Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Sullivan Fortner continues a winning streak with his third Grammy for Jazz Album of the Year after earning the Gilmore Larry J. Bell Artist Award last October.
(Photo: Melanie Mor)The 68th Annual Grammy Awards presented a marathon of winners, tributes and music on Feb. 1. Kendrick Lamar added five more Grammys to his collection, which now totals 27. Bad Bunny became the first artist to win Album of the Year with a primarily Spanish-language offering. And there were plenty of artists garnering Grammys who have graced the pages of DownBeat in the past year. Here’s a look at the winners from the realms of jazz, blues & beyond!
Record of the Year
luther
Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Album of the Year
DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS
Bad Bunny
Song of the Year
“Wildflower”
Billie Eilish
Best Jazz Performance
“Windows (Live)”
Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Portrait
Samara Joy
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Southern Nights
Sullivan Fortner featuring Peter Washington & Marcus Gilmore
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Without Further Ado, Vol 1
Christian McBride Big Band
Best Latin Jazz Album
A Tribute To Benny Moré And Nat King Cole
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro
Best Alternative Jazz Album
Live-Action
Nate Smith
Best Traditional Vocal Pop Album
A Matter Of Time
Laufey
Best Musical Theater Album
Buena Vista Social Club
Original Broadway Cast
Best American Roots Performance
Beautiful Strangers
Mavis Staples
Best Americana Performance
Godspeed
Mavis Staples
Best Americana Album
Big Money
Jon Batiste
Best Bluegrass Album
Highway Prayers
Billy Strings
Best Traditional Blues Album
Ain’t Done With The Blues
Buddy Guy
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Preacher Kids
Robert Randolph
Best Regional Roots Music Album
A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco
Various Artists
Best Album Notes
Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings
Miles Davis
Notes by Ashley Kahn
Best Historical Album
Joni Mitchell Archives–Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1978-1980)
Joni Mitchell
Best Instrumental Composition
“First Snow”
Nordkraft Big Band
Remy Le Boeuf & Danielle Wertz
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or a Cappella
“Super Mario Praise Break”
The 8-Bit Big Band
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“Big Fish”
Nate Smith featuring säge
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
“The love from the jazz and music community restored my faith in humanity,” Walia wrote in an online post upon his release from detention at an ICE facility.
Aug 18, 2026 2:15 PM
Indian jazz guitarist and composer Pritesh Walia has been released after being unexpectedly detained by ICE and taken…
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
Sep 3, 2026 10:44 AM
Cassandra Wilson, a singer, songwriter and producer who was one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz vocalists of…
Percussionist Poncho Sanchez was among the artists scheduled to perform at the now-canceled inaugural LA Jazz Festival.
Aug 11, 2026 12:53 PM
The inaugural LA Jazz Festival, originally scheduled to run Aug. 7–23 with dozens of events across Los Angeles’…
