Classical composer Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of the leading Canadian Grammy nominations this year, and other homegrown talent has also performed well.
The Montreal native’s five nominations in four classical music categories put him in a tie with Serban Ghenea, who is expected to win the best of the year for his remix work on Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous.” good record.
Born in Romania, Ghenea immigrated to Canada as a young man and went on to make a name for himself in the music industry, winning 19 Grammy Awards during his career.
Nézet-Séguin’s nominations include a nomination for best classical compendium for “Ukrainian Concert” and two nominations in the opera recording category – “Aucoin: Eurydice” and “Blanchard: Fire Shut Up in My Bones”.
Other major nominees this year include Matthew Samuels-born Toronto-based producer Boi-1da, who follows him with four nominations, including two for Album of the Year, for Beyoncé’s ” The Renaissance” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and Strider.”
The hit singer, who rose to fame on songs with Eminem, Drake and Kardinal Offishall, was also nominated for producer of the year, non-classical and best rap song for “Churchill Downs” from Jack Harlow’s “Churchill Downs.”
Drake received three nods, despite boycotting the Grammys in recent years by not submitting his work. He still managed to get a mention in the Album of the Year category for his contribution to the song “Heated” on Beyoncé’s nominated album.
The Toronto rapper also received two nominations for best rap song, one for his Harlow song, which he shares with Samuels, and another for his appearance on Future’s single “Wait For U.”
Four-time Grammy winner Michael Bublé’s latest, “Higher,” is one of the contenders for a traditional pop vocal album, while DJ and producer Kaytranada’s “Intimidated,” a collaboration with HER, is poised for a dance/electronic recording. The Montreal star, who recently opened for The Weeknd, already has two Grammy Awards for 2021.
Bryan Adams was nominated in the Best Rock Performance category for “So Happy It Hurts.”
Arcade Fire’s “We” received the nod for Best Alternative Music Album, a vote of support in the music world for the Montreal band pushing ahead with a tour during difficult times. Frontman Win Butler faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies, saying all sex acts were between consenting adults.
Winnipeg-born mixing engineer Jesse Ray Ernster was nominated for Record of the Year for his work on Doja Cat’s “Woman.”
In the Album of the Year category, Adele’s 30 nominations include remixers Ghenea and Shawn Everett from Bragg Creek, Alberta, and Vancouver-based producer Tobias Jesso Jr.
Meanwhile, Adele’s “Easy On Me” landed prolific Montreal film director Xavier Dolan and Quebec producer Nancy Grant nominations for best music video.
Montreal’s Allison Russell was nominated for Best American Roots Performance for her contribution in “The Prodigal Daughter” with Aoife O’Donovan.
In the Best Musical Film category, Justin Bieber was nominated along with the team behind his “Our World” feature-length concert film, while Neil Young was a contender for “The Barn of Band Brotherhood,” a retrospective. Recording of the documentary Neil Young & Crazy Horse album “Barn”.
The creators put together a Grammy Award-winning project celebrating the late Toronto legendary pianist Glenn Gould. “The Goldberg Variations – The Complete Unreleased 1981 Studio Sessions” won Best Historical Album.
The 65th Annual Grammy Awards will be hosted by Trevor Noah and air on Citytv and CBS on February 5th.
—David Friend, Canadian Press
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