[1989 Grammy Awards] – Complete List of Winners and Nominees (31st) ♪
On February 22, 1989, the 31st Annual Grammy Awards honored music from October 1, 1987, to September 30, 1988. George Michael's incredibly successful and critically acclaimed album Faith won Album of the Year, a testament to his triumphant transition from Wham!
to solo superstardom and his pop-R&B versatility. Bobby McFerrin's whimsical and innovative a cappella hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy" won Record of the Year.
Tracy Chapman, with her profound songwriting and distinctive voice, was deservedly named Best New Artist. Other prominent winners included Anita Baker for R&B and U2 for rock.
This ceremony highlighted the diverse sounds of pop, R&B, and folk, with artists pushing creative boundaries and achieving both popular appeal and critical recognition.
Record Of The Year
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bobby McFerrin | Don't Worry Be Happy |
| Steve Winwood | Roll With It | |
| Michael Jackson | Man In The Mirror | |
| Anita Baker | Giving You The Best That I Got | |
| Tracy Chapman | Fast Car |
Album Of The Year
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | George Michael | Faith |
| Tracy Chapman | Tracy Chapman | |
| Bobby McFerrin | Simple Pleasures | |
| Steve Winwood | Roll With It | |
| Sting | ...Nothing Like The Sun |
Song Of The Year
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bobby McFerrin | Don't Worry Be Happy |
| Brenda Russell | Piano In The Dark | |
| Anita Baker | Giving You The Best That I Got | |
| Tracy Chapman | Fast Car | |
| Sting | Be Still My Beating Heart |
Best New Artist
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Tracy Chapman | - |
| Toni Childs | - | |
| Rick Astley | - | |
| Vanessa Williams | - | |
| Take 6 | - |
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Tracy Chapman | Fast Car |
| Taylor Dayne | Tell It To My Heart | |
| Whitney Houston | One Moment In Time | |
| Brenda Russell | Get Here | |
| Joni Mitchell | Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm |
Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bobby McFerrin | Don't Worry Be Happy |
| Steve Winwood | Roll With It | |
| George Michael | Father Figure | |
| Sting | Be Still My Beating Heart | |
| Phil Collins | A Groovy Kind Of Love |
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | The Manhattan Transfer | Brasil |
| The Escape Club | Wild, Wild West | |
| Brenda Russell And Joe Esposito | Piano In The Dark | |
| The Beach Boys | Kokomo | |
| Gloria Estefan And The Miami Sound Machine | Anything For You (Spanish-English Version) |
Best Pop Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group Or Soloist)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | David Sanborn | Close-up |
| Kenny G | Silhouette | |
| M/A/R/R/S | Pump Up The Volume | |
| Mike Post | Music From La Law And Otherwise | |
| Joe Satriani | Always With Me, Always With You |
Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Tina Turner | Tina Live In Europe |
| Sinéad O'Connor | The Lion And The Cobra | |
| Toni Childs | Don't Walk Away | |
| Melissa Etheridge | Bring Me Some Water | |
| Pat Benatar | All Fired Up |
Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Robert Palmer | Simply Irresistible |
| Joe Cocker | Unchain My Heart | |
| Robbie Robertson | Robbie Robertson | |
| Rod Stewart | Forever Young | |
| Eric Clapton | After Midnight |
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | U2 | Desire |
| Little Feat | Let It Roll | |
| INXS | Kick | |
| Joan Jett And The Blackhearts | I Hate Myself For Loving You | |
| Midnight Oil | Beds Are Burning |
Best Rock Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group Or Soloist)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Carlos Santana | Blues For Salvador |
| Jimmy Page | Writes Of Winter | |
| Joe Satriani | Surfing With The Alien | |
| The Jeff Healey Band | Hideaway | |
| Frank Zappa | Guitar |
Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal Or Instrumental
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Jethro Tull | Crest Of A Knave |
| Jane's Addiction | Nothing's Shocking | |
| Iggy Pop | Cold Metal | |
| AC/DC | Blow Up Your Video | |
| Metallica | ...And Justice For All |
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Anita Baker | Giving You The Best That I Got |
| Karyn White | The Way You Love Me | |
| Vanessa Williams | The Right Stuff | |
| Taylor Dayne | I'll Always Love You | |
| Pebbles | Girlfriend |
Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Terence Trent D'arby | Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'arby |
| Al B. Sure! | Nite And Day | |
| Teddy Pendergrass | Joy | |
| Stevie Wonder | Characters | |
| Luther Vandross | Any Love |
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Gladys Knight & The Pips | Love Overboard |
| The Jets | Rocket 2 U | |
| New Edition | If It Isn't Love | |
| E.U. | Da'butt | |
| The Robert Cray Band | Acting This Way |
Best R&B Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group Or Soloist)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Chick Corea | Light Years |
| Doc Powell | What's Going On | |
| Gerald Albright | So Amazing | |
| George Howard | Reflections | |
| Paul Jackson Jr. | I Came To Play | |
| Cornell Dupree And Who It Is | Coast To Coast |
Best Rhythm & Blues Song
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Anita Baker | Giving You The Best That I Got |
| Johnny Kemp | Just Got Paid | |
| Taylor Dayne | I'll Always Love You | |
| Bobby Brown | Don't Be Cruel | |
| Luther Vandross | Any Love |
Best Rap Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince | Parents Just Don't Understand |
| Kool Moe Dee | Wild Wild West | |
| J.J. Fad | Supersonic | |
| Salt-N-Pepa | Push It | |
| LL Cool J | Going Back To Cali |
Best New Age Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Shadowfax | Folksongs For A Nuclear Village |
| Suzanne Ciani | Neverland | |
| Steve Khan And Rob Mounsey | Local Color | |
| Paul Winter | Down In Belgorod | |
| Mark Isham | Castalia |
Best Jazz Fusion Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Yellowjackets | Politics |
| Lyle Mays | Street Dreams | |
| John Patitucci | John Patitiucci | |
| David Benoit | Every Step Of The Way | |
| Tom Scott | Amaretto |
Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Betty Carter | Look What I Got! |
| Lena Horne | The Men In My Life | |
| Peggy Lee | Miss Peggy Lee Sings The Blues | |
| Carmen McRae | Fine And Mellow | |
| Rickie Lee Jones | Autumn Leaves |
Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bobby McFerrin | Brothers |
| Mark Murphy | September Ballads | |
| João Gilberto | Live In Montreaux | |
| Mose Allison | Ever Since The World Ended | |
| Mel Tormé | A Vintage Year |
Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo Or Group
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Take 6 | Spread Love |
| Carmen McRae And Betty Carter | The Carmen McRae And Betty Carter Duets | |
| The Cunninghams | Strings 'N' Swing /I Remember Bird/ | |
| Jackie And Roy | One More Rose | |
| Lena Horne And Joe Williams | I Won't Leave You Again |
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance Soloist (On A Jazz Recording)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Michael Brecker, soloist | Don't Try This At Home |
| Wynton Marsalis, soloist | The Wynton Marsalis Quartet Live At Blues Alley | |
| Branford Marsalis, soloist | Random Abstract | |
| Miles Davis, soloist | Music From Siesta | |
| Rob Wasserman, soloist | Duets |
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | David Murray, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Cecil McBee & Roy Haynes | Blues For Coltrane - A Tribute To John Coltrane |
| Wynton Marsalis Quartet | The Wynton Marsalis Quartet Live At Blues Alley | |
| The Keith Jarrett Trio | Still Live | |
| Branford Marsalis Quartet | Random Abstract | |
| Chick Corea Elektric Band | Amnesia |
Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Gil Evans & The Monday Night Orchestra | Bud & Bird |
| The Gene Harris All Star Big Band | Tribute To Count Basie | |
| Illinois Jacquet And His Big Band | Jacquet's Got It! | |
| Richard Stoltzman | Ebony | |
| Bill Holman, leader | Bill Holman Band |
Best Country Vocal Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | K.T. Oslin | Hold Me |
| Tanya Tucker | Strong Enough To Bend | |
| Reba McEntire | Reba | |
| k.d. lang | I'm Down To My Last Cigarette | |
| Emmylou Harris | Back In Baby's Arms |
Best Country Vocal Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Randy Travis | Old 8x10 |
| Lyle Lovett | Pontiac | |
| Rodney Crowell | Diamonds And Dirt | |
| Dwight Yoakam | Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room | |
| Dan Seals | Addicted |
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | The Judds | Give A Little Love |
| Forester Sisters | Sincerely | |
| Highway 101 | Highway 101 - 2 | |
| The Oak Ridge Boys | Gonna Take A Lot Or River | |
| Restless Heart | Big Dreams In A Small Town |
Best Country Vocal Collaboration
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Roy Orbison & k.d. lang | Crying |
| Earl Thomas Conley And Emmylou Harris | We Believe In Happy Endings | |
| Dwight Yoakam And Buck Owens | Streets Of Bakersfield | |
| Rodney Crowell And Rosanne Cash | It's Such A Small World | |
| Brenda Lee, k.d. lang, Loretta Lynn, And Kitty Wells | Honky Tonk Angels' Medley |
Best Country Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group Or Soloist)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Asleep At The Wheel | Sugarfoot Rag |
| Carlton Moody And The Moody Brothers | The Great Train Song Medley | |
| Johnny Gimble | Still Fiddlin' Around | |
| Mason Williams, Chip Davis And Mannheim Steamroller | Country Idyll | |
| Leo Kottke | Busy Signal |
Best Bluegrass Recording (Vocal Or Instrumental)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bill Monroe | Southern Flavor |
| Peter Rowan And The Nashville Bluegrass | New Moon Rising | |
| David Grisman | Home Is Where The Heart Is | |
| The Seldom Scene And Their Very Special Guests | Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration, Live At The Kennedy Center | |
| Béla Fleck | Drive |
Best Country Song
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | K.T. Oslin | Hold Me |
| Dwight Yoakam And Buck Owens | Streets Of Bakersfield | |
| Lyle Lovett | She's No Lady | |
| Rodney Crowell | I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried | |
| Vern Gosdin | Chiseled In Stone |
Best Gospel Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Amy Grant | Lead Me On |
| Margaret Becker | The Reckoning | |
| Delores Winans | Precious Is The Name | |
| Deniece Williams | Do You Hear What I Hear? | |
| Sandi Patti | Almighty God |
Best Gospel Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Larnelle Harris | Christmas |
| Russ Taff | Russ Taff | |
| Steven Curtis Chapman | Real Life Conversations | |
| Michael W. Smith | I 2 (Eye) | |
| Steve Green | Find Us Faithful |
Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | The Winans | The Winans Live At Carnegie Hall |
| BeBe And CeCe Winans | Silent Night, Holy Night | |
| The Whites | Doing It By The Book | |
| DeGarmo And Key | D & K | |
| First Call | An Evening In December Vol. II |
Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Aretha Franklin | One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism |
| Tramaine Hawkins | The Joy That Floods My Soul | |
| Vanessa Bell Armstrong | Pressing On | |
| Shirley Caesar | Live... In Chicago | |
| CeCe Winans | I Have A Father |
Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bebe Winans | Abundant Life |
| Richard Smallwood | You Did It All | |
| Walter Hawkins | Special Gift | |
| Marvin Winans | Dancin' In The Spirit | |
| Melvin Williams | Back To The Cross |
Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Take 6 | Take 6 |
| Edwin Hawkins Singers | That Name | |
| Ron Winans Family And Friends Choir | Ron Winans Family And Friends Choir | |
| Aretha Franklin And Mavis Staples | Oh Happy Day | |
| Donnie Harper And The New Jersey Mass Choir | Hold Up The Light | |
| The Clark Sisters | Conqueror |
Best Latin Pop Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Roberto Carlos | Roberto Carlos |
| Jose Louis Perales | Sueno De Libertad | |
| Jose Jose | Soy Asi | |
| Raphael | Las Apariencias Enganan | |
| Dyango | Cae La Noche |
Best Tropical Latin Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Rubén Blades | Antecedente |
| Eddie Santiago | Sigo Atrevido | |
| Johnny Pacheco And Pete El Conde Rodriguez | Salsobita | |
| Pete Escovedo | Mister E | |
| Oscar D'Leon | La Salsa Soy Yo |
Best Mexican-American Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Linda Ronstadt | Canciones De Mi Padre |
| Los Freddys | Vida Nueva | |
| Los Bukis | Si Me Recuerdas | |
| Pio Trevino And Majic | Quiero Verte Otra Vez | |
| Los Yonics | Petalo Y Espinas | |
| Jose Javier Solis | No Me Olvidaras | |
| Los Tigres Del Norte | Idolos Del Pueblo | |
| Flaco Jimenez | Flaco's Amigos |
Best Traditional Blues Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Willie Dixon | Hidden Charms |
| Guitar Slim Jr. | The Story Of My Life | |
| Rockin' Dopsie | Saturday Night Zydeco | |
| James Cotton | Live At Antone's Nightclub | |
| Johnny Copeland | Ain't Nothin' But A Party |
Best Contemporary Blues Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | The Robert Cray Band | Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark |
| Robben Ford | Talk To Your Daughter | |
| Etta James | Seven Year Itch | |
| Ry Cooder | Low-Commotion | |
| Bobby Bland | Blues You Can Use |
Best Traditional Folk Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | (Various Artists) | Folkways -- A Vision Shared: A Tribute To Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly |
| Bob Dylan | Pretty Boy Floyd | |
| Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares | Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares | |
| Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Journey Of Dreams | |
| Van Morrison And The Chieftans | Irish Heartbeat |
Best Contemporary Folk Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Tracy Chapman | Tracy Chapman |
| Michelle Shocked | Short Sharp Shocked | |
| John Prine | John Prine Live | |
| Clive Risko, producer; Various Artists | Homeland - A Collection Of Black South African Music | |
| Sweet Honey In The Rock | Emergency |
Best Polka Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Jimmy Sturr | Born To Polka |
| Jimmy Weber And The Sounds | Sounds From A Polka Party | |
| Stas Bulanda Band | Let's Have A Party | |
| Lenny Gomulka And Chicago Push | Join The Polka Generation | |
| Walter Ostanek And His Band | All Aboard It's Polka Time |
Best Reggae Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers | Conscious Party |
| UB40 | UB40 | |
| Toots Hibbert | Toots In Memphis | |
| Jimmy Cliff | Hanging Fire | |
| UB40 And Chrissie Hynde | Breakfast In Bed |
Best Recording For Children
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Robin Williams & Ry Cooder | Pecos Bill |
| Meryl Streep | The Tale Of Peter Rabbit | |
| Meryl Streep And The Chieftains | The Tailor Of Gloucester | |
| Glenn Close | The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow | |
| Candle | The Bible: The Amazing Book | |
| Wendy Carlos And Weird Al Yankovic | Peter And The Wolf/Carnival Of The Animals (Part II) |
Best Comedy Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Robin Williams | Good Morning, Vietnam |
| George Carlin | What Am I Doing In New Jersey? | |
| Jonathan Winters | Jonathan Winters Finally Captured | |
| Whoopi Goldberg | Fontaine: Why Am I Straight? | |
| Weird Al Yankovic | Even Worse |
Best Spoken Word Or Non-Musical Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Jesse Jackson | Speech By Rev. Jesse Jackson |
| Jonathan Winters | Winters' Tales | |
| John Cleese | The Screwtape Letters | |
| Garrison Keillor | A Prairie Home Companion: The 2nd Annual Farewell Performance | |
| John Gielgud | A Christmas Carol |
Best Musical Cast Show Album
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Stephen Sondheim, composer; Stephen Sondheim, lyricist; Jay David Saks, producer (Various Artists) | Into The Woods |
| John Fraser, producer (Various Artists) | Show Boat | |
| Steven Epstein, producer (Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Maureen McGovern, Larry Kert, Jack Gilford) | Gershwin: Of Thee I Sing; Let Them Eat Cake | |
| Benny Anderson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, producers (Various Artists) | Chess | |
| Jay David Saks, producer (Patti LuPone, Howard McGillin, Bill McCutcheon, And Others) | Anything Goes |
Best Instrumental Composition (other than Jazz)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Mike Post, composer (Mike Post) | The Theme From LA Law |
| David Foster, composer (David Foster) | Winter Games | |
| John Williams, composer (John Williams) | Olympic Spirit | |
| Chick Corea, composer (Chick Corea Elektric Band) | Eternal Child | |
| Benny Carter, composer (Benny Carter) | Central City Sketches (Side 2) |
Best Album Of Original Instrumental Background Score Written For A Motion Picture Or Television
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | David Byrne, Ryuichi Sakamoto & Cong Su, composers (David Byrne, Cong Su & Ryuichi Sakamoto) | The Last Emperor |
| Alan Silvestri, composer (Various Artists) | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | |
| Joe Jackson, composer (Various Artists) | Tucker: The Man And His Dream | |
| Maurice Jarre, composer (Maurice Jarre) | Fatal Attraction (Motion Picture) | |
| John Williams, composer (John Williams) | Empire Of The Sun |
Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or Television
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Phil Collins | Two Hearts (From Buster) |
| Whitney Houston | One Moment In Time (From 1988 Summer Olympics/One Moment In Time) | |
| The Beach Boys | Kokomo (From Cocktail) | |
| George Fenton And Jonas Gwangwa | Cry Freedom (From Cry Freedom) | |
| Donald Fagen | Century's End (From Bright Lights, Big City) |
Best Performance Music Video
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | U2 | Where The Streets Have No Name |
| David Foster | The Symphony Sessions (Video) | |
| Stevie Nicks | Stevie Nicks: Live At Red Rocks (Video) | |
| David Bowie | Glass Spider (Video) | |
| John Cougar Mellencamp | Check It Out (Video) |
Best Concept Music Video
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Weird Al Yankovic | I'm Fat |
| George Harrison | When We Was Fab (Video) | |
| Neil Young | This Note's For You (Video) | |
| Talking Heads | Storytelling Giants (Video) | |
| The Hampton String Quartet | Get A Job |
Best Arrangement On An Instrumental
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Roger Kellaway, arranger (Eddie Daniels) | Memos From Paradise |
| Henry Mancini, arranger (Henry Mancini) | Suite From The Thorn Birds | |
| Bill Barber, Jimmy Johnson & Dick Oatts, arrangers (Flim And The BB's) | Jazz Patrol | |
| John Dankworth, arranger (John Dankworth) | Caravan | |
| David Balakrishnan, arranger (Turtle Island String Quartet) | A Night In Tunisia |
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Jonathan Tunick, arranger (Cleo Laine) | No One Is Alone |
| Henry Mancini, arranger (Luciano Pavarotti, tenor; Henry Mancini, conductor) | Volare | |
| Thomas Dolby & Lost Toy People, arrangers (Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People) | The Key To Her Ferrari | |
| Mike Renzi, arranger (Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr.) | I Wish I'd Met You | |
| Marcus Miller, arranger (Boz Scaggs) | Funny |
Best Album Package
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Bill Johnson, art director (O'Kanes) | Tired Of Runnin' |
| Henry Marquez, art director (The Valentine Brothers) | Picture This | |
| Bruce Licher, art director (Camper Van Beethoven) | Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart | |
| Jeri Heiden, art director (Brian Wilson) | Brian Wilson | |
| Bryan Ferry & Andrew Reid, art directors (Bryan Ferry) | Bete Noire |
Best Album Notes
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Anthony DeCurtis, album notes writer (Eric Clapton) | Crossroads |
| Vaughan Webb, album notes writer (Various Artists) | Virginia Traditions: Southwest Virginia Blues | |
| Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Various Artists) | The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings, Vol. I | |
| John Edward Hasse, album notes writer (Hoagy Carmichael And Others) | The Classic Hoagy Carmichael | |
| Miles Kreuger, album notes writer (John McGlinn, conductor; Frederica Von Stade, Jerry Hadley, Teresa Stratas) | Show Boat |
Best Historical Album
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | (Eric Clapton) | Crossroads |
| (Various Artists) | The Erteguns' New York-New York Cabaret Music | |
| (Various Artists) | The Complete Commodore Jazz Recording, Vol I | |
| (Hoagy Carmichael And Others) | The Classic Hoagy Carmichael | |
| (Django Reinhardt) | Djangologie/USA |
Best Engineered Recording - Non-Classical
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Tom Lord-Alge, engineer (Steve Winwood) | Roll With It |
| John Archer, engineer (Checkfield) | Through The Lens | |
| Elliot Scheiner, engineer (Glenn Frey) | Soul Searchin' | |
| Ray Bardani & John Potoker, engineers (Scritti Politti) | Provision | |
| George Massenburg, engineer (Little Feat) | Let It Roll | |
| Mick Guzauski, engineer (Doc Severinsen) | Facets |
Producer Of The Year (Non-Classical)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Neil Dorfsman | - |
| David Kershenbaum (producer) | - | |
| Thomas Dolby (producer) | - | |
| Narada Michael Walden (producer) | - | |
| Babyface, L.A. Reid (producers) | - |
Best Classical Album
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Robert Shaw, artist; Robert Woods, producer | Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses |
| Placido Domingo, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Siegmund Nimsgern, Jessye Norman, Eva Randova & Georg Solti, artists; Christopher Raeburn, producer | Wagner: Lohengrin | |
| Louis Lane & Robert Shaw, artists; Robert Woods, producer | Rorem: String Symphony; Sunday Morning; Eagles | |
| Leonard Bernstein, artist; Hans Weber, producer | Mahler: Symphony No. 2 In C Minor /Resurrection/ | |
| Carlo Maria Giulini & Vladimir Horowitz, artists; Thomas Frost, producer | Horowitz Plays Mozart |
Best Orchestral Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Louis Lane & Robert Shaw, conductors (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) | Rorem: String Symphony; Sunday Morning; Eagles |
| (New York Philharmonic) | Mahler: Symhony No. 2 In C Minor /Resurrection/ | |
| (Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra) | Copland: Appalachian Spring (Complete); Letter From Home; John Henry; Cortege Macabre From Grohg | |
| (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) | Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 In E | |
| (London Classical Players) | Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor |
Best Opera Recording
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Placido Domingo, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Siegmund Nimsgern, Jessye Norman, Eva Randova & Hans Sotin; Georg Solti, conductor; Christopher Raeburn, producer (Vienna State Opera Orchestra) | Wagner: Lohengrin |
| Leonard Bernstein, Barbara Daniels, Jerry Hadley, Thomas Hampson & Angelina Reaux; Hans Weber, producer (Chorus Of Santa Cecilia; Orchestra Of Santa Cecilia) | Puccini: La Boheme | |
| Agnes Baltsa, Edita Gruberova, Leo Nucci, Luciano Pavarotti, Lucia Popp & John Pritchard; Christopher Raeburn, producer (Vienna Philharmonic Chorus; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) | Mozart: Idomeneo | |
| Leonard Bernstein, John Brandstetter, Peter Kazaras, Jean Kraft, Chester Ludgin, Beverly Morgan & Wendy White; Hans Weber, producer (Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra) | Bernstein/Wadsworth: A Quiet Place | |
| Richard Bonynge, Montserrat Caballe, Luciano Pavarotti, Samuel Ramey & Joan Sutherland; Andrew Cornall, producer (Welsh National Opera Chorus; Welsh National Opera Orchestra) | Bellini: Norma | |
| Edo De Waart, John Duykers, Thomas Hammons, James Maddalena, Carolann Page & Sanford Sylvan; Wilhelm Hellweg, producer (Orchestra Of St. Luke's) | Adams: Nixon In China |
Best Choral Performance (Other Than Opera)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Robert Shaw, conductor (Atlanta Symphony Chorus; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) | Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses |
| (English Concert Choir; English Concert) | Vivaldi: Gloria/Scarlatti: Dixit Dominus | |
| (Vienna Singverein; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) | Mozart: Requiem | |
| (Chicago Symphony Chorus; Chicago Symphony Orchestra) | Bach: St. Matthew Passion | |
| (Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists) | Bach: Christmas Oratorio |
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) (With Orchestra)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Vladimir Horowitz, artist (La Scala Opera Orchestra) | Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 |
| Gary Gray, artist (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) | The Art Of Gary Gray | |
| Isaac Stern, artist (Orchestre National De France) | Dutilleux: L'Arbre Des Songes - Concerto For Violin And Orchestra | |
| Itzhak Perlman, artist (Israel Philharmonic Orchestra) | Bruch: Scottish Fantasy And Violin Concerto No. 2 In D Minor | |
| Yo-Yo Ma & Isaac Stern, artists (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) | Brahms: Double Concerto In A Minor, Op. 102 | |
| Zoltan Kocsis, artist (Budapest Festival Orchestra) | Bartók: Works For Piano And Orchestra | |
| Wynton Marsalis, artist (English Chamber Orchestra) | Baroque Music For Trumpets (Vivaldi, Telemann, Pachelbel, Haydn, Von Biber) |
Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist(s) (Without Orchestra)
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Alicia De Larrocha, artist | Albeniz: Iberia, Navarra, Suite Espagnola |
| Maurizio Pollini, artist | Schubert: The Late Piano Sonatas | |
| Vladimir Horowitz, artist | Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 13 In B Flat, K. 333 | |
| Alfred Brendel, artist | Liszt: Annees De Pelerinage, Second Year: Italy | |
| Keith Jarrett, artist | Bach: The Well Tempered Clavier, Book I |
Best Chamber Music Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | David Corkhill, Evelyn Glennie, Murray Perahia & Georg Solti, artists | Bartók: Sonata For Two Pianos & Percussion |
| James Levine, artist | Mozart: Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Winds, K452/Beethoven: Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Winds, Op. 16 | |
| Kim Kashkashian & Robert Levin, artists | Hindemith: Viola Sonatas | |
| Guarneri Quartet (John Dalley, David Soyer, Arnold Steinhardt & Michael Tree), artists | Dvorák: String Quartet In F /American Quartet/ /Smetana: String Quartet In E Minor /From My Life/ | |
| Martha Argerich & Gidon Kremer, artists | Beethoven: Violin - Piano Sonatas No. 4 In A, Op. 23 And No. 5 In F, Op. 24 |
Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | (Symphony Orchestra Of Amelia Romangna) | Luciano Pavarotti In Concert |
| Christa Ludwig | Songs Of America (Stephen Foster, Elliott Carter, Ruth Crawford, Milton Babbitt, George Crumb, Carrie Jacobs-Bond, Irving Fine, Sergius Kagen) | |
| Arleen Auger | Schubert: Winterreise | |
| Jessye Norman | Love Songs (Copland, R. Strauss, Poulenc, Mahler, Schumann, Gounod, Schubert, Etc.) | |
| - | Handel/Schubert/Schumann: Lieder (Jessye Norman - Live At Hohenems) |
Best Contemporary Composition
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | John Adams, composer | Adams: Nixon In China |
| Karlheinz Stockhausen, composer | Stockhausen: Amour | |
| Ned Rorem, composer | Rorem: String Symphony | |
| William Bolcom, composer | Bolcom: Symphony No. 4 | |
| Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Wadsworth, composers | Bernstein/Wadsworth: A Quiet Place |
Best Engineered Recording, Classical
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Jack Renner, engineer (Robert Shaw, conductor) | Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses |
| Klaus Scheibe, engineer (Leonard Bernstein, conductor) | Mahler: Symphony No. 2 /Resurrection/ | |
| Simon Eadon, engineer (Georg Solti, conductor) | Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 In E | |
| Cees Heijkoop, Willem Van Leeuwen & Volker Strauss, engineers (Bernard Haitink, conductor) | Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies (Complete) | |
| Jack Renner, engineer (Robert Shaw, conductor) | Beethoven: Missa Solemnis/Mozart: Great C Minor Mass |
Classical Producer Of The Year
| Artist | Work | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Robert Woods | - |
| Thomas Frost | - | |
| Steven Epstein | - | |
| Andrew Cornall | - | |
| Joanna Nickrenz | - |