JAZZ

Surprises are hard to come by in the jazz winners for the 40th annual Grammy Awards. And, since the nominations included few unexpected entries, this has to be considered another year in which conservatism triumphed.

The only surprising result is trumpeter Randy Brecker’s win--despite competition from heavyweights Lee Ritenour and Grover Washington Jr.--in the contemporary jazz category.

Dee Dee Bridgewater’s more predictable choice in the best vocal arena is a well-deserved achievement for a jazz singer finally coming into her own.

In the two best instrumental categories, the sentimental award to the collaboration of Nicholas Payton and Doc Cheatham (who died last year at 91) was anticipated and merited, but it shut down an opportunity for the under-recognized pianist Tommy Flanagan. The best album award to guitarist Pat Metheny and bassist Charlie Haden within a strong grouping, however, correctly acknowledges the quality of their work.

Joe Henderson’s victory in the best large ensemble category reflects the impact of his current high visibility, but the gifted Bill Holman was the musical class of the category. Similarly, the Latin jazz win for Roy Hargrove recognizes a well-known trumpeter at the cost of such excellent, but less-known performers as Conrad Herwig and Carlos “Patato” Valdes.