The results are in from the 2025 Grammy awards! The jazz winners reflect the genre’s ongoing evolution, from traditional jazz interpretations to groundbreaking fusions with other musical styles.
Samara Joy’s continued success signals the bright future of jazz vocals, while Chick Corea’s posthumous recognition ensures his legacy endures for future generations.
Meanwhile, artists like Dan Pugach, Zaccai Curtis, and Meshell Ndegeocello demonstrate that jazz remains a deeply expressive and ever-expanding art form.
Here’s the full round up of the 2025 Grammy awards for jazz, with all nominees and winners at the end…
Best Jazz Performance: Samara Joy ft. Sullivan Fortner – “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me”
One of the evening’s standout moments came as Samara Joy, the rising star of contemporary jazz vocals, won Best Jazz Performance for her rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Me, featuring the esteemed pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Joy’s interpretation of the song, blending timeless elegance with her signature velvety vocals, captivated both critics and audiences alike.
Her collaboration with Fortner, known for his sensitive and inventive playing, brought a fresh perspective to the piece, earning them one of jazz’s most prestigious awards.
Best Jazz Vocal Album: Samara Joy – A Joyful Holiday
Samara Joy’s success continued as she also took home Best Jazz Vocal Album for A Joyful Holiday, cementing her place as one of the genre’s most exciting young voices.
The album, a mix of classic holiday jazz standards and Joy’s original interpretations, was praised for its warmth, technical brilliance, and the rich storytelling woven through each track.
Following her meteoric rise after winning Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammys, this latest accolade further solidifies her growing legacy in jazz history.
Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
In the instrumental category, the late Chick Corea, one of jazz’s most influential pianists, was posthumously awarded Best Jazz Instrumental Album alongside virtuoso banjo player Béla Fleck for their collaborative work Remembrance.
The album, blending jazz with elements of bluegrass and classical music, demonstrated the duo’s unmatched chemistry and musical innovation. Corea’s profound influence continues to resonate in the jazz world, and this Grammy win serves as a tribute to his enduring artistry.
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Dan Pugach Big Band – Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence
The Dan Pugach Big Band claimed the award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album with their ambitious and dynamic release Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence.
The album, celebrated for its intricate arrangements and lush orchestrations, pushed the boundaries of big band jazz while maintaining a deep reverence for tradition.
Pugach’s ability to merge contemporary sensibilities with classic jazz textures has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative bandleaders in today’s jazz scene.
Best Latin Jazz Album: Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives!
In the Latin jazz category, pianist and composer Zaccai Curtis took home the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album with Cubop Lives!.
This album paid homage to the rich legacy of Afro-Cuban jazz while infusing it with modern energy and rhythmic complexity. Curtis’ work bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, ensuring that Latin jazz remains a vibrant force in contemporary music.
His Grammy win is a testament to his dedication to preserving and evolving this influential style.
Best Alternative Jazz Album: Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
The newly introduced Best Alternative Jazz Album category saw its first winner in Meshell Ndegeocello for No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.
A deeply conceptual and genre-defying project, the album draws inspiration from the works of Baldwin, blending jazz with spoken word, soul, and experimental sounds.
Ndegeocello’s bold artistic vision and commitment to pushing musical boundaries were widely recognised, making her the perfect artist to inaugurate this category.
What do you think of the winners and nominees? Feel free to use the comments section below, or join us here on Facebook to discuss.
Complete List of Jazz Grammy Nominees and Winners
Best Jazz Performance
Winner: Samara Joy ft. Sullivan Fortner – “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me”
- Other Nominees:
- The Baylor Project – “Walk With Me, Lord (SOUND | SPIRIT)”
- Lakecia Benjamin – “Phoenix Reimagined (Live)”
- Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – “Juno”
- Dan Pugach Big Band – “Little Fears”
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Winner: Samara Joy – A Joyful Holiday
- Other Nominees:
- Christie Dashiell – Journey in Black
- Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner – Wildflowers Vol. 1
- Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza
- Catherine Russell & Sean Mason – My Ideal
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Winner: Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
- Other Nominees:
- Ambrose Akinmusire – Owl Song
- Kenny Barron – Beyond This Place
- Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
- Sullivan Fortner – Solo Game
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Winner: Dan Pugach Big Band – Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence
- Other Nominees:
- John Beasley & Frankfurt Radio – Returning to Forever
- The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – And So It Goes
- Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band – Walk a Mile in My Shoes
- Miguel Zenón – Golden City
Best Latin Jazz Album
Winner: Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives!
- Other Nominees:
- Michel Camilo & Tomatito – Spain Forever Again
- Hamilton de Holanda – COLLAB
- Eliane Elias – Time And Again
- Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernández, John Beasley & José Gola – El Trio: Live in Italy
- Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet – Cuba And Beyond
- Donald Vega Featuring Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero
Best Alternative Jazz Album:
Winner: Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
- Other Nominees:
- Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
- André 3000 – New Blue Sun
- Robert Glasper – Code Derivation
- Keyon Harrold – Foreverland