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Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition

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First awarded
  
1960

Category of
  
Grammy Awards

People also search for
  
Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella

Winners & Nominees
  
Spoken at Midnight [Jawaharlal Nehru]Ted Nash, Spoken at Midnight [Jawaharlal Nehru], Winner, L'Ultima Diligenza Di Red Rock - Versione IntegraleEnnio Morricone, L'Ultima Diligenza Di Red Rock - Versione Integrale, Nominee, FlowAlan Ferber, Flow, Nominee, Bridge of Spies - End TitleThomas Newman, Bridge of Spies - End Title, Nominee, The Expensive Train Set (An Epic Sarahnade for Double Big Band)Timothy Andrew Davies, The Expensive Train Set (An Epic Sarahnade for Double Big Band), Nominee, The Afro Latin Jazz SuiteArturo O'Farrill, The Afro Latin Jazz Suite, Winner, NeilRichard DeRosa, Neil, Nominee, Civil WarBob Mintzer, Civil War, Nominee, Vesper (feat Frank Chastenier & John Marshall)Marshall Gilkes, Vesper (feat Frank Chastenier & John Marshall), Nominee, Confetti ManDavid Balakrishnan, Confetti Man, Nominee, The Book ThiefJohn Williams, The Book Thief, Winner, RecognitionRufus Reid, Recognition, Nominee, Life in the BubbleGordon Goodwin, Life in the Bubble, Nominee, Last Train to SanityStanley Clarke, Last Train to Sanity, Nominee, TarnationChris Thile - Edgar Meyer, Tarnation, Nominee, Pensamientos for Solo Alto Saxophone and Chamber OrchestraClare Fischer, Pensamientos for Solo Alto Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra, Winner, String Quartet No 1: Funky Diversion In Three PartsVince Mendoza, String Quartet No 1: Funky Diversion In Three Parts, Nominee, California Pictures For String QuartetGordon Goodwin, California Pictures For String Quartet, Nominee, Bound AwayChuck Owen, Bound Away, Nominee, Koko On The BoulevardScott Healy, Koko On The Boulevard, Nominee, Mozart Goes DancingChick Corea, Mozart Goes Dancing, Winner, December DreamChuck Loeb, December Dream, Nominee, Overture - Waltz and RondoBill Cunliffe, Overture - Waltz and Rondo, Nominee, Music of Ansel Adams: AmericaDave Brubeck - Chris Brubeck, Music of Ansel Adams: America, Nominee, Without a PaddleBill Holman, Without a Paddle, Nominee

The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition (including its previous names) has been awarded since 1960. The award is presented to the composer of an original piece of music (not an adaptation), first released during the eligibility year. In theory, any style of music is eligible for this category, but winning compositions are usually in the jazz or film score genres.

Contents

The Grammy is awarded to the composer(s) of the music, not to the performing artist, except if the artist is also the composer.

There have been several minor changes to the name of the award:

  • In 1958 it was awarded as Best Musical Composition First Recorded and Released in 1958 (over 5 minutes duration)
  • In 1960 it was awarded as Best Musical Composition First Recorded and Released in 1959 (more than 5 minutes duration)
  • In 1962 it was awarded as Best Instrumental Theme or Instrumental Version of Song
  • From 1963 to 1964 and from 1967 to 1970 it was awarded as Best Instrumental Theme
  • In 1965 it was awarded as Best Instrumental Composition (other than jazz)
  • From 1971 to the present it has been awarded as Best Instrumental Composition

    • Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.

    2010s

    2017

  • Ted Nash for Spoken at Midnight, performed by the Ted Nash Big Band

    • Nominees

  • Thomas Newman for Bridge of Spies (End Title), performed by Thomas Newman
  • Tim Davies for The Expensive Train Set (An Epic Sarahnade for Double Big Band), performed by the Tim Davies Big Band
  • Alan Ferber for Flow, performed by the Alan Ferber Nonet
  • Ennio Morricone for L'Ultima Diligenza di Red Rock - Versione Integrale, performed by Ennio Morricone
  • 2016
  • Arturo O'Farrill for The Afro Latin Jazz Suite, performed by Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra ft. Rudresh Mahanthappa

    • Nominees

  • Bob Mintzer for Civil War, performed by the Bob Mintzer Big Band
  • David Balakrishnan for Confetti Man, performed by the Turtle Island Quartet
  • Marshall Gilkes for Vesper, performed by Marshall Gilkes & the WDR Big Band
  • Rich DeRosa for Neil, performed by the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band
  • Grammy Awards of 2015
  • John Williams for The Book Thief, performed by John Williams

    • Nominees

  • Stanley Clarke for Last Train to Sanity, performed by the Stanley Clarke Band
  • Gordon Goodwin for Life in the Bubble, performed by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band
  • Rufus Reid for Recognition, performed by Rufus Reid
  • Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile for Tarnation, performed by Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile
  • Grammy Awards of 2014
  • Clare Fischer for Pensamientos for Solo Alto Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra, performed by the Clare Fischer Orchestra

    • Nominees

  • Chuck Owen for Bound Away, performed by Chuck Owen & The Jazz Surge
  • Gordon Goodwin for California Pictures for String Quartet, performed by the Quartet San Francisco
  • Scott Healy for Koko on the Boulevard, performed by the Scott Healy Ensemble
  • Vince Mendoza for String Quartet No. 1: Funky Diversion in Three Parts, performed by the Quartet San Francisco
  • Grammy Awards of 2013
  • Chick Corea for Mozart Goes Dancing (Chick Corea & Gary Burton - Hot House)

    • Nominees (performing artists, followed by the title of the composition, with performer(s) and album title in parentheses)

  • Chuck Loeb for December Dream (Fourplay - Esprit de Four)
  • Chris Brubeck & Dave Brubeck for Music of Ansel Adams: America (Temple University Symphony Orchestra - no album title listed)
  • Bill Cunliffe for Overture, Waltz and Rondo (Temple University Symphony Orchestra - no album title listed)
  • Bill Holman for Without a Paddle (Tall & Small - High On You)
  • Grammy Awards of 2012
  • Béla Fleck & Howard Levy for Life in Eleven

    • Nominees (artists names, followed by album title, in parentheses)

  • John Hollenbeck for Falling Men (John Hollenbeck, Daniel Yvinec & l'Orchestre National de Jazz – Shut Up and Dance)
  • Gordon Goodwin for Hunting Wabbits 3 (Get Off My Lawn) (Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band – That's How We Roll)
  • Randy Brecker for I Talk To The Trees (Randy Brecker & the DR Big Band – The Jazz Ballad Song Book)
  • Russell Ferrante for Timeline (Yellowjackets – Timeline)
  • Grammy Awards of 2011
  • Billy Childs for The Path Among The Trees, from Autumn: In Moving Pictures Jazz – Chamber Music Vol. 2, performed by the Billy Childs Ensemble
  • Grammy Awards of 2010
  • Michael Giacchino (composer) for "Married Life" (from the motion picture Up)

    • 2000s

  • Grammy Awards of 2009
  • John Williams (composer) for "The Adventures of Mutt" (from the motion picture Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
  • Grammy Awards of 2008
  • Maria Schneider (composer) for "Cerulean Skies"
  • Grammy Awards of 2007
  • John Williams (composer) for "A Prayer for Peace" (from the motion picture Munich)
  • Grammy Awards of 2006
  • Billy Childs (composer) for "Into The Light" performed by Billy Childs Ensemble
  • Grammy Awards of 2005
  • Paquito D'Rivera for "Merengue" performed by Yo-Yo Ma
  • Grammy Awards of 2004
  • Wayne Shorter for "Sacajawea"
  • Grammy Awards of 2003
  • Thomas Newman for "Six Feet Under Title Theme"
  • Grammy Awards of 2002
  • Alan Silvestri for "Cast Away End Credits"
  • Grammy Awards of 2001
  • John Williams for "Theme From Angela's Ashes"
  • Grammy Awards of 2000
  • Don Sebesky for "Joyful Noise Suite"

    • 1990s

  • Grammy Awards of 1999
  • Bela Fleck, Future Man & Victor Lemonte Wooten for "Almost 12" performed by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
  • Grammy Awards of 1998
  • Wayne Shorter for "Aung San Suu Kyi" performed by Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter
  • Grammy Awards of 1997
  • Herbie Hancock & Jean Hancock for "Manhattan (Island of Lights and Love)" performed by Herbie Hancock
  • Grammy Awards of 1996
  • Bill Holman for "A View From the Side" performed by The Bill Holman Band
  • Grammy Awards of 1995
  • Michael Brecker for "African Skies"
  • Grammy Awards of 1994
  • Kenny G for "Forever in Love"
  • Grammy Awards of 1993
  • Benny Carter for "Harlem Renaissance Suite"
  • Grammy Awards of 1992
  • Elton John for "Basque" performed by James Galway
  • Grammy Awards of 1991
  • Pat Metheny for "Change of Heart" performed by Roy Haynes, Dave Holland & Pat Metheny
  • Grammy Awards of 1990
  • Danny Elfman for "The Batman Theme" performed by the Sinfonia of London Orchestra

    • 1980s

  • Grammy Awards of 1989
  • Mike Post for "The Theme From L.A. Law"
  • Grammy Awards of 1988
  • Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Billy Higgins & Wayne Shorter for "Call Sheet Blues" performed by various artists
  • Grammy Awards of 1987
  • John Barry for Out of Africa
  • Grammy Awards of 1986
  • Jan Hammer for "Miami Vice Theme"
  • Grammy Awards of 1985
  • Randy Newman for "The Natural"
  • John Williams for "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" the official music of the XXIII Olympiad
  • Grammy Awards of 1984
  • Giorgio Moroder for "Love Theme From Flashdance" performed by various artists
  • Grammy Awards of 1983
  • John Williams for "Flying – Theme From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
  • Grammy Awards of 1982
  • Mike Post for "The Theme From Hill Street Blues"
  • Grammy Awards of 1981
  • John Williams for The Empire Strikes Back - Soundtrack
  • Grammy Awards of 1980
  • John Williams for "Superman Main Title Theme"

    • 1970s

  • Grammy Awards of 1979
  • John Williams for "Theme From Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
  • Grammy Awards of 1978
  • John Williams for "Main Title From Star Wars"
  • Grammy Awards of 1977
  • Chuck Mangione for Bellavia
  • Grammy Awards of 1976
  • Michel Legrand for Images performed by Michel Legrand & Phil Woods
  • Grammy Awards of 1975
  • Mike Oldfield for "Tubular Bells - Theme From The Exorcist"
  • Grammy Awards of 1974
  • Gato Barbieri for "Last Tango in Paris Theme" performed by various artists
  • Grammy Awards of 1973
  • Michel Legrand for "Theme from Brian's Song"
  • Grammy Awards of 1972
  • Michel Legrand for "Theme From Summer of '42"
  • Grammy Awards of 1971
  • Alfred Newman for "Airport Love Theme"
  • Grammy Awards of 1970
  • John Barry for "Midnight Cowboy Theme"

    • 1960s

  • Grammy Awards of 1969
  • Mason Williams for "Classical Gas"
  • Grammy Awards of 1968
  • Lalo Schifrin for "Mission: Impossible Theme"
  • Grammy Awards of 1967
  • Neal Hefti for "Batman Theme"
  • Grammy Awards of 1966
  • none
  • Grammy Awards of 1965
  • Henry Mancini for "The Pink Panther Theme"
  • Grammy Awards of 1964
  • Riz Ortolani for "More – Theme From Mondo Cane"
  • Grammy Awards of 1963
  • Bobby Scott & Ric Marlowe for "A Taste of Honey"
  • Grammy Awards of 1962
  • Galt MacDermot for "African Waltz" performed by Cannonball Adderley
  • Grammy Awards of 1961
  • Duke Ellington for Anatomy of a Murder Soundtrack
  • Grammy Awards of 1960
  • Nelson Riddle for "Cross Country Suite"

    • References

    Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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