List of 1970s down beat poll winners
The 1970s Critic and Reader Polls for Down Beat magazine winners :
1970
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Johnny Hodges
- Jazz Album of the Year: Miles Davis Bitches Brew
- Big band: Duke Ellington
- Acoustic band: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Harry Carney
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Miles Davis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Russell Procope
- Flute: James Moody
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass: Richard Davis
- Guitar: Kenny Burrell
- Piano: Earl Hines
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Jean-Luc Ponty , violin
- Arranger: Duke Ellington
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Male vocal artist: Louis Armstrong
- Female vocal artist: Ella Fitzgerald
- Blues group: BB King
- Reissue of the year: Blue Notes Three Decades of Jazz, Vol.1
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Jimi Hendrix
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Miles Davis
- Pop musician of the year: Frank Zappa
- Pop Album of the Year: Blood, Sweat & Tears Blood, Sweat & Tears Vol.3
- Big band: Duke Ellington
- Jazz Combo: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Cannonball Adderley
- Tenor saxophone: Stan Getz
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Miles Davis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Flute: Herbie Mann
- Drums: Buddy Rich
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Richard Davis
- Guitar: Kenny Burrell
- Piano: Herbie Hancock
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Arranger: Quincy Jones
- Male vocal artist: Leon Thomas
- Female vocal artist: Ella Fitzgerald
- Rock / Pop / Blues group: Blood, Sweat & Tears
1971
Critic poll: (in brackets artist deserving against recognition )
- Hall of Fame: Roy Eldridge , Django Reinhardt
- Jazz Big Band: Duke Ellington ( Sun Ra )
- Jazz Combo: Miles Davis ( Art Ensemble of Chicago )
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods ( Frank Strozier )
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter ( Budd Johnson )
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon ( Harold Ashby )
- Baritone saxophone: Harry Carney ( Pat Patrick )
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie ( Roy Eldridge )
- Trombone: Vic Dickenson ( Bill Watrous )
- Clarinet: Russell Procope ( Bob Wilber )
- Flute: James Moody ( Norris Turney )
- Drums: Elvin Jones ( Gus Johnson )
- Vibraphone: Bobby Hutcherson ( Roy Ayers , Karl Berger )
- Bass: Richard Davis ( Miroslav Vitouš )
- Guitar: Kenny Burrell ( Dennis Budimir )
- Piano: Earl Hines ( Jaki Byard , Tommy Flanagan )
- Organ: Jimmy Smith ( Eddy Louiss )
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty ( Michael White )
- Other instruments: Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Manzello, Stritch) ( Russ Whitman , bass saxophone)
- Arranger: Gil Evans ( Herbie Hancock )
- Composer: Duke Ellington ( Carla Bley )
- Blues, R & B group: BB King ( Soft Machine )
- Male vocal artist: Louis Armstrong ( Richard Boone )
- Female vocal artist: Ella Fitzgerald ( Betty Carter )
- Album of the Year: Duke Ellington New Orleans Suite (Atlantic)
- Reissue of the Year: Bessie Smith Series at Columbia
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Charles Mingus
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Miles Davis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Weather Report Weather Report
- Pop musician of the year: Frank Zappa
- Pop Album of the Year: Chase Chase
- Big band: Duke Ellington
- Jazz Combo: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Cannonball Adderley
- Tenor saxophone: Stan Getz
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Miles Davis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Buddy Rich
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Richard Davis
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: Kenny Burrell
- Piano: Herbie Hancock
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Arranger: Quincy Jones
- Male vocal artist: Leon Thomas
- Female vocal artist: Roberta Flack
- Rock / Pop / Blues group: Blood, Sweat & Tears
1972
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Clifford Brown
- Jazz album of the year: Jimmy Rushing The you and me that used to be
- Big band: Duke Ellington
- Acoustic band: World's Greatest Jazz Band
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Harry Carney
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Vic Dickenson
- Clarinet: Russell Procope
- Flute: James Moody
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Richard Davis
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: Kenny Burrell
- Piano: Earl Hines
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Rahsaan Roland Kirk , Manzello / Stritch
- Arranger: Duke Ellington
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Male vocal artist: Jimmy Rushing
- Female vocal artist: Ella Fitzgerald
- Blues group: BB King
- Reissue of the Year: Genius of Louis Armstrong, Vol.1
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Gene Krupa
- Jazz musician of the year: Ornette Coleman
- Jazz Album of the Year: Mahavishnu Orchestra Inner Mountain Flame
- Pop musician of the year: Frank Zappa
- Pop Album of the Year: Mahavishnu Orchestra Inner Mountain Flame
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Jazz Combo: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Miles Davis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Buddy Rich
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Richard Davis
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: John McLaughlin
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Arranger: Quincy Jones
- Male vocal artist: Leon Thomas
- Female vocal artist: Roberta Flack
- Rock / Pop / Blues group: Mahavishnu Orchestra
1973
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Fletcher Henderson
- Jazz album of the year: McCoy Tyner Sahara , Sonny Stitt Constellation
- Big band: Duke Ellington
- Acoustic band: Mahavishnu Orchestra
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Harry Carney
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Vic Dickenson
- Clarinet: Russell Procope
- Flute: James Moody
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass: Richard Davis
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: Kenny Burrell
- Piano: Earl Hines
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Rahsaan Roland Kirk , Manzello / Stritch
- Arranger: Duke Ellington
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Male vocal artist: Ray Charles
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues group: BB King
- Reissue of the year: Art Tatum God is in the House
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Sonny Rollins
- Jazz musician of the year: Chick Corea
- Jazz album of the year: Mahavishnu Orchestra Birds of Fire
- Pop Musician of the Year: Stevie Wonder
- Pop Album of the Year: Mahavishnu Orchestra Birds of Fire
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Jazz Combo: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Freddie Hubbard
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Benny Goodman
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Billy Cobham
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Ron Carter
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: John McLaughlin
- Piano: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Duke Ellington
- Arranger: Quincy Jones
- Male vocal artist: Leon Thomas
- Female vocal artist: Roberta Flack
- Rock / Pop / Blues group: Mahavishnu Orchestra
1974
Critic poll: (in brackets artist deserving against recognition )
- Hall of Fame: Ben Webster
- Jazz Big Band: Thad Jones - Mel Lewis ( Gil Evans )
- Jazz Combo: McCoy Tyner ( Ruby Braff - George Barnes Quartet)
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman ( Anthony Braxton )
- Soprano saxophone: Wayne Shorter ( Gerry Niewood )
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins ( Billy Harper )
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan ( Howard Johnson )
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie ( Jon Faddis )
- Trombone: Vic Dickenson ( Garnett Brown )
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk ( Kalaparusha Ara Difda )
- Flute: James Moody ( Jeremy Steig )
- Drums: Elvin Jones ( Billy Hart )
- Percussion: Airto Moreira ( Dom Um Romao )
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass, acoustic: Richard Davis ( Stanley Clarke )
- Bass, electric: Stanley Clarke
- Synthesizer: Jan Hammer , Paul Bley (Mike Mandel)
- Guitar: Jim Hall ( Ralph Towner )
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Organ: Jimmy Smith ( Clare Fischer , Eddy Louiss )
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty ( Leroy Jenkins )
- Other instruments: Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Manzello, Stritch) ( Howard Johnson , tuba)
- Arranger: Gil Evans ( Bill Stapleton )
- Composer: Duke Ellington ( McCoy Tyner )
- Blues, R & B group: BB King ( Jimmy Dawkins )
- Male vocal artist: Joe Williams ( Roy Eldridge , Stevie Wonder )
- Female vocal artist: Ella Fitzgerald ( Flora Purim )
- Vocal group: Pointer Sisters
- Album of the Year: Keith Jarrett Solo Concerts (ECM)
- Reissue of the year: Thelonious Monk , John Coltrane Monk / Trane (Milestone)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Buddy Rich
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Herbie Hancock
- Jazz Album of the Year: Weather Report Mysterious Traveler
- Pop Musician of the Year: Stevie Wonder
- Pop album of the year: Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness first final
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Jazz Combo: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Freddie Hubbard
- Trumpet: Garnett Brown
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Billy Cobham
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Stanley Clarke
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: John McLaughlin
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Synthesizer: Herbie Hancock
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Chick Corea
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Male vocal artist: Stevie Wonder
- Female vocal artist: Flora Purim
- Vocal group: Pointer Sisters
- Rock / Pop / Blues group: Frank Zappa Mothers of Invention
1975
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Cecil Taylor
- Jazz album of the year: Cecil Taylor Silent Tongues
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Acoustic band: McCoy Tyner
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Roswell Rudd
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass (acoustic): Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Stanley Clarke
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: Keith Jarrett / McCoy Tyner
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Sun Ra
- Other instruments: Rahsaan Roland Kirk , Manzello / Stritch
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Keith Jarrett
- Male vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues group: BB King
- Reissue of the year: Charlie Parker First Recordings , Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Cannonball Adderley
- Jazz Musician of the Year: McCoy Tyner
- Jazz Album of the Year: Weather Report Tale Spinnin
- Rock / Blues Album of the Year: Jeff Beck Blow by Blow
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Jazz Combo: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Miles Davis
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Billy Cobham
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Stanley Clarke
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Electric piano: Herbie Hancock
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Chick Corea
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Male vocal artist: Stevie Wonder
- Female vocal artist: Flora Purim
- Vocal group: Pointer Sisters
- Rock / blues group: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Rock / blues musician: Stevie Wonder
1976
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: King Oliver
- Big Band: Thad Jones - Mel Lewis
- Jazz group: McCoy Tyner
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Benny Goodman
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Bass, acoustic: Ron Carter
- Bass, electric: Stanley Clarke
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- Other instruments: Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Manzello, Stritch)
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Charles Mingus
- Male vocal artist: Mel Tormé , Joe Williams
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Label: Pablo Records
- Producer: Manfred Eicher
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- “Beyond” group: BB King
- Jazz Album of the Year: Oscar Peterson & Dizzy Gillespie (Pablo)
- Reissue of the Year: Herbie Nichols The Third World (Blue Note)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Woody Herman
- Jazz Musician of the Year: McCoy Tyner
- Jazz Album of the Year: Weather Report Black Market
- Beyond Album of the Year: Jeff Beck Wired
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Jazz Combo: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Freddie Hubbard
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Benny Goodman
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Billy Cobham
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Stanley Clarke
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: George Benson
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Electric piano: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Chick Corea
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Male vocal artist: Mel Tormé
- Female vocal artist: Flora Purim
- Rock / blues group: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Rock / blues musician: Jeff Beck
1977
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Benny Carter
- Jazz Album of the Year: Anthony Braxton Creative Orchestra Music - Arista
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Acoustic band: McCoy Tyner
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Stanley Clarke
- Violin: Joe Venuti
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- Other instruments: Howard Johnson , tuba
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Charles Mingus
- Label: Pablo Records
- Male vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: BB King
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Producer: Norman Granz
- Reissue of the Year: Lester Young Lester Young Story, Vol.1 , Columbia
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Paul Desmond
- Jazz Musician of the Year: McCoy Tyner
- Jazz Album of the Year: Weather Report Heavy Weather
- "Beyond" album of the year: Stevie Wonder Songs in the key of life
- Blues album of the year: Stevie Wonder Songs in the key of life
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Jazz Combo: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Stanley Clarke
- Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Electric piano: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Roland Kirk ( Manzello , Stritch)
- Composer: Chick Corea
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Male vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Female vocal artist: Flora Purim
- “Beyond” group: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Blues musician: Stevie Wonder
1978
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- Jazz album of the year: Toshiko Akiyoshi / Lew Tabackin Insights (RCA), Ornette Coleman Dancing in Your Head (Horizon), Dexter Gordon Sophisticated Giant , Homecoming (Columbia), Roscoe Mitchell Nonaah (Nessa)
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Acoustic band: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Roswell Rudd
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Violin: Stéphane Grappelli
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- Other instruments: Howard Johnson , tuba
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Charles Mingus
- Label: Columbia Records
- Male vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: BB King
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Producer: Norman Granz
- Reissue of the Year: Lester Young Lester Young Story, Vol.2,3 , Columbia
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Joe Venuti
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Dexter Gordon
- Jazz Album of the Year: Woody Shaw Rosewood
- “Beyond” album of the year: Steely Dan Aja
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi / Lew Tabackin
- Acoustic jazz group: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Woody Shaw
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Benny Goodman
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Chick Corea
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Male vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Female vocal artist: Flora Purim
- “Beyond” group: Steely Dan
- Blues musician: Stevie Wonder
1979
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Lennie Tristano
- Jazz Album of the Year: Charles Mingus Cumbia & Jazz Fusion (Atlantic)
- Big Band: Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- Acoustic band: Phil Woods Quartet
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Roswell Rudd
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Sam Rivers
- Drums: Elvin Jones
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Violin: Stéphane Grappelli
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- Other instruments: Howard Johnson , tuba
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Composer: Charles Mingus
- Label: Inner City
- Male vocal artist: Mel Tormé
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Producer: Michael Cuscuna
- Reissue of the Year: Charlie Parker The Savoy Sessions (Arista / Savoy)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Ella Fitzgerald
- Jazz musician of the year: Charles Mingus
- Jazz album of the year: Joni Mitchell Mingus
- “Beyond” album of the year: Steely Dan Aja
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi / Lew Tabackin
- Acoustic jazz group: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Woody Shaw
- Trumpet: Bill Watrous
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Hubert Laws
- Drums: Tony Williams
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Charles Mingus
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Male vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Female vocal artist: Flora Purim
- “Beyond” group: Steely Dan
- Blues musician: BB King