The best and brightest of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles Chapter gathered in Beverly Hills Jan. 28 for the group’s 2023 GRAMMY Nominee Celebration. With over 300 nominations this year, the event was full of joy, pride, and love for music.
Guests mingled at members-only social club Spring Place, enjoying a brunch buffet of pastries and fresh juice and fruit, as well as omelets and waffles made to order. The bar was open, leading one attendee to quip, "You know it’s a good day when you’re drinking champagne before noon." Guests were also treated to tunes from DJ R Tistic, photo opps courtesy of Getty and Hypno, and swag bags full of goodies, including cards from co-presenting sponsor Hallmark Mahogany.
As attendees — who were nominated for everything from Album Of The Year to Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album — buzzed around the two-story, indoor-outdoor space, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. stepped to the mic to deliver a rousing address, telling members that, as a songwriter and producer himself, he knows the "excitement and anticipation" of being a GRAMMY nominee. "That [honor] is something that will stay with you your entire life," Mason said. "Some of you will win, too, and then you’ll be GRAMMY winners for the rest of your lives."
Multiple attendees were feted for their nominations in the coveted Album Of The Year GRAMMY Award, including songwriter Cherdericka, who received the nod for her work on Beyoncé’s Renaissance. Songwriter Emily Warren was also in attendance to celebrate her work on Lizzo’s Special, while Bianca Atterberry and Tiara Thomas celebrated their work on Mary J. Blige’s Good Morning Gorgeous. Paris and Amber Strother came to celebrate their work on Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres, as did Steve Churchyard, engineer/mixer on Adele’s 30.
Additional nominated guests included Sara Davis, who is up for a Song Of The Year golden gramophone for her work on Gayle’s viral hit "abcdefu." The team behind Doja Cat’s Record Of The Year-nominated Woman was also well represented, with producers Linden Jay and Aynzli Jones and engineer Jesse Ray Ernster rolling through.
Other notable attendees included Recording Academy President Panos A. Panay, Los Angeles Chapter Executive Director Qiana Conley, Chapter Board Of Governors members Peter Asher, Lynne Earls, Claudia Brant, Sara Gazarek, Loretta Munoz, Phylicia Fant, and Nicole Plantin. Recording Academy National Trustees Cheche Alara, Julia Michels and Evan Bogart were also in attendance.
Reflecting on the significant number of nominees, Mason called Los Angeles "the center of what’s going on in music." He reminded members that the GRAMMY Awards not only "lift the music industry" and laud its accomplishments, but also ensures that it will remain a "healthy, thriving ecosystem" for its participants.
"When people come into the business, we want to make sure they get paid a fair wage, and that they can get help if they need it," Mason continued. "There’s a support system that will look out for music people if they fall on hard times, and there’s an organization like the Academy that’s going to help educate and teach the next generation of people about instruments, because if we’re not thinking about this stuff, we’re going to lose a generation of creators."
Chapter Board Of Governors Officer MAJOR. agreed with many of Mason’s sentiments, telling everyone in the room to "look around, because what you see is success in real time." MAJOR. then urged non-Academy members in attendance to join the organization, saying "we have a place for you." He also led a moment of silence for the "working creatives who have made their transition" over the past year, reminding the room that, though those people may not be around anymore, "their music still lives. Their legacy still lives."
Qiana Conley offered brief remarks and thank yous to co-presenting sponsors Hallmark Mahogany and JP Morgan Wealth Management and official sponsors Spring Place Beverly Hills, Black Exclusive, and HYPNO. MAJOR. Then hopped on the mic once more, asking the room to raise a glass to the nominees, saying that, on behalf of everyone in attendance, "we wholeheartedly congratulate you."
Everyone can offer nominees their own form of congratulations by watching the 2023 GRAMMYs this Sunday, Feb. 5. The 2023 GRAMMYs will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+.