collier

André 3000’s “New Blue Sun,” a trippy jazz LP by the Outkast rapper-turned-flautist, is nominated for album of the year, as is “Djesse Vol. 4” by Jacob Collier, the quirky English multi-instrumentalist recently seen playing piano behind Joni Mitchell during her latest comeback concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.

“I think voters respect the excellence and the musicianship and the craftsmanship that go into those records,” Mason said of the nods for Collier and André 3000.

Jones also nurtured a new generation of artists, including Grammy-winning British musician Jacob Collier.

Fascinating to hear too of course: For all the ways in which Mitchell is identified with the folky acoustic guitar, the smokiness of her singing at this age is framed beautifully by Mills’ electric playing; Collier was essential as well on piano, not least during a stunning “Both Sides Now” that found a kind of ecstasy in surrender.

They have lost big players in Andre 'the Giant' Esterhuizen, Will Collier and Louis Lynagh and have vowed to invest in the talented youngsters coming through to give them a better shot at competing on two fronts.