Benson And Copland Submit Jazz Album For Grammy Bid
Musicians Ray Benson and Marc Copland have submitted their album In the Blink of an Eye for Grammy consideration.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Jazz
Ray Benson and Marc Copland are seeking Grammy recognition for their album, In the Blink of an Eye. The project has been submitted for consideration in both the Best Jazz Performance and Best Jazz Vocal Album categories.
Why it matters
The submission highlights a collaborative project built on personal family ties and decades of musical experience. It marks a creative departure for Benson, who is best known for his long-running tenure leading Asleep at the Wheel.
Ray Benson has led the band Asleep at the Wheel for over 55 years. The new album was recorded entirely through live performances at the Bismeaux Barn studio without the use of charts or set arrangements.
The players
Ray Benson
He is a longtime musician who has led the band Asleep at the Wheel for over five decades.
Marc Copland
He is a collaborative jazz artist who joined Ray Benson on the album In the Blink of an Eye.
The details
The album serves as a culmination of the artists' long-standing musical careers. By utilizing an improvisational recording process at the Austin-based Bismeaux Barn, the duo captured a raw, live sound intended for their jazz performance entries.
Timeline
In 1974, Asleep at the Wheel moved its base of operations to Texas.
Ray Benson was named Texas State Musician in 2004.
Benson received the Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Benson was named Texan of the Year in 2011.
Benson was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2025.
Industry Dynamics
This submission follows the established administrative pattern required for musicians to enter the Grammy Awards' Best Jazz Performance category. It positions these veteran artists within the competitive landscape of the annual recording industry awards season.
Listeners can anticipate the potential inclusion of the album in Grammy-sanctioned playlists if the submission is successful. Following the award cycle will dictate when and how the recording receives wider promotional visibility in the jazz category.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates how veteran artists leverage long-standing musical partnerships to explore new genres like jazz. Musicians often utilize their professional network and historical experience to gain consideration in new award categories.
Further reading
For more on local music, see the Jazz section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
