Three alumni of Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music (HSOM) have been nominated for four Grammys in the Jazz and Composing/Arranging categories.
Jay Coble ’81 (trumpet), Jack Wilkins ’82 (tenor saxophone) and Matt Vance ’91 (baritone saxophone) are members of the 18-piece jazz ensemble Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge. The Tampa-based group’s new album Whispers on the Wind received two nominations in the Jazz category: Best Improvised Jazz Solo for the song “Can’t Remember Why,” and Best Large Jazz Ensemble.
The album was also nominated for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for the songs “Warped Cowboy” and “All Hat, No Saddle,” respectively. Whispers on the Wind is the ensemble’s sixth album and the third to receive Grammy nominations.
The winners of the 60th Grammy Awards will be announced Sunday, January 28, 2018.
