Jazzmeia Horn is an artist to keep an eye — and ear — on.
The Texas native has been dubbed a "singer to watch out for" and her GRAMMY-nominated debut album, 2017's A Social Call, was described as striking "a deft balance between mid-century jazz and contemporary neo-soul" by Downbeat Magazine.
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Horn's career has been on an impressive upward trajectory since she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2013. Two years later, she captured the top honor at the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition, which is widely considered an important boost to aspiring jazz artists. As a result of the Monk award, Horn earned a recording contract with Concord Music Group.
Going back even further, while she was in high school, Horn received a big career bump via her participation as a GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session choir member in 2009. As a member of the choir, Horn performed at various GRAMMY Week events surrounding the 51st GRAMMY Awards, including the MusiCares Person of the Year gala and the GRAMMY Celebration after-party.
Now, nearly a decade later, Horn has added another accolade to her résumé: 60th GRAMMY Awards nominee. Issued by Concord, A Social Call is in the running for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
"I started to scream and dance and I got really excited!" says Horn when she learned of the news. "Somebody came and knocked on the door, because I was in a hotel, and she said, 'Is everything OK? People are reporting there was screaming in the room.'"
Mixing vintage and contemporary jazz sounds, Horn's 10-track debut bobs and weaves gracefully through standards such as "I Remember You", anthems such as "Afro Blue" and even choice R&B sides previously interpreted by the likes of Mary J. Blige and the Stylistics, "I'm Going Down" and "People Make The World Go Round." And of course, Horn's sparkling soprano ties it all together.
Horn's prowess will be on display on GRAMMY Sunday as the 26-year-old is set to perform at the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, which will announce GRAMMY winners in more than 70 categories.
Outside of her performance, Horn has one fellow 60th GRAMMY nominee she is hoping to meet.
"I hope I get to run into some of my [favorite artists at the GRAMMYs], someone like Ledisi."