State performers among Grammy nominees
Contemporary Christian singer Danny Gokey, “La La Land” composer Justin Hurwitz, synth-pop duo Sylvan Esso, Florentine Opera and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra producer Blanton Alspaugh and Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo are among the nominees for the 60th Grammy Awards with Wisconsin ties.
Among them, Hurwitz, who graduated from Nicolet High School, is the most likely winner, after taking home two Oscars, for original score and best song (“City of Stars”) for “La La Land.” Tuesday, he added four Grammy nominations for “La La Land”: for best compilation soundtrack for visual media; best score soundtrack for visual media; best song written for visual media for “City of Stars”; and best arrangement, instrument and vocals for the movie’s opening number, “Another Day of Sun.”
Hurwitz trails the nominations leaders at this year’s Grammys. Rapper Jay-Z leads the pack with eight nominations, while hiphop pace-setter Kendrick Lamar has seven and singer Bruno Mars has six.
Among other Wisconsin-connected Grammy nominees announced Tuesday, Gokey, the Milwaukee native who shot to fame during his third-place finish on “American Idol” in 2009, received his first-ever nomination, for best contemporary Christian music album for “Rise.”
Sylvan Esso, whose producer Nick Sanborn was active in the Milwaukee music scene, has its sophomore album, “What Now,” nominated for best Dance/Electronic Album.
Alspaugh won a Grammy for producer of the year (classical) in 2013 for his work with the Florentine and Milwaukee Symphony’s recording of “Davis: Rio de Sangre.” He was nominated in the category again Tuesday, in part for his work with the MSO and Florentine’s recording of “Aldridge: Sister Carrie.”
Meanwhile, Ruffalo, a Kenosha native, is up for his first Grammy — for best spoken-word album for the audiobook “Our Revolution: A Future to Believe” with Bernie Sanders.
Nominees for album of the year include Jay-Z for “4:44”; Childish Gambino for “Awaken, My Love”; Lamar, for “Damn”; Lorde, for “Melodrama”; and Mars, for “24K Magic.”
Song of the year nominees included “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber; “4:44” by Jay-Z; “Issues: by Julia Michaels; and “1-800-273-8255” by Logic featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid.
For a complete list of nominees, go to jsonline.com/music.