South African flautist Wouter Kellerman has been nominated for an award at next year’s 57th Grammy Awards.
Kellerman, along with renowned Indian composer and producer Ricky Kej, have been nominated in the Best New Age Album of the Year category for their collaborative album Winds of Samsara.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard New Age Charts and continued to be in the Top 10 for the next 12 weeks. In early October, Kellerman played to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall.
On being nominated, an ecstatic Kellerman said: “I am simply overwhelmed by this nomination.
“Winds of Samsara has transcended borders and cultural barriers. I feel very privileged to be in such good company.”
Previous Grammy Award winners from South Africa include Miriam Makeba, The Soweto Gospel Choir and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Joseph Shabalala’s isicathamiya group has won four Grammys over the years.
Kellerman won a South African Music Award in 2011 for Best Instrumental Album for Two Voices.
Over the past few years he has performed all over the world, including at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, and in Australia and Europe.
He was also part of the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup closing ceremony.
British newcomer Sam Smith and Beyoncé have the most Grammy nominations this year with five apiece.
With her nominations, Beyoncé made history as the most nominated female in Grammy history. She has won 17 Grammys so far.
Other nominees for awards include U2, Pharrell Williams, Iggy Azalea and Taylor Swift. The Grammy Awards take place on February 8 in the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
Kellerman confirmed that he would be attending. - The Star