Before Marsalis: Almeida
On April 11, Don Heckman wrote an article about Wynton Marsalis, saying “. . . he is the first musician to win Grammys in both the jazz and classical categories” (“Marsalis Credits Ellington, Fellow Musicians for Pulitzer”). Marsalis is extremely talented, but he definitely is not the first to win in both categories.
If you check your records, I am sure you will find that Laurindo Almeida had won at least six Grammys. Since he is no longer living, I thought I would bring this information to your attention.
DOROTHY CUNNINGHAM
Los Angeles
Editor’s note: Almeida indeed won Grammy Awards in both the classical and jazz categories.
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