Grammys Approach, Protest Staged in Santa Monica

Disgruntled musicians continued their protest of the Santa Monica-based National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences this week, announcing plans to stage a counter concert in reaction to months-old news that 31 Grammy categories were eliminated from this year's award ceremony.

On Thursday, GrammyWatch, an organization that represents musicians, and Presente.org, an online Latino advocacy group, held a news conference and rally outside of NARAS offices on Olympic Boulevard to announce the upcoming Grammy-day protest.

“We are holding this concert to remind music fans about all the great music that has been eliminated from the Grammy's," said Bobby Matos, a spokesman for GRAMMY Watch. "It is part of NARAS’ mission to support the diversity of all American music. The current NARAS administration, under Neil Portnow, is failing that one.”

Here's the background, via Aaron Sankin, an associate editor at the Huffington Post:

The Grammys either ditched or consolidated about one-third of their over 100 categories in an effort to both tighten up the famously lengthy broadcast and make the awards seem less out of touch with the tastes of mainstream music consumers—something that was brought into sharp focus when relatively unknown jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding beat Justin Beiber in the "Best New Artist Category." (Which was totally deserved, by the way).

Local artists and politicos aren't the only ones upset with NARAS about the cuts. Many in the music community around the country have complained that the changes to were done without outside input and, because the majority of the cuts were directed at various ethnic music categories—particularly Latino music—that they are also discriminatory.

Those opposed to the elimination also argue that winning a Grammy boosts a musician's sales, anywhere from 50 to 100 percent, according to Forbes.

A NARA spokeswoman did not return Patch's messages seeking comment about the counter concert. 

The Not Those Awards All-Star Latin Jazz Jam will take place following a protest rally at Staples Center and will feature Ray Carrion and His Latin Jazz All Stars,  two-time Grammy winner Oscar Hernandez, multiple Grammy nominee John Santos, Bobby Matos, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez and Susie Hansen.

For more on the Grammy controversy:

• Breaking Down The Grammy Controversy on Forbes
• San Francisco Board Of Supervisors' Grammy Resolution Puts Pressure On Awards Show on Huffington Post
• The Grammy Bounce: How Much Is An Award Really Worth? on Forbes
• Latino's Grammy Hits & Disses on Huffington Post Latino