The “Jazz” field was introduced at the Grammys in 1959 with Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group. Numerous awards such as Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female, Best Original Jazz Composition, Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group that were previously awarded have now been retired. All the award categories awarded under the “Jazz” Field are mentioned below.
- Best Contemporary Jazz Album - The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album has been handed out since 1992. Over the years the award has had many minor changes in the name. The award was known as Best Contemporary Jazz Performance in the year of its inception. It was awarded as Best Contemporary Jazz Performance (Instrumental) from 1993 to 1994.
- Best Jazz Fusion Performance - The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance was handed out from 1980 to 1991. From 1980 to 2008 the award was presented as the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.
- Best Jazz Instrumental Album - The Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Album, Individual or Group has been handed out since 1959. For the first four years and from 1972 to 1978 the award was presented to for instrumental or vocal performances as the title did not specify instrumental performances.
- Best Jazz Instrumental Solo - The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo has been handed out since 1959. Until 1979 the award was presented to instrumental and vocal performances. Over the years the award has had several minor changes in the title. It was known as Best jazz Performance, Individual in the year of its introduction. In 1960 it was known as Best Jazz Performance - Soloist.
- Best Jazz Vocal Album - The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album has been handed out since 1977. From the year of its inception till 2001 the award was titled the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. From 1981 to 1991 except for 1985 the category was presented as separate awards for female and male.
- Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group - The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group was handed out from 1981 to 1990. American vocal music group The Manhattan Transfer won the award 4 times making them the most awarded group in the category.
- Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female - The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female was handed out from 1981 to 1991.The award was combined with the award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male and awarded as Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 1985.
- Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male - The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male was awarded from 1981 to 1991. In 1985 both Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male and Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female were combined and awarded as Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
- Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album - The Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album has been handed out since 1961. The title of the award had specified instrumental performances from 1962 to 1971 and again from 1979 to 1991. Over the years the title of the award has had numerous minor changes.
- Best Latin Jazz Album - The Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album has been handed out since 1995.Latin Jazz mainly includes Latin American and Cuban rhythms. For six years since its inception in 1995 the title of the award was Best Latin Jazz Performance.
- Best Original Jazz Composition - The Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition was handed out from 1961 to 1967. It was awarded to the composer of the music. In 1961 the title of the award was known as Grammy Award for Best Jazz Composition of More Than Five Minutes Duration.