sunday's jazz jam is one of  several events  being staged by those who feel disenfranchised by the new rules. The shows and  protests are a way both to salve wounded feelings and to give those who won't be  in on the Grammy party a place and reason to celebrate.

"Kelly Price & Friends Unplugged: For the Love of R&B" served Thursday night as both  celebration for her three nominations and a jam session to preserve that genre,  which was scaled back from eight categories to four this year. Price packed a  Hollywood nightclub for the late-night session where she gave the floor to her  peers, most notably Whitney  Houston, who briefly duetted.

Price, who has served two terms on the board  of the academy's Atlanta branch, voiced hope that the changes will spark urban  talent to become more active in their local chapters because nominations come  from peers.

Matos noted that Grammy recognition for jazz, blues, gospel  and folk recordings, more than in high-profile categories such as album, record  and new artist of the year, can bring more support from record labels and better  concert bookings for those
musicians.

"I've been a member of the  Recording Academy since the early 1980s, and I think they do their best to get  it right in an increasingly fragmented musical world," said Scott Billington,  vice president of artists and repertoire at Rounder Records, an independent  label whose recordings have often appeared in categories that were eliminated or  absorbed into larger ones this
year. "It may be tough to swallow a couple of  these things. It does seem a little bizarre to have Hawaiian records competing  with polka" in the new regional roots music album category. "But I think it's a  tough thing for the Recording Academy to come up with a good way to organize it.  It's not an easy task."

Some protesters see racial bias in the revisions,  others see them as more economically based, still others consider the move a  power play by corporate major labels against the smaller indie labels, whose  artists often made up the nominees in the categories that have been eliminated  or tucked under larger umbrellas. Several musicians banded together and filed a  lawsuit
aimed at forcing the Recording Academy to rescind the  changes.

"What they did was wrong, they did it in secret and they did it  without asking the membership," said Bobby Sanabria, one of the plaintiffs in  the suit filed last year. "That's the crux of the lawsuit. The nominations, I am  happy for my friends. But that's nothing to do with the lawsuit." That suit  continues to wend its way through the courts.

What began as a movement  instigated largely by musicians who have been directly affected by the  restructuring has
expanded to include celebrity sympathizers such as the Rev. Jesse  Jackson and African American author and civil rights activist Cornel West,  who side with those claiming the change has had a disproportionate effect on  musicians of color.

"It's no coincidence that most of those categories  deleted are over music rooted in the new majority communities," said Roberto  Lovato, co-founder of the Presente.org civil rights group that has thrown in  with Grammywatch.org to support the
protest.

"We support the issues of  these musicians and see this as a civil rights issue," Lovato said. "The message  is clear: Reinstate the 31 categories now and stop discriminating against black,  Latino, Native American and Hawaiian communities."

Since expanding a  petition drive that had been started by Grammywatch organizers to Presente's  broader-based coalition of
activists, Lovato and Matos said the number of  signatures collected has mushroomed from about 6,000 to more than  23,000.

Petitions were presented by a group of Grammywatch supporters on  Thursday to officials at the Recording Academy's office in Santa  Monica.

Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said he's sensitive to  the musicians' complaints, but said, "We stand behind our process.... Change is  always hard for those that are used to something happening in the same way for a  long time. But sometimes change is good."

Reiterating what he said last  year when the changes were announced, the most significant retooling of the  Grammy Awards structure in decades was the result of "a long, exhaustive study  that involved our members, who represent the music community."

Portnow  added, however, that "our process is a fluid one, and this year we've already  scheduled, as we do every year, meetings of committees that review and deal with  issues related to our process. They will meet and evaluate the changes that were  implemented, and there will be opportunities for changes again, as there are  every year."

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Obviously the Grammy Debacle is not settled. You can stay abreast of the developing events by checking in at www.grammywatch.org. This is also the site where you can add your name to the petitions being collected and presented.
Look for updates also at www.urbanmusicpresents.com and at www.bobbysanabria.com

The protest has begun in Santa Monica but it is not too late to join in support of those recording artists most hurt by the disregarding of the 31 categories. You can join by emailing NARAS at http://www.grammy.com/contact or email Neil  Portnow himself at [email protected]. CBS is televising the Grammy Awards. Tell CBS of your protest for the loss of the 31 categories at: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php  or phone in your remarks to: CBS Headquarters 1-212-975-4321

I'm sure there will be more to come.

Imagine my surprise when my friend Ronnie Ciago contacted me just moments ago with news that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS)--the organization that awards the Grammys--had eliminated nearly one third of its categories from the coveted awards. Therefore, the 2012 Grammy Awards will be decreased from 109 to 78.

Before you think that this is a good thing, consider the categories being rejected. Best Female Solo Vocal Performance and Best Male Solo Vocal Performance are being merged into one award, Best Solo
Vocal Performance. Best Instrumental Rock Performance is being completely eliminated.

That category alone is reason enough to protest. Think of the past winners from this category. Jeff Beck holds the record at six Grammys. Also receiving the award were Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Yes, Paul McCartney and Wings, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, the Chemical Brothers and Sting.

Other categories dropped were in Latin Jazz and World Music categories. But one of the most truly disgusting elements of this debacle is that NARAS has announced that they will induct the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Sergio Mendes' Brasil '66 and Big Bill Broonzy in the Grammy Hall of Fame. While they are congratulating themselves for doing this, they are also rejecting the categories represented by these great contributors. Broonzy was a Blues composer and artist. Sergio Mendes' Brasil '66 actually won a Grammy in a category that is now gone. Dr. King's beloved Gospel categories have been decimated. Hypocrites.

On April 6, 2011  NARAS President Neil Portnow made the  decision to eliminate these categories without the advice or knowledge of the 21,000 members of the organization or their elected representatives. Portnow's manner in the way he carried this out has violated NARAS' own by-laws  and procedures. The Grammys were supposed to celebrate musical diversity. NARAS has decided to snub diversity.

On Thursday, February 9, however, musicians and music aficianados decided to protest at NARAS Headquarters in Santa Monica, CA. The protestors spoke before the headqurters. Drummer Ronnie Ciago addressed the issue with these words: "My name is Ronnie Ciago. I am the drummer, percussionist and composer with world-renowned instrumental progressive rock
band called "Brand X"--the new Brand X line-up including David Sancious. The Grammy Committee wants to eliminate "Instrumental Rock" from its categories. I am asking the Grammy Committee to please reconsider and keep our true culture  alive. Taking out Instrumental Rock is like taking George Washington out of our history books. We need to continue to learn and grow with diversity. To name just a few who have already condemned the National Academy of Recording Arts and   Sciences' actions are: Herbie Hancock, Eddie Palmieri, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Bill Cosby, Bonnie Raitt, Stanley Clarke and many others. We are also extremely encouraged by the support by Rev. Jesse Jackson. I applaud you and thank you for your support."

Joining the Rev. Jackson in support was Professor Cornell West of Union Theological Seminary. Following the statements,  the assembled supporters presented NARAS with 23,000 signatures condemning the removal of the 31 categories. 

Earlier this week, Neil Portnow dismissed the protest with the words, "You can't make everybody happy..." While that sentiment  may be true when discussing what categories should be added, it is condescension at its worst when one is discussing the elimination of established categories.

However, when he received a letter from the Rev. Jackson, Portnow responded with, “We are receptive to meeting with the Rev. Jackson to explain how our nomination process works and to show the resulting diverse group of nominees it produced for the 54th Grammys - many in the musical genres he cited in his letter,” Portnow said. “We also agree with the Rev. Jackson that the Grammys are about music, not sales. They have, and always will, stand for excellence in music and celebrating the impact all music has on our culture.”

"All Music?" All music except for the music in 31 categories, apparently.

Inez Gonzalez, Executive Vice-President of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, gave full-throated support to the protest.
"Under President Neil Portnow's leadership, NARAS has failed in its mission to honor, propagate and nurture all forms of     American born music and to educate the general public about all genres, not giving preference to one over the other," Gonzalez said. "This action not only reduces diversity on the Grammys show, but most importantly it negatively impacts the musicians' careers."    


John Santos, Latin Jazz composer, percussionist and five time Grammy nominee was especially hurt. His nominations were in categories that have all been discarded under Portnow's direction. Santos writes: "For me this is personal. My five nominations over a 40 year career were in three categories that have all been eliminated. I have been a NARAS member for some 25 years,
supporting the organization...While the progress has been slow at least it was progress--until now. This disrespectful mandate sets the organization, civil rights, and creative expression back several decades."

Secretly, administrators and staff at NARAS have admitted that the move was a wrong one. However, nobody is speaking up to Portnow.

In another display of rank hypocrisy, on February 1, 2012 Portnow posted a blog on the passing of Don Cornelius by writing the following: "Don Cornelius created a cultural phenomenon with “Soul Train,” providing a platform for recording artists to showcase their talents to a wider, more diverse audience."

Isn't that what the Grammys were supposed to do; to showcase diverse music to a diverse audience? But this decision hurts
that diversity because it is ruinous to smaller labels. It inhibits the exposure that comes from recognition. Personally, there are some artists that I would never have encountered and, therefore, never bought their CDs were it not for what I saw and heard from the Grammys.

While the Grammys are being doled out. The protestors will be having a jam of their own. The "Not Those Awards All-Star Latin Jazz Jam" will take place following a protest rally at Staples Centerin Los Angeles. The concert will be held at Mama Juana’s nightclub in Studio City starting at 4:00 p.m. Ray Carrion and His Latin Jazz All Stars will be 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.

The "Not Those Awards All-Star Latin Jazz Jam" is open to the public. A $10 donation is requested. Mama Juana’s is located at 3707 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Studio City, CA, 91604.

News updates of the protest and the ever-expanding guest list for the Jam can be found at http://www.grammywatch.org

The protest has begun in Santa Monica but it is not too late to join in support of those recording artists most hurt by the disregarding of the 31 categories. You can join by emailing NARAS at http://www.grammy.com/contact or email Neil  Portnow himself at [email protected].


CBS is televising the Grammy Awards. Tell CBS of your protest for the loss of the 31 categories at: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php. or phone in your remarks to: CBS Headquarters 1-212-975-4321

You really can support musicians in ways other than buying the CDs. Buy the CDs but lend your voice!

I awoke this morning, 1 February 2012, to find the news that Don Cornelius was dead of a gunshot wound--apparently self-inflicted. The news has hit me so hard. I have thought about him all day today. I have written other things today but it has all been in the shadow of the passing of this important, influential and talented man. People have speculated have about the reasons--illness or early stages of dementia--but none of that matters because he is simply gone from us. The reasons and causes will not ease the pain of his passing and will not bring us any peace over his loss. With your permission, I would like to just write about what Don Cornelius meant to me.

When I was a kid, my father pastored a church in Gary, Indiana in the mid-late 60's. In Gary, we got all the Chicago television stations and I remember watching a local show that was hosted by the baritone-voiced man with an ever-growing Afro.  I liked his voice. I liked his clothes. I loved the music that he introduced. More than that, I liked him.

That television show was called Soul Train. And I was hooked from the time I was eight years old.

Now as a kid growing up next door to the projects in Gary, I was greatly affected and influenced by the urban culture that surrounded and absorbed me. The kids in the project ("the proj") took me in as one of them. I got to listen to the records of The Supremes and The Temptations that Jerry Kennedy's older sister played. Donald Sims' house had the best records of all; The Four Tops.

Now don't get me wrong, I was a Beatles fan first and foremost. But something was different here. The Beatles made me think and imagine but The Four Tops made me feel. I couldn't dance then or now but, Good Lord!, I wanted to and I tried to. Occasionally, I still try.

There was also talk in 1967 about this group of five brothers who were performing at local venues and even schools, if I remember correctly. Everybody was talking about them but it would be a couple of years before I got to see them. I am talking about The Jackson 5, of course.

In the 60's there was another show called American Bandstand. It was hosted by Dick Clark and they did have some great performers on that show: The Jackson 5, The Four Tops,  The O'Jays, etc. It was aired on Saturday afternoons but it was so... don't make me say it.

Soul Train, however, had a different energy to it; a whole different vibe. It was exciting stuff. This was where I got to see the bands and vocals groups that I really wanted to see. As I sit here and wonder what the difference was, I am amused at my own conclusion that the bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers or the Beach Boys or Paul Revere and the Raiders were all trying to get girls.  Guys like The Temptations and the Four Tops and singers like Marvin Gaye were singing like they had already gotten the girl.

We moved from Gary back to Florida and there was so much about living in Gary that I missed. One thing, for sure, was I missed watching Soul Train and I missed those kids in "the  proj."

Fortunately for me, Soul Train went nation-wide in 1971 and I found it almost immediately. I was thrilled! There he was Don Cornelius again. Looking good.

If you have read much of my other blog stuff, you will now that I was born into the home of a Pentecostal pastor. In those days, they were pretty hard on rock music and dancing was just forbidden! So you can imagine that watching Soul Train was not on the accepted list of entertainment choices.  But it aired on Saturday afternoon TV while my dad was writing his sermon for the next day and mom was practicing the organ or piano. So, I would watch my little sister and together we would watch Soul Train. I need to ask her if she remembers that.

Don Cornelius was so cool. I loved the afore-mentioned Afro. When I was 20, I got a perm in my hair because I wanted that Don Cornelius Afro. I'm not kidding. I wore glasses that looked like Don Cornelius would wear. He was so cool. I was so... not.

But it wasn't just clothes and looks. It wasn't even that great voice. This was a man of dignity and understanding. He understood the music, certainly, but he understood what was behind the music. And if he didn't, he would find out during the show. I remember him asking Marvin Gaye was was the inspiration for the song Sexual Healing. Even DC was stunned when Marvin answered that the song was inspired by God.

It was that understanding and that search for understanding that influenced me so much. Since then, I have always wanted to know what was behind the composing or performing of this or that song. Cornelius didn't just enjoy the song, he understood the song and it seemed to give the song a depth for him and I wanted what he had in that regard.

It was that dignity that came not from what he knew or how he dressed but what was inside of him. It was a dignity of person. It was that dignity that translated into cool for me. The same can be said of Miles Davis. But for Cornelius, and not for Davis, that dignity never turned into disdain. At least, I never saw it.

Below is a YouTube recording (from Japan) of the only time Don Cornelius danced on Soul Train. It is perfect because he is dancing with the adorable Mary Wilson.

"It's just so sad, stunning and downright shocking ... a huge and momentous loss to the African-American community and the world at large," Aretha Franklin said in her statement today. "Don Cornelius single handedly brought about a melding and unity of brother and sisterhood among young adults worldwide and globally with the unforgettable creation of Soul Train."

Patti LaBelle called Don Cornelius, "simply a genius, and the contributions he made to music and our culture are second to none. I will always treasure the fond memories I have of working with Don over the years and being part of the history that he created through Soul Train."

In his later years, Cornelius ran into trouble through some tragic mistakes of his own. His actions were less than dignified but I will not stand in judgment over the heart and soul of another. However he ended and in whatever condition he ended, he had a hand in creating something inside of me and I will be forever grateful.

One voice rises above the others. It is the voice of one I admire and respect and honor. Stevie Wonder released a statement today saying "It's a heartbreak to the music world, to the television world and it is a heartbreak to me personally. That's why we have to always reach out to friends and put our best love forward.  God bless his family and God bless his soul."

Just now as I'm sitting here writing, The Four Tops have come on the radio singing the words "It's the same old song but with a different meaning since you've been gone." I don't think I'll write anymore.

Fare the well, Don Cornelius. Say hello to Marvin.