Yamaha Artists James Blunt, Will.i.am, and Justin Timberlake Earn Multiple Grammy Nods

Press release
Source: Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs

James Blunt

“We are extremely pleased that so many Yamaha artists were recognized for their tremendous talents they contribute to the music industry everyday. We are honored to support them in their careers,” comments Chris Gero, corporate director of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs.

UK pop/rock sensation James Blunt, who plays the Yamaha MP100 and C3L pianos, has reached the top of the charts all over the world with his debut album Back to Bedlam and its single “You’re Beautiful.” Back to Bedlam is nominated for the prestigious Record of the Year, along with releases from Mary J. Blige, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, and Corinne Baliley Rae. Blunt is also nominated for Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Hip-hop impresario turned super-producer and Yamaha piano artist Will.i.am racked up several GRAMMY nominations this year, including: Album of the Year as a producer on Timberlake’s Future Sex/Love Sounds; two nominations in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “That Heat” and “Mas Que Nada” with The Black Eyed Peas; and Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal for “My Humps” with The Black Eyed Peas. He was also nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for such works as “About You” with Mary J. Blige, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” with Fergie, “Damn Girl” with Justin Timberlake, “I Am Somebody” with Santana, and Timeless with Sergio Mendes.

Yamaha artist Justin Timberlake, who plays Yamaha keyboards and guitars, is no stranger to awards and recognition. He is up for Album of the Year for Future Sex/Love Sounds, along with Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Recording, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Also joining Timberlake in the Album of the Year category is Yamaha drummer/producer Steve Jordan for his work on John Mayer’s Continuum.

Last year’s three-time GRAMMY winner John Legend is up for three awards this year, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Save Room,” Best Male R&B Performance for “Heaven,” and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for “Family Affair.”

Yamaha pianist Sheryl Crow earned two nominations this year for her efforts. “Always on Your Side” performed with Sting is up for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals and “You Can Close Your Eyes” is up for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Sir Paul McCartney, who performs on Yamaha Grand Pianos, is joining Blunt and Legend in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category. He is nominated for his song “Jenny Wren” from Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.

The Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category is a crowded field, with three Yamaha artists nominated. They include Tony Bennett for Duets: An American Classic, Michael Bublé for Caught in the Act, and Sarah McLachlan for Wintersong.

Yamaha is also well represented in the Jazz categories. Guitarist Mike Stern is up for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for Who Let the Cats Out? Two-time GRAMMY nominee this year Taylor Eigsti is up for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo along with legendary Yamaha drummer Roy Haynes and Yamaha drummer Ignacio Berroa. Eigsti is also nominated for Best Instrumental Composition.

Yamaha Jazz pianist Chick Corea earned Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement nominations. Also, nominated in the Best Latin Jazz Album category are Brian Lynch and Eddie Palmieri for Simpático, along with Yamaha drummer Dafnis Prieto for Absolute Quintet and drummer Antonio Sanchez for Viva.

Many Yamaha artists were nominated in every genre from pop to metal to gospel. Other Yamaha nominations include: Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for legendary Yamaha artists Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder and Yamaha drummer Larry Mullen Jr. of U2; Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group for Keane and drummer Ben Wysocki of The Fray; Best Pop Instrumental Album for Yamaha bassist Nathan East and Yamaha pianist Bob James of Fourplay; Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal for Chris Martin and Will Champion of Coldplay, Ben Wysocki of The Fray, and Larry Mullen Jr. of U2; Best Metal Performance by Al Jourgensen and Mike Scaccia of Ministry; Best Rock Album for Steve Jordan of the John Mayer Trio; Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for Natalie Cole; Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album for drummer ?uestlove of The Roots; Best Gospel Song and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Kirk Franklin; Best Contemporary Blues Album for Keb’ Mo’ and Dr. John; Best Surround Album for Alan Parsons; Best Long Form Music Video for Terence Blanchard; Best Hard Rock Performance for Aaron North of Nine Inch Nails and Xavier Muriel of Buckcherry; and Best Metal Performance for Bill Kelliher and Troy Sanders of Mastodon.

The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 11, 2007, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS.

For more information on the extensive Yamaha product catalog and critically acclaimed Yamaha artists, please visit www.yamaha.com.