First Singaporean nominated for Grammy falls short
LOS ANGELES – The first Singaporean to be nominated for a Grammy came up short on Sunday, with guitarist Arun Shenoy losing out to top veteran trumpeter Chris Botti for best pop instrumental album.
Shenoy, who was born in the southern Indian state of Karnataka before moving to Singapore, received a Grammy nomination for his debut album “Rumbadoodle,” which he recorded during live performances around the world.
Shenoy has described his guitar work as a new perspective on gypsy rumba flamenco, merging the genre with other global influences.
The Grammy ultimately went to “Impressions” by Botti, whose pop-influenced jazz works had won him four previous nominations.
The other contenders in the category – saxophonist Dave Koz, for a live album recorded in Tokyo, and guitarist Larry Carlton – also had previous Grammy nominations.
