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Arcade Fire, Mavis Staples, Ray LaMontagne, Esperanza Spalding, The Black Keys Among Grammy Winners

Mavis Stapes and album producer Jeff Tweedy- Photo by Spencer Tweedy

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards took place last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. While Lady Gaga arrived inside an egg, one musical highlight was Bob Dylan’s performance of “Maggie’s Farm” backed by Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers. The version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” delivered by Norah Jones, John Mayer, Keith Urban was noteworthy as well. As for the awards themselves, Esperanza Spalding, surprised many by taking the Best New Artist category, which also featured Justin Bieber, Drake, Florence & The Machine and Mumford & Sons. Mavis Staples won her first ever Grammy, receiving Best Americana Album for You Are Not Alone. Album Of The Year was Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs while Béla Fleck won Best Contemporary World Music Album for Throw Down Your Heart , Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks and Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs received Best Contemporary Folk Album for God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise. Jeff Beck was honored twice, for Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“Nessun Dorma”) and Best Rock Instrumental Performance (“Hammerhead”) while the Black Keys received both Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (“Tighten Up”) and Best Alternative Music Album ( Brothers ). An abbreviated list of winners appears below.

Select Grammy Winners

Best New Artist
Esperanza Spalding

Album Of The Year
The Suburbs Arcade Fire

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
“Tighten Up” The Black Keys

Best Alternative Music Album
Brothers The Black Keys

Best Americana Album
You Are Not Alone Mavis Staples

Best Contemporary Folk Album
God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs

Best Bluegrass Album
Mountain Soul II Patty Loveless

Best Traditional Folk Album
Genuine Negro Jig Carolina Chocolate Drops

Best Contemporary World Music Album
Throw Down Your Heart , Africa Sessions Part 2: Unreleased Tracks Béla Fleck

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Living Proof Buddy Guy

Best Rock Song
“Angry World” Neil Young

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
“Imagine” Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare

Best Pop Instrumental Performance
“Nessun Dorma” Jeff Beck

Best Rock Instrumental Performance
“Hammerhead” Jeff Beck

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
“Helter Skelter” Paul McCartney

Best Hard Rock Performance
“New Fang” Them Crooked Vultures

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
“Hang On In There” John Legend & The Roots

Best R&B Album
Wake Up! John Legend & The Roots

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
“As She’s Walking Away” Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson

Best Country Instrumental Performance
“Hummingbyrd” Marty Stuart

Best Contemporary Jazz Album
The Stanley Clarke Band The Stanley Clarke Band

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
“A Change Is Gonna Come” Herbie Hancock, soloist

Best Musical Album For Children
Tomorrow’s Children Pete Seeger With The Rivertown Kids And Friends

Best Long Form Music Video
When You’re Strange (The Doors)