The 21st Grammy Awards were held in 1979, and were broadcast live on American television. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the year 1978.

Children's

Classical

Comedy

Composing and arranging

Country

Folk

  • Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording
Gospel

  • Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album
    • Mighty Clouds of Joy for Live and Direct
  • Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album
    • Andrae Crouch for Live in London
  • Best Inspirational Performance
  • Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational
    • Larry Hart for "What A Friend"
  • Best Gospel Performance, Traditional
    • The Happy Goodman Family for Refreshing

Historical

  • Best Historical Album
    • Michael Brooks (producer) for The Lester Young Story, Vol. 3

Jazz

  • Best Jazz Vocal Album
    • Al Jarreau for All Fly Home
  • Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist
  • Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Individual or Group
  • Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band
    • Mel Lewis & Thad Jones for Live in Munich

Latin

  • Best Latin Recording
Musical Show

  • Best Cast Show Album
    • Thomas Z. Shepard (producer) for Ain't Misbehavin' performed by various artists

Packaging and Notes

  • Best Album Package - Incl. Album Cover, Graphic Arts, Photography
    • Johnny B. Lee & Tony Lane (art directors) for Boys in the Trees performed by Carly Simon
  • Best Album Notes
    • Michael Brooks (notes writer) for A Bing Crosby Collection, Vols. I & II

Pop

Production and engineering

  • Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical
    • Al Schmitt & Roger Nichols (engineers) for "FM (No Static At All)" performed by Steely Dan
  • Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  • Best Classical Engineered Recording
R&B

Spoken

  • Best Spoken Word or Non-musical Album

Other Grammy Award Years

1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003