February 23, 2000

All that jazz and Santana - THE COMMENTARY

By Joseph Planta

VANCOUVER - Jazz is, of course, recognised as America’s Classical music. Funny, because this year jazz hit high notes, in terms of Grammy nods, but the dame scoring is BC’s own Diana Krall. Krall is nominated in the high-level Best Album category for her latest album, When I Look In Your Eyes. Krall is nominated against such musical stars as, Backstreet Boys, Dixie Chicks and TLC. The fifth nominee is the guy who’ll win for sure, Santana. Carlos Santana, that is. He’s made it big in music this year. The legend has made a huge return to music this past year, as well as a return to our collective pop culture-consciousness.

10 nominations went Santana’s way this past year, and it looks like he’ll be doled out Grammy’s left and right. It’s not the first time the Grammy’s have gone to the top nomination getters. Last year multiple nod-getter, Lauryn Hill won multiple Grammys. Last year Celine Dion swept a couple categories, while Madonna won a number as well.

What to expect tonight? Expect Rosie O’Donnell to do something funny, perhaps memorable. Cher will be there in full force, as will be the teeny-bopper crowd with Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys and Ricky Martin. Sting will be in full force, picking up at least one Grammy, while folks like the Backstreet Boys will be hard pressed to take a gramophone. The entire show will be a musical grab bag, even touting a salute to Elton John. Don’t forget jazz will be a note hit hard, especially with Canada’s own Diana Krall tinkling the ivories and belting out a lavish tune.

The Grammy’s are tonight, tape-delayed on CBS at 8:00 PM.

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