Neil Portnow News

Today marks the launch of the fifth annual GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares® Teens Make Music Contest

Today marks the launch of the fifth annual GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares® Teens Make Music Contest

A total of 25 music teachers from 25 cities across 17 states have been announced as semifinalists for the Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation®.

Bob Dylan will be honored as the 2015 MusiCares® Person of the Year on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, it was announced today by Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the MusiCares Foundation® and The Recording Academy®, and Bill Silva, Chair of the MusiCares Foundation Board.

The GRAMMY Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2015 GRAMMY Camp, GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session and GRAMMY Signature Schools programs for high school students and high school music programs.

The Recording Academy has issued a statement on the passsing of jazz legend Gerald Wilson. The composer, arranger, big-band leader and musician passed away on Monday in Los Angeles at the age of 96.

As BWW reported earlier this evening, comedian and Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams died this morning, August 11, 2014, of an apparent suicide. He was 63. The Recording Academy's President and CEO Neil Portnow just released the following statement on Williams' death.

Renowned conductor Lorin Maazel passed away yesterday, July 13th at the age of 84 due to complications of pneumonia.

Yesterday, Charlie Haden passed away at 76. He was one of the most respected bassists and jazz composers today. His legendary, groundbreaking work with Ornette Coleman in the 60's is just one highlight of this three-time Grammy winner's illustrious career.

'The Beatles: The Night That Changed America - A GRAMMY® Salute' has received six Emmy® Award nominations, and the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast has received two in recognition of outstanding production excellence.

Today, The Recording Academy has issued the following statement on the passing of Gerry Goffin.

Jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Horace Silver was one of the most popular and influential jazz musicians of the '50s and '60s. Widely regarded as the creator of the hard bop sound - a combination of R&B, gospel, and his unique piano style - he performed with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Stan Getz, Miles Davis, and Art Blakey, the latter with whom he founded the legendary Jazz Messengers.

Today, The Recording Academy issued the following statement on the passing of Ruby Dee

As part of its recent annual spring Board of Trustees meeting, The Recording Academy's Trustees approved a number of changes to the GRAMMY Awards process

The GRAMMY Foundation announced today that 167 talented high school students from 125 U.S. cities and 31 U.S. states have been selected as participants in the 10th annual GRAMMY Camp program.

As BWW reported earlier today, America's Poet Laureate Maya Angelou has passed away at the age of 86. The poet died last night, May 27th in a Winston-Salem, North Carolina hospital while recovering from an 'unexpected ailment'. She died surrounded by her family. Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, released the following statement today about Angelou...

MUSICARES MAP FUND BENEFIT CONCERT will honor Ozzy Osbourne, singer/songwriter and frontman for two-time GRAMMY®-winning band Black Sabbath, and Jeff Greenberg

Today, the Recording Academy and Latin Recording Academy issued a statement on the recent passing of musician Juan Formell of Los Van Van

UJA-Federation of New York will honor Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, at its Music Visionary of the Year Award Luncheon on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at The Pierre in Manhattan.

Lucy Hood, president and chief operating officer of the Television Academy passed away this week after a battle with cancer