The first Grammy Awards presented 28 categories.
The inaugural ceremony in 1959 was much smaller than the modern Grammys. Its 28 categories covered a broad selection of recording work, including popular music, jazz, country, classical music and spoken-word recordings. The awards were presented at events in Beverly Hills and New York City.
The number refers to award categories, not the number of individual trophies handed out. A single category can have multiple credited recipients, and some awards recognize performers alongside producers, engineers or other contributors. That distinction becomes increasingly important as Grammy rules and credits have expanded.
The Grammy program has changed repeatedly since 1959. Categories have been renamed, merged, divided or retired as musical styles and recording practices developed. Modern ceremonies therefore present a very different range of awards from the inaugural event, but the first ceremony's 28-category structure established the Recording Academy's broad approach to honoring recorded music.