Table of contents

1 2000s 2 1990s 3 1980s 4 1970s 5 1960s

2000s

• 2004: George Harrison for "Marwa Blues"
• 2003: B.B. King for "Auld Lang Syne"
• 2002: Eric Clapton for "Reptile"
• 2001: Brian Setzer for "Caravan" performed by the Brian Setzer Orchestra
• 2000: Santana for" El Farol"

• 1999: Brian Setzer for "Sleepwalk" performed by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
• 1998: Sarah McLachlan for "Last Dance"
• 1997: Bela Fleck & the Flecktones for "The Sinister Minister"
• 1996: Los Lobos for "Mariachi Suite"
• 1995: Booker T & the MG's for "Cruisin' "
• 1994: Branford Marsalis & Bruce Hornsby for "Barcelona Mona"
• 1993: Richard Kaufman (conductor) for "Beauty and the Beast"
• 1992: Michael Kamen for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• 1991: Angelo Badalamenti for "Twin Peaks Theme"
• 1990: The Neville Brothers for "Healing Chant"

• 1989: David Sanborn for Close-up (Best Pop Instrumental Performance, Orchestra, Group or Soloist)
• 1988: Larry Carlton for "Minute By Minute"
• 1987: Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens for "Top Gun Anthem"
• 1986: Jan Hammer for "Miami Vice Theme"
• 1985: Ray Parker Jr for "Ghostbusters (Instrumental)"
• 1984: George Benson for "Being With You"
• 1983: Ernie Watts for "Chariots of Fire Theme (Dance Version)"
• 1982: Larry Carlton & Mike Post for "The Theme From Hill Street Blues"
• 1981: Bob James & Earl Klugh for One on One
• 1980: Herb Alpert for "Rise"

• 1979: Chuck Mangione for Children of Sanchez
• 1978: John Williams for Star Wars
• 1977: George Benson for Breezin'
• 1976: Van McCoy for "The Hustle"
• 1975: Marvin Hamlisch for "The Entertainer"
• 1974: Eumir Deodato for "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)"
• 1973: Isaac Hayes for "Black Moses"
• 1972: Quincy Jones for Smackwater Jack
• 1971: Henry Mancini for Theme From Z and Other Film Music (Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance)
• 1970: Blood, Sweat & Tears for "Variations on a Theme by Eric Satie" (Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance)

• 1969: Mason Williams for "Classical Gas"
• 1968: Chet Atkins for Chet Atkins Picks the Best (Best Instrumental Performance (Other Than Jazz))
• 1967: Herb Alpert for "What Now My Love" performed by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (Best Instrumental Performance (Other Than Jazz))
• 1966: Herb Alpert for "A Taste of Honey" performed by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
• 1965: Henry Mancini for Pink Panther
• 1964: Al Hirt for "Java" (Best Performance by an Orchestra or Instrumentalist With Orchestra, Not for Jazz or Dancing)
• 1963: Peter Nero for The Colorful Peter Nero (Best Performance by an Orchestra or Instrumentalist With Orchestra, Not for Jazz or Dancing)
• 1962: Henry Mancini for Breakfast at Tiffany's
• 1961: Henry Mancini for Mr. Lucky
• 1960: Duke Ellington for Anatomy of a Murder