By Cédric Vernet 
The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony, set for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, has finally revealed its nominees. Among the 95 categories this year, blues fans will be keeping a close eye on four in particular and Blues Actu takes a closer look.
The blues, a cornerstone of rock and modern music, still holds a unique place in the Grammy landscape. Yet, as often happens, this year’s nominations have sparked debate among purists and fans alike – a mix of legends, familiar names, and a young generation still struggling to get recognition. The Grammys remain a highly commercial event, but we can at least celebrate that blues and its related styles still have their moment in the spotlight – for now.
Categories to Watch: The Blues Spotlight
Here are the 2026 nominees in the blues and related roots categories plus a few others worth following closely.
Best Contemporary Blues Album
- Breakthrough – Joe Bonamassa
- Paper Doll – Samantha Fish
- A Tribute To LJK – Eric Gales
- Preacher Kids – Robert Randolph
- Family – Southern Avenue
A lineup of modern blues heavyweights: Joe Bonamassa with his razor-sharp precision, Samantha Fish blending electric pop and soul, Eric Gales paying tribute to his late brother, and Southern Avenue bringing the Memphis groove we love so much on Blues Actu.
Best Traditional Blues Album
- Ain’t Done With The Blues – Buddy Guy
- Room On The Porch – Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’
- One Hour Mama: The Blues Of Victoria Spivey – Maria Muldaur
- Look Out Highway – Charlie Musselwhite
- Young Fashioned Ways – Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush
A royal lineup of veterans who still embody the heart of traditional blues – from Chicago to the Delta. If there’s one to bet on, Buddy Guy might just take it home – and it would be a well-deserved honor.
Best American Roots Performance
- Lonely Avenue – Jon Batiste feat. Randy Newman
- Ancient Light – I’m With Her
- Crimson And Clay – Jason Isbell
- Richmond On The James – Alison Krauss & Union Station
- Beautiful Strangers – Mavis Staples
This category showcases the vitality of American roots music from Mavis Staples’ gospel-soul gravitas to Jason Isbell’s poetic folk and Jon Batiste’s timeless elegance.
Best Americana Performance
- Boom – Sierra Hull
- Poison In My Well – Maggie Rose & Grace Potter
- Godspeed – Mavis Staples
- That’s Gonna Leave A Mark – Molly Tuttle
- Horses – Jesse Welles
Between bluegrass, folk-rock and soul, Americana proves its diversity once again. Rising star Molly Tuttle continues to push boundaries while legend Mavis Staples stands tall as the genre’s enduring matriarch.
Best Regional Roots Music Album
- Live At Vaughan’s – Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet
- For Fat Man – Preservation Brass & Preservation Hall Jazz Band
- Church Of New Orleans – Kyle Roussel
- Second Line Sunday – Trombone Shorty & New Breed Brass Band
- Tribute To The King Of Zydeco – Various Artists
Louisiana shines again with a mix of funk, jazz, and zydeco. Expect a tough contest between Trombone Shorty’s vibrant brass energy and the timeless groove of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Best Folk Album
- What Did The Blackbird Say To The Crow – Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson
- Crown Of Roses – Patty Griffin
- Wild And Clear And Blue – I’m With Her
- Foxes In The Snow – Jason Isbell
- Under The Powerlines – Jesse Welles
Rhiannon Giddens, already a multiple Grammy winner, could once again leave her mark with an album of rare grace, while Patty Griffin may well be this year’s dark horse.
These nominations reveal a balance of heritage and renewal – from living legends like Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal to established talents like Charlie Musselwhite and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, alongside newer voices such as Southern Avenue. A reminder that the blues’ torch still burns bright, though the next generation has yet to fully take the stage.
What’s Next?
The 2026 Grammy nominations were announced on Friday, November 7, 2025. The eligibility window covered releases between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Members of the Recording Academy will cast their final votes from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026.
The main event will take place in Los Angeles, broadcast live and streamed worldwide.
The blues remains in the spotlight, even if its younger generation struggles to break through the shadow of its masters. A win for Buddy Guy or Taj Mahal would be a fitting tribute, while a victory for Southern Avenue or Robert Randolph could bring much-needed fresh air to the genre.
Until the big night, Blues Actu Radio invites you to listen to the nominated albums through its playlist, the perfect warm-up for the emotion and surprises ahead.
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