The nominees for best classical album are Fantasia Brasileira, a collection of Brazilian music by the Orquestra de Cê¢mara Rio Strings; a disc of music by Glazunov recorded by Uruguayan conductor Jos_ Serebrier and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Cuban composer Leo Brouwer's two-CD recording of his own Homo Ludens; Cuban saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera's Ribera; and guitarist Sharon Isbin's recording of concertos by Rodrigo, Villa Lobos, and Ponce with the New York Philharmonic.

Serebrier and D'Rivera are both former winners. D'Rivera took home both the classical and jazz awards in 2003.

Nominees in the jazz category include percussionist Paoli Mejias, for Mi Tambor; Bob Mintzer, Giovanni Hidalgo, Andy Gonzšlez, David Chesky, and Randy Brecker, for The Body Acoustic; pianist Jos_ Negroni and his trio, for Piano/Drums/Bass; percussionist Poncho Sšnchez, for Poncho at Montreux, and Cuban pianist Bebo Vald_s, for Bebo de Cuba.