The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition has been handed out to the composer of the winning entry since 1958. The Academy has revised the name of the award a few times over the years. In 1958 it was awarded as Best Musical Composition First Recorded and Released in 1958 (over 5 minutes duration), In 1960 it was awarded as Best Musical Composition First Recorded and Released in 1959 (more than 5 minutes duration). In 1962 the name was changed to Best Instrumental Theme or Instrumental Version of Song. 1965 saw the title being changed to Best Instrumental Composition (other than jazz) and finally in 1971 the Academy chose the name that is used even today, Best Instrumental Composition. Winning the award nine times American composer, conductor, and pianist John Williams is the most awarded artist in this category.
Winners: Grammys Best Instrumental Composition
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Year
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Winner/s
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Composition
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2010
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Michael Giacchino (composer)
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"Married Life" (from the motion picture Up)
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2009
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John Williams (composer)
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"The Adventures of Mutt" (from the motion picture Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
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2008
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Maria Schneider (composer)
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"Cerulean Skies"
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2007
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John Williams (composer)
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"A Prayer - Peace" (from the motion picture Munich)
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2006
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Billy Childs (composer)
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"Into The Light" performed by Billy Childs Ensemble
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2005
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Paquito D'Rivera
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"Merengue" performed by Yo-Yo Ma
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2004
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Wayne Shorter
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"Sacajawea"
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2003
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Thomas Newman
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"Six Feet Under Title Theme"
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2002
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Alan Silvestri
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"Cast Away End Credits"
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2001
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John Williams
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"Theme From Angela's Ashes"
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2000
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Don Sebesky
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"Joyful Noise Suite"
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1999
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Future Man & Victor Lemonte Wooten
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"Almost 12" performed by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
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1998
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Wayne Shorter
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"Aung San Suu Kyi" performed by Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter
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1997
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Herbie Hancock & Jean Hancock
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"Manhattan (Island of Lights and Love)" performed by Herbie Hancock
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1996
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Bill Holman
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"A View From the Side" performed by The Bill Holman Band
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1995
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Michael Brecker
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"African Skies"
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1994
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Kenny G
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"Forever in Love"
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1993
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Benny Carter
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"Harlem Renaissance Suite"
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1992
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Elton John
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"Basque" performed by James Galway
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1991
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Pat Metheny
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"Change of Heart" performed by Roy Haynes, Dave Holland & Pat Metheny
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1990
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Danny Elfman
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"The Batman Theme" performed by the Sinfonia of London Orchestra
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1989
|
Mike Post
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"The Theme From L.A. Law"
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1988
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Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Billy Higgins & Wayne Shorter
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"Call Sheet Blues" performed by various artists
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1987
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John Barry
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Out of Africa
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1986
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Jan Hammer
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"Miami Vice Theme"
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1985
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Randy Newman
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"The Natural"
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1985
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John Williams
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"Olympic Fanfare and Theme" the official music of the XXIII Olympiad
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1984
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Giorgio Moroder
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"Love Theme From Flashdance" performed by various artists
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1983
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John Williams
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"Flying - Theme From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
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1982
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Mike Post
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"The Theme From Hill Street Blues"
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1981
|
John Williams
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The Empire Strikes Back - Soundtrack
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1980
|
John Williams
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"Superman Main Title Theme"
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1979
|
John Williams
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"Theme From Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
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1978
|
John Williams
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"Main Title From Star Wars"
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1977
|
Chuck Mangione
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Bellavia
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1976
|
Michel Legrand
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Images performed by Michel Legrand & Phil Woods
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1975
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Mike Oldfield
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"Tubular Bells - Theme From The Exorcist"
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1974
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Gato Barbieri
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"Last Tango in Paris Theme" performed by various artists
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1973
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Michel Legrand
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"Theme from Brian's Song"
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1972
|
Michel Legrand
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"Theme From Summer of '42"
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1971
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Alfred Newman
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"Airport Love Theme"
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1970
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John Barry
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"Midnight Cowboy Theme"
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1969
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Mason Williams
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"Classical Gas"
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1968
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Lalo Schifrin
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"Mission: Impossible Theme"
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1967
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Neal Hefti
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"Batman Theme"
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1966
|
none
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1965
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Henry Mancini
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"The Pink Panther Theme"
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1964
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Riz Ortolani
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"More - Theme From Mondo Cane"
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1963
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Bobby Scott & Ric Marlowe
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"A Taste of Honey"
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1962
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Galt MacDermot
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"African Waltz" performed by Cannonball Adderley
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1961
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Duke Ellington
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Anatomy of a Murder Soundtrack
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1960
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Nelson Riddle
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"Cross Country Suite"
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