Composer Steve Reich and jazz legend Sonny Rollins will receive the 2007 Polar Music Prize May 21 in a ceremony in Stockholm. Reich was cited for his "unique ability to use repeats, canon technique and minimal variation of patterns to develop an entire universe of evocative music, endowed with immediate tonal beauty," while Rollins "has elevated the unaccompanied solo to the highest artistic level," according to organizers.
The Polar Music Prize is awarded annually based on nominations submitted by the board of the Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation, consisting of representatives from the late Anderson's family, the Swedish Society of Popular Music Composers (SKAP) and the Swedish Performing Rights Society (STIM).
John Legend, John Mayer and Corinne Bailey Rae will team for a performance of an as-yet-unannounced song during the Grammy Awards, to be handed out Feb. 11 at Los Angeles' Staples Center and broadcast live on CBS. Beyonce, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood will also play.
Blige leads the field of nominees with eight. The Chili Peppers earned six, while James Blunt, Dixie Chicks, Danger Mouse and Prince are among eight artists with five each.
Luna may have disbanded in 2004, but two of its members play on in Dean & Britta, the duo that will release its Zoe/Rounder debut, "Back Numbers," on Feb. 27. Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips share vocals on the set, which was recorded by veteran producer Tony Visconti. The 11-track albums features covers of Donovan's "Teen Angel" and Lee Hazlewood's "You Turned My Head Around."
Visconti also helmed the boards for Dean & Britta's duet set "Avventura" (Jetset) in 2002 amid their busy recording schedule with Luna.
The Polar Music Prize is awarded annually based on nominations submitted by the board of the Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation, consisting of representatives from the late Anderson's family, the Swedish Society of Popular Music Composers (SKAP) and the Swedish Performing Rights Society (STIM).
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
John Legend, John Mayer and Corinne Bailey Rae will team for a performance of an as-yet-unannounced song during the Grammy Awards, to be handed out Feb. 11 at Los Angeles' Staples Center and broadcast live on CBS. Beyonce, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood will also play.
Blige leads the field of nominees with eight. The Chili Peppers earned six, while James Blunt, Dixie Chicks, Danger Mouse and Prince are among eight artists with five each.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Luna may have disbanded in 2004, but two of its members play on in Dean & Britta, the duo that will release its Zoe/Rounder debut, "Back Numbers," on Feb. 27. Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips share vocals on the set, which was recorded by veteran producer Tony Visconti. The 11-track albums features covers of Donovan's "Teen Angel" and Lee Hazlewood's "You Turned My Head Around."
Visconti also helmed the boards for Dean & Britta's duet set "Avventura" (Jetset) in 2002 amid their busy recording schedule with Luna.
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
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