Los Angeles-based Carly Rae Jepsen of Mission, who studied for a year at Victoria’s Canadian College of Performing Arts, leads all hopefuls with five nods, but she’s not the only nominee with Island ties.
n Victoria jazz trombonist Ian McDougall netted a nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year for his album The Very Thought of You.
n Victoria producer Joby Baker will compete for recording engineer of the year for Suspiro en Falsete and Ruido en el Sistema, two songs from former Victoria resident Alex Cuba’s Ruido en el Sistema. The recording is also up for world music album of the year.
n Sidney piano player and singer Michael Kaeshammer is up for music DVD of the year for his concert film KAESHAMMERLIVE!
n Comox Valley singer-songwriter Helen Austin drew a nod in the children’s album of the year category for Always Be A Unicorn.
Mount Doug Secondary School grad Nelly Furtado is a contender for the pop album of the year trophy, thanks to her new album, The Spirit Indestructible, while Nanaimo native Diana Krall is expected to win vocal jazz album of the year for Glad Rag Doll.
A host of former University of Victoria students also drew nominations, including Hannah Georgas (songwriter of the year, alternative album of the year), Japandroids members Brian King and David Prowse (alternative album of the year), Scot McFadyen (music DVD of the year) and Clifton Murray of The Tenors (adult contemporary album of the year). The annual awards show is set for April 21 in Regina.
