1977
Grammy Awards
Best Jazz Vocal Peformance
“Look To The Rainbow” (album)

German Grammy Awards
Best International Artist

The Wisconsin Performing Artist Hall of Fame
Recording Artist Award – 6/17/1997

Stereo Review
Record of the Year – “Glow”

Downbeat
Male Vocalist of the Year

Cashbox Jazz Awards
Top New Artist

French Music Academy Awards
Vocalist of the Year

Cashbox Jazz Awards
Top New Artist

Performance
Votes Al both Male Vocalist and Best New Jazz Act

1978

Grammy Awards
Best Jazz Vocal Peformance – All Fly Home (album)

Downbeat Critics Poll Names
Al Best JAzz Vocalist

Performance
Names Al #1 Trendsetting Jazz Vocalist

Record World
Top Jazz Vocalist

1980

Tokyo Music Festival
Garners Silver Award

Downbeat Critics Poll Names
Al Best Jazz Vocalist -2nd Year Running

Performance
Top Jazz Vocalist 2nd Year Running

1981

Grammy Awards
Best Pop Vocal Peformance, Male – “Blue Rondo A La Turk” (single)
Best Jazz Vocal Peformance – Breakin’ Away (album)

1982

NARM Award
Best Jazz Artist

NAACP Image Award
Artist of the Year
Album of the Year

Playboy Magazine’s Award
Best Jazz Vocalist

1983

Dreyfus
Best Jazz Artist

1992

Grammy Awards
Best R&B Vocal Peformance, Male
Heaven and Earth (album)

1997

The Wisconsin Performing Artist
Inducted into the Hall of Fame

2001

Hollywood Walk of Fame
Awarded a Star commemorating status as one of the best singers of his generation.

2002

Verizon
Literacy Champion Award

2007

Grammy Awards
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for “God Bless The Child” with George Benson feat. Jill Scott” – Givin’ It Up (album)
Best Pop Instrumental for “Mornin’’ with George Benson – Givin’ It Up (album)