The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album is an award that was first presented in 1959.

History

From 1959 to 2011, the Award was called Best Instrumental Jazz Album, Individual or Group. In 2012, it was shortened to Best Jazz Instrumental Album, encompassing albums that previously fell under the categories Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Latin Jazz Album (both defunct as of 2012).^[1] A year later, the Best Latin Jazz Album category returned, disallowing albums in that category to be nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

This category is meant for albums containing greater than 50% playing time of new instrumental jazz recordings.

Years listed indicate the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year. Before 1962 and from 1972 to 1978, the award title did not specify instrumental performances and was presented for instrumental or vocal performances. The award has had several name changes.

Name changes

• 1959–1960: Best Jazz Performance, Group
• 1961: Best Jazz Performance Solo or Small Group
• 1962–1963: Best Jazz Performance Solo or Small Group (Instrumental)
• 1964: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Soloist or Small Group
• 1965–1966: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Small Group or Soloist
• 1967: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Group or Soloist with Group
• 1968–1971: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Small Group or Soloist with Small Group
• 1972–1978: Best Jazz Performance by a Group
• 1979–1992: Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group
• 1993–2000: Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group
• 2001–2011: Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group

Recipients