Grammy Salute to Classical and Jazz

GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music Honors Lang Lang and Earl Wild

GRAMMY Salute To Jazz Pays Tribute to Legends Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner

Santa Monica, CA -- The Recording Academy will spotlight the classical and jazz genres with special events held during GRAMMY Week. The GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music and GRAMMY Salute To Jazz events celebrate musical styles and honorees that have made significant contributions to our culture. Each event will feature live performances and a special presentation of The Recording Academy President's Merit Award to accomplished artists in honor of their professional achievements. This year's GRAMMY Salute To Classical honorees are Lang Lang and Earl Wild. The GRAMMY Salute To Jazz honorees are Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, from 8 - 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

“In continuing our 50-year history of recognizing musical excellence, we are proud to honor great talent whose artistry has helped shape and evolve these important genres," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “These events during GRAMMY Week are a true celebration of music as they bring legends together with those that will continue to ensure these genres remain a vital part of our culture. We are thrilled to pay homage to such dynamic artists and celebrate their influential music."

The GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music will honor two extraordinary pianists, Lang Lang and Earl Wild. At only 25 years old, current GRAMMY nominee Lang Lang has performed to sold-out audiences around the world. He founded the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, which is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians. A GRAMMY winner and legendary pianist, Wild became the first artist to perform a piano recital on US television. He has recorded more than 40 albums and celebrated his 90th birthday in 2005 with a concert tour that culminated with a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

This event will take place for the first time at the renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, with a reception, special presentation and performances by the honorees from 12 - 3 p.m. The President's Merit Award for outstanding achievement will be presented to these prolific musicians for their significant contributions to classical music and the community at large.

Legendary jazz greats Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner will be honored at GRAMMY Salute To Jazz. Rollins is a two-time GRAMMY-winning tenor saxophonist and 2004 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. He emerged at the height of the bebop jazz movement, and his illustrious career has consisted of more than five decades of recording. Since 2005 he has recorded on his own record label, Doxy Records. Five-time GRAMMY-winning Tyner is a jazz pianist whose style has become one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised music. He has released nearly 80 albums and in 2007 formed his own record label, McCoy Tyner Music, in partnership with the Blue Note Jazz Club.

The presentation of the President's Merit Awards to Rollins and Tyner will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, from 7 - 10 p.m. at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles and will feature a cocktail reception, live performances and appearances by the honorees and the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards -- the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music -- The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture.