YO-YO MA Receives Grammy Nomination For SONGS OF JOY AND PEACE By Sony Masterworks

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Sony Masterworks) - YO-YO MA has been honored with a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Classical Crossover Album for his holiday album SONGS OF JOY AND PEACE. On the album, Ma collaborates with an eclectic combination of world-renowned artists like James Taylor (Here Comes the Sun), Alison Krauss (Wexford Carol), Renee Fleming (Touch the Hand of Love), Diana Krall (You Couldn't be Cuter), Joshua Redman (My One & Only Love), Sergio and Odair Assad (Vassourinhas), Dave Brubeck and Matt Brubeck (Concordi Laetitia), Chris Botti (My Favorite Things), and Dave Brubeck, Paquito d'Rivera, and Matt Brubeck (Joy to the World).

Songs Of Joy And Peace propelled to No 1 on Billboard's Classical charts and remained in that spot for 3 weeks. It spent a total of 45 weeks on the charts. It debuted at No 41, and peaked at No 20, on the Top 200 Album chart, marking Ma's highest Billboard Top 200 Album Chart debut and peak ever.

Of the Grammy nomination, Alex Miller, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Sony Masterworks says, "This album is very special to us and we are thrilled that it is nominated, particularly as we celebrate Yo-Yo's 30th anniversary with the company."

Ma, who was recently appointed by President Obama to serve on the President's Committee On The Arts And Humanities, has recorded over 75 albums and has won 16 Grammy Awards. In celebration of his 30th anniversary with the company Sony has released Yo-Yo Ma: 30 Years Outside The Box - a 90 CD box set containing almost every CD that Ma has ever recorded (including Songs Of Joy And Peace) in addition to a hardcover book with extensive liner notes, photos and more.

The album was produced by Steven Epstein who is also nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Producer, Classical.

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