LEOMINSTER — A Massachusetts-based jazz musician who filmed the music video for his latest single in the parking garage next to Eddy’s Music Co. on Mill Street in Fitchburg was just nominated for a GRAMMY. 

Smooth jazz aficionado Chuck Langford’s latest album Powerless is up for a GRAMMY in the best contemporary instrumental album category. Langford, 52, teaches at Monument Square Community Music School in Leominster. Over the course of his career, the saxophonist has released two albums, That’s Wassup in 2008 – which was also nominated for a GRAMMY – and the aforementioned Powerless, which came out on March 26, 2021.

“It’s exciting. I am going up against a lot of great musicians,” said Langford. “I don’t know how many there are but I know some of the past winners have been my heroes.”

Langford has cultivated a sound comparable to the conjunction of Vann Bruchfield and a low-key Chuck Mangione. His latest single from Powerless, “Dance with Me,” (the video of which was filmed in Fitchburg) came out on June 28 of this year. The song, like the rest of his music, is a mellow and slightly alliterative take on smooth jazz, complete with angular sax riffs.

Langford found out about the nomination on Friday, Oct. 22, when the president of Blue Canoe Records, the record company that put out Powerless, reached out to him. 

Langford said the company’s President Joseph Patrick Moore put a nomination in on his behalf. 

Powerless is in the early stages of the GRAMMY’s nominating process. Right now, it’s in the first round of voting by members of the recording academy. 

Langford said that the four final nominees are going to be announced in November.