The Grammy Awards celebrate the biggest and the best in a year of music but just as important as our favorite artists (yeah, I’m talking about Kendrick Lamar sweeping this year’s show) is the songwriters behind the music we love.
ASCAP, the professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, hosted their annual pre Grammy brunch with a festive bash at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills on February 12th.
ASCAP Grammy nominees, executives and friends were all on hand to toast an epic year in music with brunch cocktails thanks to D’usse and Ciroc. The party was half outside underneath a white tent with chandeliers, and half inside where guests hit the red carpet and posed at the interactive photo booth. For many, the ASCAP Grammy brunch is a chance to reconnect with fellow songwriters, enjoy food like sliders and avocado rolls, and revel in another great year of music.
We’re big fans of Jazmine Sullivan who was nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance, Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album “Let It Burn” and “Stupid Girl,” both from her nominated album Reality Show. Sullivan stunned in colorful plunging dress with fringe sleeves – we chatted with the soulful singer on her nominees and return to music.
The Knockturnal: You look so gorgeous! Who are you wearing?
JS: Thank you. This is OTT a designer in Dubai.
The Knockturnal: So you took a long break, you come back and you’re nominated for 3 Grammys.
JS: It’s amazing. I feel so honored and so blessed. I put a lot of work in my album and its just amazing to be recognized for it.
The Knockturnal: And what made you want to come back, why now?
JS: It was just time. I felt it was time for me to come back and tell my story and I was a little nervous because I didn’t know if people were still going to want to hear what I had to say but I’ve received nothing but love so I’m really happy.
ASCAP’s mission is to obtain fair compensation for its members for the public performance of their works. Supporting artists is definitely something we can toast to. #cheersascap
Other notable attendees included ASCAP President Paul Williams, Lee Ann Womack (Best Country Song, “Chances Are”), James Fauntleroy (Album of the Year, To Pimp a Butterfly), Anna Wise (Album of the Year, To Pimp a Butterfly and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, “These Walls”), Dave Bassett (Best Rock Song, “Ex’s & Oh’s”), Jake Gosling (Record of the Year, Thinking Out Loud)