An El Pasoan has transformed her passion for music and research, along with her diverse roots, into a powerful album, earning her a nomination for the music industry’s highest honor — a Grammy.
Amanda Ekery authored a 60-page book accompanying her album “Árabe”, earning her a nod in the Grammy’s Best Album Notes category. The album notes are what used to be liner notes found in old records, which often included lyrics. According to Billboard, The Recording Academy’s album notes submissions follow precise rules: original writing “must contribute serious time and effort to writing the notes, as evidence by background research, reflection, analysis and explanation of context.”
The vocalist, composer, and educator explored her Syrian and Mexican roots in the album notes, examining the presence of Arabs in El Paso and the unexpected ways the two cultures intersect, like more than 4,000 shared words, vibrant cuisine, and a desert landscape that connects them.
“It’s very personal because I interviewed my family and I weaved all these personal stories and anecdotes into the album notes,” Ekery said. “It’s not like you’re reading an academic paper, but you’re learning something and it’s tied to personal family history and stories.”
Amanda Ekery authored a 60-page book accompanying her album Árabe, earning her a nod in the Grammy’s Best Album Notes category.
As a member of The Recording Academy, Ekery submitted “Árabe” for several categories, including best vocal jazz, packaging, engineering and album notes. Ekery is the only nominee in Best Album Notes who also performed her own music — typically, artists hire professional writers, she said
Ekery admitted she had to double-check her nomination to convince herself it was real.
“I was in my apartment at the kitchen table while (nominations) were being livestreamed on YouTube, but there were different livestreams, so I missed the one that was for my category,” she said. “I found a Variety article, so I did a search for my name and saw it, but I waited until the Grammy website posted it — I had to double check, I had to make sure.”
In her book, Ekery explored her Syrian and Mexican roots, examining the presence of Arabs in El Paso and the unexpected ways the two cultures intersect, like the more than 4,000 shared words, vibrant cuisine, and a desert landscape that connects them.
Upon verifying that she had been nominated, Ekerly shared the news with everyone who had contributed to the album, as well as with her family, whose influence was deeply felt throughout the project, along with her Borderland upbringing.
Ekerly began playing the piano at five and sang in local operas as a child. She also participated in the El Paso Youth Jazz Ensemble, playing flute, drums and piccolo. “A lot of things were happening in El Paso, and it really helped me have a really strong musicianship foundation,” she said.
Since then, she’s written music for bands, films, and off-Broadway theater. She’s also started non-profit El Paso Jazz Girls, a free program for middle and high school girls on how to write music — her way of giving back to the community that shaped her.
Amanda Ekery authored a 60-page book accompanying her album Árabe, earning her a nod in the Grammy’s Best Album Notes category.
As she carries El Paso’s spirit through her music, her Grammy outift will do the same.
Ekerly will be rocking “the most beautiful pair” of handcrafted Rocketbuster boots (Shaboozey wore a pair to the 2025 Grammys) and wearing a dress by Mexican American designer Celestino, a Texas native who works with recycled fabrics to create eco-friendly apparel.
While her outfit is ready to shine on the red carpet, one last task remains — crafting her speech.
“I don’t want to be superstitious, but I don’t have anything concrete yet because I’m not sure if I want to write it down,” Ekerly said. “I’m so excited, and it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I hope not, but it might be. Whatever happens, happens, I’m just happy to be there.”
Amanda Ekery at the University of Houston’s Mitchell Center for the Arts on Friday, April 5, 2024.
You can watch Ekery during the Grammy’s Premiere Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. MT on Sunday, Feb. 1. The ceremony will livestream on the Recording Academy YouTube page.
Watch Ekery performing “To Give,” a track on “Árabe,” below:
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso’s Amanda Ekery lands Grammy nomination for Best Album Notes