February 8, 2024
From WZUM: “The week after the Grammys - the showing for jazz was notable - although off the TV, being held at an afternoon ceremony before the big broadcast. A total of 94 Grammy Awards were handed out - see the list of winners at the link. -
There was a lot of notable music - nominated and winning. One project that we took special interest in was the restoration of a chamber music project from the late 1940’s by Pittsburgh’s Mary Lou Williams - the Zodiac Suite.
The project was highly acclaimed - and received a Grammy nomination in the category of “Best Classical Compendium” for Aaron Diehl and the Knights, the chamber music ensemble (Field 11 - Classical). While the recording did not bring home the Grammy, it did bring new attention to the Zodiac Suite.
We had the chance to talk with Aaron Diehl last fall about Mary Lou Williams, Aaron’s friendship with Mary’s close friend and Manager, Father Peter O’Brien (which led Aaron Diehl to learn more about Mary Lou Williams’ sacred music). We also talk about the chamber music ensemble “The Knights,” who took on the challenges of bringing Mary Lou’s 1940’s conception for the Zodiac Suite to this modern recording, today.”
