The Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance was awarded from 1970 to 1990 and in 1993. The award had several minor name changes:
Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.
| Year | Winner(s) | Title | Nominees | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | King Curtis | "Games People Play" |
| [1] |
| 1971 | No Award Given | |||
| 1972 | No Award Given | |||
| 1973 | Paul Riser & The Temptations | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (Instrumental)" |
| [2] |
| 1974 | Ramsey Lewis | "Hang On Sloopy" |
| [3] |
| 1975 | MFSB | "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" |
| [4] |
| 1976 | Silver Convention | "Fly, Robin, Fly" |
| [5] |
| 1977 | George Benson | "Theme From Good King Bad" |
| [6] |
| 1978 | The Brothers Johnson | "Q" |
| [7] |
| 1979 | Earth, Wind & Fire | "Runnin'" |
| [8] |
| 1980 | Earth, Wind & Fire | "Boogie Wonderland" |
| [9] |
| 1981 | George Benson | "Off Broadway" |
| [10] |
| 1982 | David Sanborn | "All I Need Is You" |
| [11] |
| 1983 | Marvin Gaye | "Sexual Healing (Instrumental Version)" |
| [12] |
| 1984 | Herbie Hancock | "Rockit" |
| [13] |
| 1985 | Herbie Hancock | "Sound-System" |
| [14] |
| 1986 | Ernie Watts | "Musician" |
| [15] |
| 1987 | Yellowjackets | "And You Know That" |
| [16] |
| 1988 | David Sanborn | "Chicago Song" |
| [17] |
| 1989 | Chick Corea | "Light Years" |
| [18] |
| 1990 | Soul II Soul | "African Dance" |
| [19] |
| 1991 | No Award Given | |||
| 1992 | No Award Given | |||
| 1993 | Miles Davis | "Doo-Bop" |
| [20] |
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances. The award had several minor name changes:
The Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance was awarded from 1959 to 2011. The award was discontinued in 2012 in a major overhaul of Grammy categories; since 2012, recordings in this category have fallen under the Best Small Ensemble Performance category. The award has had several minor name changes:
The Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance has been awarded since 1959. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:
The Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance has been awarded since 1961. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:
The Grammy Award – Best Classical Vocal Solo has been awarded since 1959. There have been several minor changes to the name of the award over this time:
The Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist or Soloists was awarded from 1967 to 1971 and in 1987. Outside of these years the award has been divided into the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance and the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance.
The Grammy Award forBest Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance was awarded from 1959 to 2011. From 1967 to 1971, and in 1987, the award was combined with the award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance and awarded as the Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance – Instrumental Soloist or Soloists.
The Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance was awarded from 1970 to 2011. Between 1986 and 1989 the award was presented as the Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance .
The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album was awarded from 1987 to 2011. Until 1991 the award was known as the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. In 2007, this category was renamed Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album. As of 2010 the category was split into two categories; Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Americana Album.
The Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album was awarded from 1987 to 2011. Until 1993 the award was known as the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Recording.
The Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording was awarded from 1960 to 1986. During this time the award had several minor name changes:
The Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female was awarded from 1984 to 1989. In 1990 this award was combined with the award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male as the Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male or Female.
The Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male was awarded from 1984 to 1989. In 1990 this award was combined with the award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female as the Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male or Female.
The Grammy Award for Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus was awarded from 1984 to 1990.
The Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance was awarded from 1962 to 1986. During this time the award had several name changes:
The Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance was awarded between 1969 and 2011.
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group was presented from 1982 to 1990.
The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Performance was awarded from 1964 to 1967. The award had several minor name changes:
The Grammy Award forBest Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra) was awarded from 1959 to 2011. From 1967 to 1971, and in 1987, the award was combined with the award for Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with orchestra) and awarded as the Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance – Instrumental Soloist or Soloists (with or without orchestra).