Eldar Up For a Grammy

Former Kansas City resident Eldar received a Best Contemporary Jazz Album nomination for Re-Imagination. Winners will be announced at the 50th Grammy show on February 10.

The category's presumptive favorite is Herbie Hancock's tribute to Joni Mitchell. Yet Eldar's label seems to possess a great deal of clout, so don't count our homeboy out just yet.

In his two sets of performances in Kansas City this year, Eldar demonstrated his rapid artistic progression. It's also worth noting that a handful of other jazz artists recognized by the Grammys have recently performed in Kansas City. Dee Dee Bridgewater (Best Jazz Vocal Album) dazzled a small audience at the Gem Theater in October, Bill Charlap (Best Jazz Instrumental Album) and Joshua Redman (Best Jazz Instrumental Album) were featured in the Folly's jazz series in the last eight weeks. Furthermore, Kurt Elling (Best Jazz Vocal Album) hits the Folly next week. Clearly, local jazz promoters are prescient.

This footage from an Amsterdam television studio deftly captures Eldar's spirit. And look who's on drums- Kansas City's Todd Strait!