B'z guitarist Tak Matsumoto(松本孝弘) nominated for Grammy

The nominees for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards have been announced, and B'z member Tak Matsumoto/松本孝弘 (49) is on the list. His collaborative album with American guitarist Larry Carlton, titled "Take Your Pick," is one of the five works nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

"Take Your Pick" was released worldwide in June, and it charted at #2 in Japan in its first week. Carlton and Matsumoto also conducted a Japan tour together.

The album will be competing against entries from Gerard Albright, Kenny G, Robby Krieger, and Kirk Whalum.

Two other Japanese artists also received nominations. World-renowned pianist Mitsuko Uchida is in the running for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (with Orchestra) for her performance of Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 24 with The Cleveland Orchestra. Meanwhile, Kitaro is up for Best New Age Album with his "Sacred Journey Of Ku-Kai, Volume 4." He previously won a Grammy Award in the same category in 2001.

The Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on February 13, 2011.

Larry Carlton & Tak Matsumoto [Live]

Source: tokyograph.com