Rich DeRosa, right, the director of jazz composition and arranging studies for the UNT College of Music, has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Instrumental Composition category for his song “Neil” from the work “Lab 2015.” The composition was played by the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band, directed by Jay Saunders, a principal lecturer in the College of Music. DeRosa says the piece is a tribute to his mentor Neil Slater, the former director of the One O’Clock Lab Band. He says he is excited that this particular composition was nominated:
“If any of my compositions could be nominated, this is the one I would want,” DeRosa said. “It’s very flattering, and it’s a great honor. It’s really nothing that you’d ever expect. There are so many wonderful musicians who don’t get the opportunity to be nominated for awards. I’m very grateful for all chances to use my talent not only as a teacher at UNT, but as a musician. I appreciate any extra exposure that enables me to do what I love.”
Alumni who also were nominated for Grammy awards include:
Category: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Nominee: Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest
Affiliation: Alumni (Snarky Puppy)
Category: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Nominee: Wouter Kellerman
Affiliation: Alumni (Dave Love, executive producer)
Category: Best Large Jazz Ensemble
Nominee: Maria Schneider Orchestra
Affiliation: Alumnus (Dave Pietro, saxophone)
Category: Best Latin Jazz Album
Nominee: Elaine Elias' Made in Brazil
Affiliation: Alumni (bassist Marc Johnson)
Category: Best Choral Performance
Nominee: Laura Mercado-Wright
Affiliation: Alumni
Category: Best American Roots Song
Nominee: Don Henley and Stan Lynch, songwriters (Don Henley and Merle Haggard, performers)
Affiliation: Alumnus (Don Henley)
Category: Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Nominee: Brad Wells and Roomful of Teeth
Affiliation: Alumnus (Cameron Beauchamp is in Roomful of Teeth)
Category: Best Large Jazz Ensemble
Nominee: Gil Evans Project
Affiliation: Alumni (Dave Pietro, flute, alto flute, alto sax and clarinet; and James Chirillo, guitar)
The 58th annual Grammy Awards will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2016.
—Courtney Taylor, news promotions
Category: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Nominee: Wouter Kellerman
Affiliation: Alumni (Dave Love is the album’s executive producer)
Category: Best Latin Jazz Album
Nominee: Elaine Elias’ Made in Brazil
Affiliation: Alumni (bassist Marc Johnson)