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MPB
star Gilberto Gil once again came up big at the 48th annual Grammy
awards last night in Los Angeles, CA by winning the 'Best Contemporary
World Album' category for the third time in the past ten years.
His
win, for the live recording 'Eletrácustico' also returned
Brazil to it nearly ordained position for the Grammy category,
which was awarded on an almost annual basis throughout the 90's.
'Eletrácustico'
was recorded at Rio de Janeiro's famed Canecão nightclub
- not far from the city's famous Copacabana beach - in 1994. The
14-track album features songs from Chico Buarque and John Lennon
along with many of Gil's most popular songs from decades past
and is also available as a concert length DVD.
In
addition to performing worldwide, Gilberto Gil also serves his
country as Brazil's Minister of Culture, and recently announced
the beginning of his 'Points of Culture' initiative, designed
to keep Brazilians living abroad connected to their homeland.
Brazil's
only other winner for this year's Grammy awards is Heitor Pereira,
who shared the Grammy for 'Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying
Vocalist' with fellow Brazilian music maker Gil Goldstein and
Billy Childs for trumpeter Chris Botti's duet with Sting on the
song 'What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?'
Better
known as Heitor TP, the Brazilian guitarist joined the pop group
Simply Red in the late 80's, helping to shape its signature Bossa-tinged
sound. He has also developed a career in creating movie and television
soundtracks.
Other
Brazilian nominations for the 2006 Grammy awards did not fare
as well when the balloting was finished. Monica Salmaso (nominated
for 'Best Jazz Vocal Album') and Mario Adnet/Paulo Jobim's 'Symphonic
Jobim' (nominated for 'Best Classical Crossover Album') fell short
in their bid for Grammy gold.
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