The Recording Academy announced its Special Merit Awards recipients today, and among this year’s honorees is jazz bassist and composer Charlie Haden.
In its official release on the awards, the Academy described Haden this way: “A three-time GRAMMY winner, Charlie Haden is an all-American jazz musician best known for his signature lyrical bass lines and his ability to liberate the bassist from an accompanying role. In addition to his groundbreaking work as an original member of the Ornette Coleman Quartet, he has collaborated with such jazz artists as Chet Baker, Ed Blackwell, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Billy Higgins, Art Pepper, and Archie Shepp. Throughout his five decade career, Haden has revolutionized the harmonic concept of bass playing and has covered such genres as free jazz, Portuguese fado and vintage country.”
Also being honored with Lifetime Achievement awards will be Glenn Gould, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Carole King, Patti Page, Ravi Shankar (who passed away yesterday) and the Temptations. In addition, Marilyn & Alan Bergman, Leonard & Phil Chess and Alan Livingston will receive Trustees Award honorees; and Ikutaro Kakehashi & Dave Smith and Royer Labs will get Technical Grammy awards.
