Berklee Alumni Win Big at 58th Grammy Awards

Twelve alumni took home thirteen trophies at the 2016 Grammy Awards. 

February 16, 2016

Twelve Berklee alumni were honored with thirteen Grammy Awards on music's biggest night for their outstanding contributions to some of last year's top releases. Such hits include Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars's "Uptown Funk," which was named Record of the Year and features the work of producer Jeff Bhasker '99 and engineer/mixer Josh Blair '99. Hamilton the Musical, which features the work of principal soloist Jasmine Cephas Jones '09 and producer Alex Lacamoire '95, was named Best Musical Theater Album. Bhasker was also named Producer of the Year in addition to his award for Record of the Year. 

The alumni winners were recognized for their contributions spanning genres, from pop, jazz, and hip-hop to R&B, theater, and film. Awards were presented to alumni representing a variety of fields; in addition to performance, alumni were recognized for their excellence in production, engineering, and composition. To date, 107 Berklee alumni have won 266 Grammy Awards. 

A full list of alumni Grammy Award winners follows:

Category 1 - Record of the Year: "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Jeff Bhasker '99, producer; Josh Blair '99, engineer/mixer. 

Category 18 - Best Traditional R&B Performance: "Little Ghetto Boy" by Lalah Hathaway '94

Category 23 - Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "These Walls" by Kendrick Lamar featuring Bilal, Thundercat, and Anna Wise '10

Category 32 - Best Jazz Vocal Album: For One to Love by Cécile McLorin Salvant. Todd Whitelock '89, engineer. 

Category 33 - Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Past Present by John Scofield '73

Category 38 - Best Gospel Album: Covered: Alive in Asia [Live] by Israel and NewBreed. Justin Raines '06, bassist/member of NewBreed; Kevin Camp '07, producer. 

Category 49 - Best Blues Album: Born to Play Guitar by Buddy Guy. Tom Hambridge '83, producer.

Category 57 - Best Musical Theater Album: Hamilton. Jasmine Cephas Jones '09, principal soloist; Alex Lacamoire '95, producer. 

Category 59 - Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: Birdman, composed by Antonio Sánchez '97

Category 69 - Producer of the Year (non-classical): Jeff Bhasker '99

 

Liz Lupton is a manager of media relations. Media inquiries: llupton@berklee.edu