The ECHO Jazz 2018 Award nominations have been announced by the German Recording Academy, and among the nominees this year are Nonesuch Records releases from Chris Thile, Brad Mehldau, and Tigran Hamasyan.

Mandolinist/singer Chris Thile and pianist Brad Mehldau are nominated for their duo debut album together, Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau—Thile in the Special Instruments category, and Mehldau in the Piano International category. The artists "come from different worlds but the same species," says the New York Times. "Mr. Thile is a progressive-bluegrass pacesetter; Mr. Mehldau is the most influential jazz pianist of the last 20 years. Both are team players." The Guardian exclaims: "Two very different musicians hit a remarkable rapport on this double album."

Tigran Hamasyan has also been nominated in the Piano International category, for his album An Ancient Observer. The album includes ten new compositions, two of which are based on Armenian melodies. Some are through-composed and completely written out, while others are composed with ample space for Hamasyan to improvise. He cites a wide range of influences—from Baroque dance to hip-hop grooves adapted to piano—and the sounds of his native country of Armenia are present, as always. DownBeat exclaims: "It's simply breathtaking." Hamasyan released a follow-up EP, For Gyumri, last month.

Winners will be announced around March 12, and the awards ceremony will take place in Hamburg on May 31. For additional details and the complete list of nominees, visit echojazz.de.