Two sophomore albums from groups from Israeli musicians’ bands have received nominations for the upcoming 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
The Anat Cohen Tentet, fronted by Israeli jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen, received a Grammy nomination in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category for “Triple Helix.”
Southern Avenue, a Memphis-based soul/blues/R&B band cofounded by Israeli guitarist Ori Naftaly, received a Grammy nomination in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category for “Keep On.”
Commissioned by New York’s Carnegie Hall and Chicago’s Symphony Center for live world premieres earlier in 2019, “Triple Helix” features a centerpiece three-movement concerto composed by Cohen’s longtime collaborator and Tentet musical director Oded Lev-Ari.
This is the third Grammy nomination for Cohen, one of three noted musical siblings from Tel Aviv. Her 2017 albums recorded in Brazil, “Outra Coisa” and “Rosa Dos Ventos,” received nominations in the Best Latin Jazz and Best World Music albums categories, respectively.
Naftaly, 31, originally went to Memphis in October 2012 with his Ori Naftaly Band to represent Israel at the annual International Blues Challenge. The band became the first Israeli act to make it to the event’s semifinals and sold more CDs than did any other contestant in the challenge.
A year later, Naftaly relocated to Memphis. In 2015, he and gospel-singing sisters Tierinii and Tikyra Jackson joined forces to create Southern Avenue. The band was signed by Concord Music’s Stax Records and released its self-titled debut in 2017. “Keep On” came out in May 2019.
The 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony will take place January 26 in Los Angeles.
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