Grammys’ big night is so big, it’s a week

The 47th Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday is an event widely trumpeted as “the music industry’s biggest night.” But really, nobody’s content with reigning supreme for just one night, which is why Grammy fever runs high all week leading up to the CBS telecast Sunday at 8 p.m.

This week things kick into high gear with a raft of musical salutes, educational outreach efforts and benefit programs. None of them gets the international exposure that the televised performers and winners will receive Sunday, but they’re still considered a key part of the recording academy’s mission. Most are open by invitation only and most raise some money and/or awareness for the academy’s philanthropic divisions.

Because pop, rock, hip-hop and country music get the bulk of the attention Sunday, other genres will get more focused salutes this week, starting Tuesday with a jazz night at the Henry Fonda Theatre honoring composer, arranger and saxophonist Benny Golson, Grammy-winning vocalist and educator Jon Hendricks, and composer-pianist Horace Silver.

On Wednesday at UCLA, a program will be devoted to music industry mavericks, and classical music will be featured Thursday afternoon at the Biltmore Hotel. A gospel music evening will take place Thursday night at West Angeles Church of God in Christ recognizing Andrae Crouch, Bill and Gloria Gaither and Albertina Walker. Jazz will come to the fore again on Saturday with an ensemble performance by advanced high school players aboard a yacht in Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor.

On Friday, Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson receives the academy’s MusiCares Person of the Year award, for his musical and humanitarian accomplishments, in a dinner and concert at the Hollywood Palladium, where Neil Young, India.Arie, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Roots and others will perform Wilson’s songs.

Saturday also brings yet another opportunity to distribute awards. Lifetime achievement, trustees and technical Grammys will be handed out in the new ceremony, also at the Biltmore.

Following Sunday’s awards show, select attendees will move on to the 2005 Grammy Celebration Party, which will feature yet another award: the President’s Merit Award Salute to Industry Icons. The first honoree: Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun.

The best news for Grammy junkies: The activities don’t stop after Sunday. After Wednesday’s national Grammy Career Day program at USC, regional versions aimed at high school students get started Feb. 22 in Miami and continue through the year around the country. Get details at www.grammy.com, where every day is Grammy day.

*

-- Randy Lewis