Celebrating Bass Legends: Marcus Miller and Pino Palladino Shine at the 2026 Grammy Awards
When Marcus Miller posted a snapshot of renowned bassist Pino Palladino during the 2026 Grammy Awards, it transcended a mere backstage encounter; it symbolized a notable gathering of bass guitar legacy.
The phrase ”bass guitar” hardly encapsulates the monumental impact both musicians have made, influencing countless recordings and live performances throughout their careers.
A Night of Tribute and Celebration
Miller, a pioneer in the realms of funk and jazz fusion, shared the stage with Palladino, whose bass lines have been the backbone of genres ranging from pop to neo-soul. This special event was a tribute to the late Roberta Flack and the iconic D’Angelo.
“Tonight, I’m honored to perform with Ms. Lauryn Hill in a tribute to roberta Flack,” Miller announced on social media. “Lauryn will also pay homage to D’Angelo, and of course, the legendary Pino Palladino is here as well.”
Pino Palladino: A Fretless Pioneer
Palladino revolutionized the use of fretless bass in mainstream music during the 1980s.His impressive career includes notable collaborations, such as stepping in for the late John Entwistle in The Who and contributing to D’Angelo’s acclaimed 2000 album, Voodoo.
Reflecting on his connection with D’Angelo,Palladino shared with Bass Player,”I first met D’Angelo while working on a track for B.B. King’s deuces Wild.We instantly clicked. His singing inspired me to elevate my playing!”
He recounted, “When he saw me with my ’63 P-Bass, he exclaimed, ‘That’s a Bootsy bass, right?’ I mentioned that James Jamerson also played one, and he was thrilled.”
“Eventually, D’Angelo told me, ‘You have the sound I’m looking for – come play bass on Voodoo.’”
A Night to Remember
Following a medley of D’Angelo’s greatest hits, Hill transitioned into a heartfelt tribute to Roberta Flack, with whom Miller had collaborated in the early 1980s.
In a past interview with Red Bull Music academy, Miller reminisced, “I spent a couple of years in Roberta Flack’s band, where I met Luther Vandross. It was an amazing experience that taught me the art of playing ballads, understanding space, and knowing when to hold back.”
he continued, “Years later, I returned to work with Flack, this time as a writer and producer for her album Oasis. It was fulfilling to give back to someone who had given me so much.”
Miller also collaborated with Lalah Hathaway to cover Flack’s classic Killing Me Softly on his 2002 live album, Marcus Miller: Master of All Trades.
Grammy Highlights: Bassists in the Spotlight
This year’s Grammy Awards also celebrated other bass-driven talents. Christian McBride’s big band album, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, won the award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
Additionally, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan joined forces with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Slash to honor Ozzy Osbourne.
To top off the evening, Pino Palladino and guitarist Blake Mills took home the award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, for their project That Wasn’t A Dream.
