Putin pal is heading for a Grammy nomination

There is growing disquiet at the appearance on the jazz longlist for Grammy nominations of a musician who has regularly appeared with Vladimir Putin and endorsed his first Crimea proxy war in 2014.

The saxophonist Igor Butman holds both Russian and US passports. Bill Clinton once called him ‘my favourite living saxophone player’. Wynton Marsalis calls him ‘my brother’. Vladimir Putin calls him ‘my friend’.

In 2014 Butman issued this statement in support of Kremlin annexxation plans for Crimea.
In the days when the fate of our countrymen in Crimea is being decided, Russian cultural figures cannot remain indifferent cold-hearted observers. Our shared history and shared roots, our culture and its spiritual sources of our fundamental values and language have always united us. We want the commonality of our peoples and our cultures to have a strong future. That is why we firmly declare and reiterate support for the position of President of the Russian Federation in regards to Ukraine and Crimea.

Butman, 61, is longlisted for a Grammy for a track called ‘Only Now’.