# Jazz and Blues at the 68th Grammy Awards, 2026: Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2026/02/03/jazz-and-blues-at-the-68th-grammy-awards-2026-photos/
- Published: 2026-02-03T06:00:34+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**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

Much as I admire Samara Joy, this is between _Elemental_ and _Fly_, and in keeping
with my stated admiration for Michael Mayo, whose versatility, harmonic acuity and
distinct musical vision are so beautifully captured on this album, I must vote accordingly.

**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.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazztimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/collagegrammy2026-
800x600.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)

**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 - Ain't Done With The Blues](https://i0.wp.com/www.thebluesmagazine.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/buddy-guy-aint-done-with-the-blues.jpg.webp?resize
=640%2C366&ssl=1 "Buddy Guy Triumphs at 2026 Grammys: A Celebration of the Blues
and Full Winners List 1")

**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.

![Buddy Guy Triumphs at 2026 Grammys: A Celebration of the Blues and Full Winners
List](https://i0.wp.com/www.thebluesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/grammys-
2026.jpg.webp?w=640&ssl=1)

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