Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance

The Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance was awarded from 1970 to 1990 and in 1993. The award had several minor name changes:

• From 1970 to 1985 the award was known as Best R&B Instrumental Performance
• From 1986 to 1989 it was awarded as Best R&B Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist)
• In 1990 and 1993 it was awarded as Best R&B Instrumental Performance

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

1990s

• 1990: Soul II Soul for "African Dance"
• 1991: none
• 1992: none
• 1993: Miles Davis for "Doo-Bop"

1980s

• 1980: Earth, Wind & Fire for "Boogie Wonderland"
  • Hubert Laws - "Land of Passion"
  • Herbie Hancock - "Ready or Not"
  • Harvey Mason - "Wave"
  • Junior Walker - "Wishing on a Star"
• 1981: George Benson for "Off Broadway"
• 1982: David Sanborn for "All I Need Is You"
• 1983: Marvin Gaye for "Sexual Healing (Instrumental Version)"
• 1984: Herbie Hancock for "Rockit"
• 1985: Herbie Hancock for "Sound System"
• 1986: Ernie Watts for "Musician"
• 1987: Yellowjackets for "And You Know That"
• 1988: David Sanborn for "Chicago Song"
• 1989: Chick Corea for "Light Years"

1970s

• 1979: Earth, Wind & Fire for "Runnin'"
  • The Crusaders - Images
  • Stanley Clarke - Modern Man
  • Brothers Johnson - Streetwave
  • Average White Band - Sweet and Sour
• 1978: The Brothers Johnson for "Q"
  • Brecker Brothers - Funky Sea, Funky Dew
  • Salsoul Orchestra - Getaway
  • Stuff - More Stuff
  • Blackbyrds - The Unfinished Business
• 1977: George Benson for "Theme From Good King Bad"
  • Marvin Gaye - After the Dance Lyrics
  • Brass Construction - Brass Construction
  • Herbie Hancock - Doin' It
  • Stanley Turrentine - Hope That We Can Be Together Soon
  • The Crusaders - Keep That Same Old Feeling
• 1976: Silver Convention for "Fly, Robin, Fly"
  • Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony - Disco Baby
  • B.T. Express - Express
  • Herbie Hancock - Hang Up Your Hangups
  • Brecker Brothers - Sneakin' Up Behind You
• 1975: MFSB for "The Sound of Philadelphia"
  • Kool & The Gang - Light of Worlds
  • Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces Lyrics
  • The Crusaders - Scratch
  • Billy Preston - Struttin'
• 1974: Ramsey Lewis for "Hang on Sloopy"
  • The Crusaders - 2nd Crusade
  • Donald Byrd - Black Byrd
  • Manu Dibango - Soul Makossa
  • Young-Holt Unlimited - Yes We Can Can
• 1973: Paul Riser & The Temptations for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (Instrumental)"
  • The Crusaders - Crusaders I
  • King Curtis - Everybody's Talkin'
  • Curtis Mayfield - Junkie Chase
  • Isaac Hayes - Let's Stay Together
• 1972: none
• 1971: none
• 1970: King Curtis for "Games People Play"
  • Ike Turner - A Black Man's Soul
  • Albert Collins - Trash Talkin' Lyrics
  • Junior Walker & The All Stars - What Does It Take
  • Richard Groove Holmes - Workin' On A Groovy Thing