Ep 23. Grammy Salute To Music Legends 2018
- October 5, 2018
Great Performances season 45 episode 23 is titled "Grammy Salute To Music Legends 2018". This episode is a celebration of the Recording Academy's 2018 Special Merit Awards recipients. The show features remarkable performances and tributes by artists from all genres, including Tony Bennett, Alessia Cara, Andra Day, and Patti LuPone. The 2018 Grammy Salute To Music Legends is a two-hour televised event that was recorded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The episode begins with tributes to the Lifetime Achievement Award honorees, including jazz musician Dianne Reeves, funk band Parliament-Funkadelic, and the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The show features powerful performances by gospel legend Shirley Caesar, pop star Andra Day and jazz singer Kurt Elling. The audience is mesmerized by the tribute to Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, featuring Esperanza Spalding and Herbie Hancock.
A highlight of the show is the tribute to rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, performed by Gary Clark Jr. The blues guitarist does justice to classics like "Johnny B. Goode" and "Roll Over Beethoven". Another highlight is the posthumous salute to legendary soul singer and past Grammy nominee, Nina Simone. Ledisi performs the iconic song "Feeling Good", and the audience is transported back in time to the golden age of jazz.
The show also features a tribute to the Trustees Award honorees, including Jerry Herman, who wrote some of the most iconic musicals of all time, and music executive Neil Portnow. Patti LuPone performs a medley of Herman's greatest hits from "Hello Dolly!" to "Mame". The audience is also treated to a star-studded tribute to composer and arranger John Williams, famed for his work on movies like "Star Wars" and "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial". A highlight of the evening is the performance of "The Imperial March" by the LA Philharmonic, conducted by Williams himself.
Toward the end of the show, the audience is treated to a tribute to the Technical Grammy Award recipients. Among the honorees are engineer Denny Purcell, who mastered recordings from legends like Johnny Cash, and inventor Tom Dowd, who played a key role in the development of multitrack recording. The show closes with a moving tribute to Aretha Franklin, performed by Andra Day. Day's rendition of "Natural Woman", one of Franklin's most beloved songs, brings the audience to their feet.
Overall, Great Performances season 45 episode 23, "Grammy Salute To Music Legends 2018", is a showcase of some of the most influential musicians of all time. The talented performers do justice to the music and legacy of the Grammy Award honorees, making it a heartfelt evening that fans of all genres will appreciate.
