Grammy Award for Best Album Notes


The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes has been presented since 1964. From 1973 to 1976, a separate award was presented for Best Album Notes – Classical. Those awards are listed under those years below. The award recognizes albums with excellent liner notes. It is presented to the liner notes author or authors, not to the artists or performers on the winning work, except if the artist is also the liner notes author.
Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.

2020s

2010s

YearWinnerWorkNominationsRef.
2019David Evans', performed by Various Artists
2018Lynell GeorgeLive at the Whisky A Go Go: The Complete Recordings, performed by Otis Redding
2017Ken Bloom & Richard CarlinSissle and Blake Sing Shuffle Along, performed by Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle
2016Joni MitchellLove Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced, performed by Joni Mitchell
2015Ashley Kahn', performed by John Coltrane
2014Neil TesserAfro Blue Impressions , performed by John Coltrane
2013Billy VeraSingular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles, performed by Ray Charles
2012Adam MachadoHear Me Howling!: Blues, Ballads & Beyond as Recorded by the San Francisco Bay by Chris Strachwitz in the 1960s, performed by various artists
2011Robert GordonKeep an Eye on the Sky, performed by Big Star
2010Dan MorgensternThe Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions , performed by Louis Armstrong

2000s

YearWinnerWorkNominationsRef.
2009Francis DavisKind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition, performed by Miles Davis
2008Bruce NemerovJohn Work III: Recording Black Culture, performed by various artists
2007Dan MorgensternIf You Got To Ask, You Ain't Got It!, performed by Fats Waller
2006Alan Lomax and John SzwedThe Complete Library of Congress Recordings, performed by Jelly Roll Morton
2005Loren SchoenbergThe Complete Columbia Recordings of Woody Herman and His Orchestra & Woodchoppers , performed by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
2004Tom Piazza', performed by various artists
2003David Evans', performed by Charlie Patton
2002Walter Mosley...And It's Deep Too! The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings , performed by Richard Pryor

Elijah Wald for Arhoolie Records 40th Anniversary Collection: 1960–2000 The Journey of Chris Strachwitz, performed by various artists
2001Bob BlumenthalThe Complete Columbia Recordings 1955–1961, performed by Miles Davis and John Coltrane
2000Bob Blumenthal, performed by John Coltrane

1990s

YearWinnerWorkNominationsRef.
1999Bob Belden, Todd Coolman, and Michael CuscunaMiles Davis Quintet 1965–1968, performed by the Miles Davis Quintet
1998John Fahey, Luis Kemnitzer, Jon Pankake, Chuck Pirtle, Jeff Place, Neil V. Rosenberg, Luc Sante, Peter Stampfel, and Eric Von SchmidtAnthology of American Folk Music, performed by various artists
1997George Avakian, Bob Belden, Bill Kirchner, and Phil Schaap', performed by Miles Davis and Gil Evans
1996Rob BowmanThe Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 3: 1972–1975, performed by various artists
1995Dan Morgenstern and Loren SchoenbergLouis Armstrong: Portrait of the Artists as a Young Man, 1923–1934, performed by Louis Armstrong
1994Buck Clayton, Phil Schaap, and Joel E. SiegelThe Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945–1959, performed by Billie Holiday
1993Dave Marsh, Jerry Wexler, David Ritz, Thulani Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, Tom Down, and Arif Mardin', performed by Aretha Franklin
1992James Brown, Cliff White, Harry Weinger, Nelson George, and Alan M. LeedsStar Time, performed by James Brown
1991Dan MorgensternBrownie: The Complete Emarcy Recordings of Clifford Brown, performed by Clifford Brown
1990Phil SchaapBird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve, performed by Charlie Parker

1980s

YearWinnerWorkNominationsRef.
1989Anthony DeCurtisCrossroads performed by Eric Clapton
1988Orrin KeepnewsThe Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings, performed by Thelonious Monk
1987Gary Giddins, Wilfrid Sheed, Jonathan Schwartz, Murray Kempton, Andrew Sarris, Stephen Holden, and Frank ConroyThe Voice: The Columbia Years 1943–1952, performed by Frank Sinatra
1986Peter GuralnickLive at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, performed by Sam Cooke
1985Gunther Schuller and Martin WilliamsBig Band Jazz, performed by various artists
1984Orrin KeepnewsThe "Interplay" Sessions, performed by Bill Evans
1983John Chilton and Richard SudhalterGiants of Jazz: Bunny Berigan, performed by Bunny Berigan
1982Dan MorgensternErroll Garner: Master of the Keyboard, performed by Erroll Garner
1981David McClintock, performed by Frank Sinatra
1980Bob Porter & James PatrickCharlie Parker: The Complete Savoy Sessions, performed by Charlie Parker

1970s

YearWinnerWorkNominationsRef.
1979Michael BrooksA Bing Crosby Collection, Volumes 1 and 2, performed by Bing Crosby
1978George T. SimonBing Crosby: A Legendary Performer, performed by Bing Crosby
1977Dan MorgensternThe Changing Face of Harlem: Savoy Sessions, performed by various artists
1976 Gunther SchullerFootlifters: A Century of American Marches, performed by Gunther Schuller conducting the All-Star Band
1976 Pete HamillBlood on the Tracks, performed by Bob Dylan
1975 Rory GuyThe Classic Erich Wolfgang Korngold, conducted by Willy Mattes with a solo by Ulf Hoelscher
1975 Charles R. Townsend
Dan Morgenstern		For the Last Time, performed by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
The Hawk Flies, performed by Coleman Hawkins
1974 Glenn GouldHindemith: Sonatas for Piano Complete, performed by the Villa Musica Ensemble
1974 Dan MorgensternGod Is in the House, performed by Art Tatum
1973 James LyonsVaughan Williams: Symphony No. 2 , performed by André Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra
1973 Tom T. HallTom T. Hall's Greatest Hits, performed by Tom T. Hall
1972Sam SamudioSam, Hard and Heavy, performed by Sam the Sham
1971Chris AlbertsonThe World's Greatest Blues Singer, performed by Bessie Smith
1970Johnny CashNashville Skyline, performed by Bob Dylan

1960s

YearWinnerWorkNominationsRef.
1969Johnny CashAt Folsom Prison, performed by Johnny Cash
1968John D. LoudermilkSuburban Attitudes in Country Verse, performed by John D. Loudermilk
1967Stan CornynSinatra at the Sands, performed by Frank Sinatra
1966Stan CornynSeptember of My Years, performed by Frank Sinatra
1965Stanton Catlin and Carleton BealsMexico , performed by Carlos Chávez
1964Leonard Feather and Stanley DanceThe Ellington Era, performed by Duke Ellington