The world may watch pops stars at the Grammys from Staples Center Sunday, but there is plenty to be proud about in the world of jazz and classical music. A famed jazz pianist that has local roots was presented a Grammy for his arrangement in an album that was a tribute to pianist Oscar Peterson.Bill Cunliffe was awarded the 2009 Grammy in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category for his track “West Side Story Medley” in the album “Resonance Big Band Plays Tribute to Oscar Peterson”. Cunliffe is active locally. In addition to his performances at the Theater@Boston Court, he is the Composer-in-Residence at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena.
This is not Cunliffe’s first award for his efforts, but probably the best known. He has picked up many awards for his piano jazz efforts. Cunliffe also regularly performs with the Hamilton-Clayton Jazz group that were named Grammy winners in 2007 for their Telarc recording and often are featured at the Hollywood Bowl. Hamilton is a resident of South Pasadena, Clayton lives in Altadena.
Other past local Grammy winners include the Southwest Chamber Music that took home Grammys two years in a row in the Chamber Music category.
This year, the Best Classical Album was awarded to the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor, for its recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. The Best Chamber Music Performance Grammy was awarded to the Emerson String Quartet for its album “Intimate Letters”. The Emerson String Quartet is a regular favorite at the Coleman Chamber Concerts, one of Pasadena’s oldest classical music organizations.
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Cunliffe fans should also note that this Sunday -- February 7th -- a Cunliffe arrangement of Psalm 106 will debut at the 9:00 & 11:15 services ... written in honor of Lydia Wilkins' 106th birthday!
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