Ella Fitzgerald, first lady of jazz, won her eight Grammy Award at the 19th annual ceremony, held February 19, 1977. She won Best Jazz Vocal Performance for Fitzgerald and Pass...Again, the second album of four she recorded with guitarist Joe Pass.
George Benson won Record of the Year for This Masquerade. It was in contention for Album of the Year and Song of the Year. I recognize every other album and song nominated in these three categories, and Benson's is the only one I do not know and, after listening to it just now, have never heard it before. I suppose his music did not get any airplay in my area back then.
Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder won Album of the Year, and Barry Manilow's I Write the Songs won Song of the Year.
Starland Vocal Band won Best New Artist, beating Brothers Johnson, Boston(!), and Wild Cherry. Unfortunately, they are best known for their only hit, Afternoon Delight, which won Best Arrangement for Voices (duo, group or chorus).
Natalie Cole won Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for her Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady).
Helen Hayes, with Henry Fonda, James Earl Jones & Orson Welles, won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording for Great American Documents. This win made Helen Hayes become the second person to become an EGOT, someone who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony.
