When it comes to Grammy time, Field 4 is the primary domain of this publication, with its focus on Jazz, Traditional Pop, Contemporary Instrumental & Musical Theater. I’m going pick my winners for most of the Field 4 categories below.
But before getting into that, let’s scroll back to Field 3: R&B, Rap & Spoken Word Poetry. Because there, among nominees including Queen Sheba, Marc Marcel, Omari Hardwick & Anthony Hamilton and Mad Skillz, is an album discussed in these pages in late July 2025, Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends at Treepeople. We’re rooting for these artists, as you might figure, but we’re hoping just as much for the International Anthem label to take home a win
Category 30: Best Jazz Performance
– “Noble Rise,” Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Immanuel Wilkins & Mark Whitfield
– “Windows – Live,” Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
– “Peace Of Mind/Dreams Come True,” Samara Joy
– “Four,” Michael Mayo
– “All Stars Lead to You – Live,” Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach, Tom Scott, Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth & Sam Weber
To me this is a choice between Lakecia Benjamin, whose compelling track reveals a striking level of harmonic subtlety, and Michael Mayo, who brings his utterly distinct musical persona to a funky, polyrhythmic treatment of the Miles Davis classic (composed by Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, not to be confused with our friend Will Vinson).
Category 31: Best Jazz Vocal Album
– Elemental, Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
– We Insist 2025, Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell Featuring Weedie Braimah, Milena Casado, Morgan Guerin, Simon Moullier & Matthew Stevens
– Portrait, Samara Joy
– Fly, Michael Mayo
– Live at Vic’s Las Vegas, Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach, Tom Scott, Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth & Sam Weber
Category 32: Best Jazz Instrumental Album
– Trilogy 3 – Live, Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
– Southern Nights, Sullivan Fortner featuring Peter Washington & Marcus Gilmore
– Belonging, Branford Marsalis Quartet
– Spirit Fall, John Patitucci Featuring Chris Potter & Brian Blade
– Fasten Up, Yellowjackets
I liked Branford’s Keith Jarrett homage but my pick is between Sullivan Fortner and John Patitucci, examples of the two types of trios I wrote about here. I could pick either one easily, but the edge goes to Spirit Fall on the sheer strength of the group, the variety of Potter’s reeds, John’s acoustic and electric bass wizardry and Brian Blade’s sheer magnetism.
Category 33: Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
– Orchestrator Emulator, The 8-Bit Big Band
– Without Further Ado, Vol. 1, Christian McBride Big Band
– Lumen, Danilo Pérez & Bohuslän Big Band
– Basie Rocks, Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra
– Lights on a Satellite, Sun Ra Arkestra
– Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores, Kenny Wheeler Legacy Featuring the Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra & Frost Jazz Orchestra
To me it’s between Lumen, with gorgeous Danilo Pérez compositions transformed for jazz orchestra, and the Kenny Wheeler project, which simply has to take the prize. Wheeler left an incredible body of work after his passing in 2014; these often-breathtaking arrangements, by the man himself, expand on what we know of his harmonic brilliance and expressive worlds. Kudos to orchestra directors Nick Smart and John Daversa, plus special guests Ingrid Jensen (trumpet), Evan Parker (soprano/tenor saxes) and more.
Category 34: Best Latin Jazz Album
– La Fleur de Cayenne, Paquito D’Rivera & Madrid-New York Connection Band
– The Original Influencers: Dizzy, Chano & Chico, Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra featuring Pedrito Martinez, Daymé Arocena, Jon Faddis, Donald Harrison & Melvis Santa
–Mundoagua: Celebrating Carla Bley, Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
– A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro…
Paquito D’Rivera, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Arturo O’Farrill (twice!) are stellar artists whose résumés speak for themselves. But for me nothing could dislodge Miguel Zenón’s quartet from the top spot. I’ve seen this band at the Vanguard myself (not on this particular engagement), and years before that at The Jazz Gallery, where it all began for one of the tightest and most innovative working groups in the music, hands down.
Category 35: Best Alternative Jazz Album
– honey from a winter stone, Ambrose Akinmusire
– Keys to the City Volume One, Robert Glasper
– Ride into the Sun, Brad Mehldau
– LIVE-ACTION, Nate Smith
– Blues Blood, Immanuel Wilkins
All worthy entries here, but Ambrose Akinmusire’s five-track epic (74 minutes) is the most ambitious, with fiery yet meditative trumpet, fierce beats (from Justin Brown), exploratory string quartet writing, rap virtuosity from Kokayi and ear-opening synthesizer input from Toronto’s chiquitamagic.
Category 37: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Brightside, ARKAI
Ones & Twos, Gerald Clayton
BEATrio, Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sánchez
Just Us, Bob James & Dave Koz
Shayan, Charu Suri
There’s much to be said for BEATrio, though pianist Gerald Clayton’s experimental hip-hop/jazz outing, conceived in an intriguing A- and B-side format, is the most forward-thinking item here in terms of stretching form and idiom.
Buddy Guy Triumphs at 2026 Grammys: A Celebration of the Blues and Full Winners List
At the 2026 Grammy Awards, blues legend Buddy Guy took home Best Traditional Blues Album for Ain’t Done With the Blues, proving his enduring influence on the genre. The ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah at Crypto.com Arena, featured major wins across pop, rap, R&B and roots music. Explore the complete Grammy winners list and see how blues artists fared in music’s biggest night.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking another landmark night for music across genres. Hosted for the final time by Trevor Noah, the ceremony was broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+. From pop megastars to roots legends, the Grammys honored achievements in songwriting, performance and production across a wide spectrum of styles.
Blues Triumphs: Buddy Guy & Robert Randolph
Blues legend Buddy Guy won Best Traditional Blues Album for Ain’t Done With the Blues, reaffirming his enduring influence on the genre late into his career. Meanwhile, in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category, Robert Randolph took home the Grammy for Preacher Kids, beating out albums by Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Fish, and Southern Avenue.
Buddy Guy and the Blues Take Center Stage
Chicago blues icon Buddy Guy secured a win for Best Traditional Blues Album with Ain’t Done With the Blues, adding another Grammy to his storied career. At 89, Guy continues to prove he’s a vital force in the blues world. His album, released in July 2025 and featuring notable collaborators, stands as a testament to both legacy and ongoing artistic vitality.
The Blues Categories in Detail
The blues field was notably competitive this year. In addition to Buddy Guy’s and Robert Randolph’s wins:
- Best Traditional Blues Album Nominees: Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’, Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musselwhite, Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush
- Best Contemporary Blues Album Nominees: Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Fish, Southern Avenue
Both traditional and contemporary blues were strongly represented, highlighting the genre’s vitality and continued evolution.
Highlights from the 2026 Winners List
Music’s biggest night delivered wins across genres:
- Record of the Year: “DtMF,” Bad Bunny
- Album of the Year: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny
- Song of the Year: “Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga
- Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
- R&B, rock, country, and global categories showcased both new voices and seasoned performers.
Celebrating Music’s Diversity
From blues to mainstream pop and genre-defying collaborations, the 2026 Grammys highlighted the breadth of today’s musical landscape. While Buddy Guy’s win underscored the enduring power of the blues, artists from around the world took home trophies that reflect music’s rich, evolving creativity.
The 2026 Grammys celebrated both heritage and innovation, proving once again that music’s biggest night honors a richly diverse array of voices and sounds.
