Phila. represented in Grammy nominations

Philadelphia is represented in the Grammy nominations released last week. Artists ranging from jazz to R&B to hip hop — even in-betweeners — are among those in the running for an award.

Earlier this year, Temple University commissioned one of its former professors, Bill Cunliffe, to write something that could be played by both the university’s orchestra and jazz ensemble.

Cunliffe, now living in Los Angeles, went one further and threw Latin music in the mix, resulting in an 18-minute movement called “Fourth Stream – La Banda,” which is nominated for best original instrumental composition.

“The Latin eighth note feel is more similar to a classical feel,” said Cunliffe, who wrote a series of variations on a theme. “I always feel that classical and Latin are a better fit, because of the rhythmic unity.”

Also nominated for Grammy awards are local heroes “The Roots” — four times for their work with R&B singer John Legend. But the house band for the Jimmy Fallon Show also was nominated for its own rap album, “How I Got Over.”