Joakim and Eric are going to the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

When Bohuslän Big Band steps into the epicenter of the music world, they do so with pride, anticipation, and a great sense of wonder. The nomination in the category Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for the album Lumen not only marks international recognition, but also a historic moment for the band.

For both him and Eric, the joy is great.

“Wow, what a thing. It’s incredibly fun and we’re so proud of the collaboration with Danilo Pérez, and we’re looking forward to celebrating together with the other nominated artists,” says Eric.

“It feels completely unreal. I don’t think it will really sink in until we’re standing there on site. I think we should come home with a trophy,” says Joakim, laughing.

Members of the Recording Academy vote – and quality is the top priority

It is the members of the Recording Academy – professional musicians, producers, songwriters, engineers, and other music industry professionals – who vote to decide both the nominees and the winners of the Grammy Awards. The voting is not about sales figures or popularity; the music is judged on artistic quality.

“We’re very proud of the result. Many have noticed that the record is beautiful and like what we’ve done. The fact that it has also led to a nomination means that big names in the industry are noticing us,” says Eric.

“Being nominated is an enormous mark of quality,” Joakim adds.
He points out that names like Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Christian McBride Big Band and the WDR Big Band have over the years been nominated in the same category:
“We’re writing ourselves into big band history just by being on the same list.”

Networking for future collaborations

For Joakim and Eric, the trip is not just about taking part in one of the world’s biggest music award shows – it’s also about making valuable connections. During their days in Los Angeles, they plan to meet musicians, producers, and other industry professionals.

The goal is to open doors for future collaborations and to spread awareness of Bohuslän Big Band in new international contexts. Being able to meet in person, they say, is often crucial when new musical relationships are being built.

Behind the scenes at the world’s biggest music awards show

Besides the awards ceremony itself, Joakim and Eric are looking forward to seeing up close how the enormous production behind the Grammy Awards works.

“It’s going to be incredibly fun to go to the Grammy Awards. From a production perspective, it’s fascinating to see how everything works behind the scenes with such a large production,” says Eric.

The category in which Bohuslän Big Band is nominated will be awarded during the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, which takes place earlier the same day at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Here, the majority of this year’s categories are presented and the ceremonyis streamed via the Grammys’ official channels.

Later the same day, the major televised Grammy Awards ceremony is held at the Crypto.com Arena, where the most high-profile prizes are handed out – including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.

Eric and Joakim will also get to walk the red carpet.
“We’re not going there for the red carpet, of course, but it’ll be fun to see how everything works behind the scenes. It’s the same carpet that the world’s biggest artists walk on – and we’ll be walking there too as nominees. It feels unreal,” says Eric.