List of 1980s down beat poll winners
This is a list of Down Beat magazine poll winners (readers and critics) in the 1980s:
1980
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Max Roach
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lew Tabackin
- Jazz group: Art Ensemble of Chicago
- Alto saxophone: Art Pepper
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Albert Mangelsdorff
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Lew Tabackin
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Bass, acoustic: Charlie Haden
- Bass, electric: Jaco Pastorius
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Label: Inner City Records , ECM
- Producer: Michael Cuscuna
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Jazz album of the year: Air Air Lore (Arista / Novus)
- Reissue of the year: Charles Mingus Mingus at Antibes (Atlantic)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Dexter Gordon
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Dexter Gordon
- Jazz Album of the Year: Jack DeJohnette Special Edition
- Beyond album of the year: The Clash London Calling
- 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: Jack DeJohnette
- 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: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Vocal artist: Flora Purim
- “Beyond” group: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Blues musician: Stevie Wonder
1981
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Bill Evans (pianist)
- Jazz Album of the Year: Art Ensemble of Chicago Full Force (ECM)
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi / Lew Tabackin
- Acoustic band: Art Ensemble of Chicago
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Dizzy Gillespie
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Lew Tabackin
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans , harmonica
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Label: Concord Records
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Producer: Michael Cuscuna
- Reissue of the Year: Lennie Tristano Requiem (Atlantic)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Art Blakey
- Jazz Musician of the Year: Miles Davis
- Jazz album of the year: Miles Davis Man with the horn (Columbia)
- Beyond album of the year: Steely Dan Gaucho
- 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: Freddie Hubbard
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: Lew Tabackin
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: Steely Dan
- Blues musician: Stevie Wonder
1982
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Fats Navarro
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lew Tabackin
- Jazz group: Art Ensemble of Chicago
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Archie Shepp
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Lester Bowie
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: James Newton
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Bass, acoustic: Charlie Haden
- Bass, electric: Steve Swallow
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Sun Ra
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Composer: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Label: Concord Jazz , HatHut Records
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini , Carl Jefferson
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Jazz Album of the Year: Old and New Dreams Playing (ECM)
- Reissue of the Year: Steve Lacy Evidence (Prestige)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Art Pepper
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Wynton Marsalis Wynton Marsalis (Columbia)
- "Beyond" album of the year: The Police In the machine
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi / Lew Tabackin
- Acoustic jazz group: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Benny Goodman
- Flute: Lew Tabackin
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Blues musician: Stevie Wonder
1983
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Albert Ayler
- Big Band: Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lew Tabackin
- Jazz group, acoustic: Art Blakey
- Jazz group, electric: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Lester Bowie
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Anthony Braxton
- Flute: James Newton
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Bass, acoustic: Charlie Haden
- Bass, electric: Steve Swallow
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- Other instruments: Howard Johnson (tuba)
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Label: Elektra / Musician
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini
- Blues artist: Ray Charles
- Jazz Album of the Year: Muhal Richard Abrams Black Forever (Black Saint)
- Reissue of the year: Pee Wee Russell Pied Piper of Jazz (Columbia, Commodore)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Stephane Grappelli
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Miles Davis Star People (Columbia)
- "Beyond" album of the year: The Police Synchronicity
- Big Band: Count Basie
- Acoustic jazz group: Art Blakey ’s Jazz Messengers
- Electric jazz group: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Benny Goodman
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Guitar: Pat Metheny
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Male vocal artist: Al Jarreau
- Female vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: The Police
- “Beyond” artist: Donald Fagen
1984
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Sun Ra
- Big Band: Count Basie
- Jazz group, acoustic: Art Blakey
- Jazz group, electric: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: John Carter
- Flute: James Newton
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Bass, acoustic: Charlie Haden
- Bass, electric: Steve Swallow
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Label: Black Saint / Soul Note
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini
- Blues artist: Ray Charles
- Beyond group: The Police
- Jazz Album of the Year: Charlie Haden The Ballad of the Fallen (ECM)
- Reissue of the Year: Thelonious Monk The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Thelonious Monk (Mosaic)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Oscar Peterson
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Miles Davis Decoy (Columbia)
- Beyond Album of the Year: Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA
- Big Band: Count Basie
- Acoustic jazz group: Wynton Marsalis Quartet
- Electric jazz group: Weather Report
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: Buddy DeFranco
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Jaco Pastorius
- Guitar: Joe Pass
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: The Police
- "Beyond" artist: Michael Jackson
1985
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Zoot Sims
- Jazz album of the year: Various: That's the way I feel now - a tribute to Thelonious Monk
- Big band: Sun Ra
- Acoustic band: Art Ensemble of Chicago
- Electric band: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: John Carter
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans , harmonica
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Label: Black Saint / Soul Note
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini
- Reissue of the year: Clifford Brown The complete Blue Note and Pacific Jazz Recordings (Mosaic)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Sarah Vaughan
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Jack DeJohnette Album Album (ECM)
- “Beyond” album of the year: Sting The Dream of the Blue Turtles
- Big Band: Count Basie
- acoustic jazz group: Phil Woods
- electric jazz group: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Buddy DeFranco
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Guitar: Stanley Jordan
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: Sting
- “Beyond” artist: Sting
1986
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Gil Evans
- Jazz album of the year: James Newton The African Flower
- Big Band: Count Basie
- Acoustic band: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
- Electric band: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Dexter Gordon
- Baritone saxophone: Pepper Adams
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Lester Bowie
- Trumpet: Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: John Carter
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Guitar: John Scofield
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans , harmonica
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Label: Black Saint / Soul Note
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues artist: Ray Charles
- Beyond artist: Stevie Wonder
- Producer: Michael Cuscuna
- Reissue of the year: Charles Mingus The Complete Candid Recordings (Mosaic), Ben Webster Complete Ben Webster on EmArcy (EmArcy / Polygram)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Stan Getz
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Pat Metheny , Ornette Coleman Song X ( Geffen )
- Blues Album of the Year: Stevie Wonder In Small circles (Motown)
- "Beyond" Album of the Year: Whitney Houston Whitney Houston (Arista)
- Big Band: Count Basie
- acoustic jazz group: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
- Electric jazz group: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Eddie Daniels
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Ron Carter
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Guitar: Pat Metheny
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues artist: Stevie Wonder
- Blues group: Neville Brothers
- “Beyond” group: Sting
- “Beyond” artist: Sting
1987
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Johnny Dodds , Thad Jones , Teddy Wilson
- Big band: Gil Evans
- Jazz group, acoustic: Art Blakey 's Jazz Messengers
- Jazz group, electric: Ornette Coleman and Prime Time
- Alto saxophone: Ornette Coleman
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Lester Bowie
- Trumpet: Ray Anderson , Jimmy Knepper
- Clarinet: John Carter
- Flute: James Newton
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Bass, acoustic: Charlie Haden
- Bass, electric: Steve Swallow
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Label: Black Saint / Soul Note
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini
- Blues artist: Ray Charles
- Beyond artist: Paul Simon
- Jazz Album of the Year: Ornette Coleman , Pat Metheny Song X (Geffen)
- Reissue of the year: Duke Ellington The Blanton / Webster Years (RCA, Bluebird), Thelonious Monk The Complete Riverside Recordings (Riverside)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Lionel Hampton
- Jazz musician of the year: Ornette Coleman
- Jazz album of the year: Michael Brecker Michael Brecker (Impulse!)
- "Beyond" album of the year: Paul Simon Graceland (Warner)
- Big band: Gil Evans
- Acoustic jazz group: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
- Electric jazz group: Pat Metheny Group
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Michael Brecker
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Eddie Daniels
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Gary Burton
- Acoustic bass: Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Marcus Miller
- Guitar: Pat Metheny
- Piano: McCoy Tyner
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Carla Bley
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: Sting
- “Beyond” artist: Paul Simon
1988
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Kenny Clarke
- Jazz album of the year: Ornette Coleman In all languages (Caravan of Dreams)
- Big band: Sun Ra
- Acoustic band: Phil Woods Quintet
- Electric band: Ornette Coleman and Prime Time
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Ray Anderson
- Clarinet: John Carter
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Bass (acoustic): Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Guitar: Jim Hall
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Chick Corea
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans , harmonica
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Composer: Henry Threadgill
- Label: Black Saint / Soul Note
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- Blues artist: Ray Charles
- Beyond artist: Sting
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini
- Reissue of the year: Herbie Nichols The complete Blue Note Recordings (Mosaic)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Jaco Pastorius
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Wynton Marsalis Standard Time (Columbia)
- "Beyond" album of the year: Sting Nothing like the sun (A&M)
- Blues Album of the Year: Stevie Wonder Characters (Motown)
- Big band: Gil Evans
- acoustic jazz group: Phil Woods
- electric jazz group: Chick Corea Electric Band
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Michael Brecker
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Eddie Daniels
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Airto Moreira
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Acoustic bass: Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Guitar: Pat Metheny , John Scofield
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Chick Corea
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Henry Threadgill
- Arranger: Gil Evans
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Sarah Vaughan
- “Beyond” group: Sting
- “Beyond” artist: Sting
1989
Critic Poll:
- Hall of Fame: Chet Baker
- Big band: Sun Ra Arkestra
- Jazz group, acoustic: Phil Woods
- Jazz group, electric: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano Saxophone: Steve Lacy
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: Ray Anderson
- Clarinet: John Carter
- Flute: James Newton
- Guitar: John Scofield
- Violin: Stephane Grappelli
- Bass, acoustic: Charlie Haden
- Bass, electric: Steve Swallow
- Drums: Max Roach
- Percussion: Naná Vasconcelos
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Piano: Cecil Taylor
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Electric Keyboard: Sun Ra
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)
- Arranger: Benny Carter
- Composer: Henry Threadgill
- Vocal artist: Joe Williams
- Vocal artist: Betty Carter
- Label: Black Saint / Soul Note
- Producer: Giovanni Bonandrini
- Blues artist or group: Ray Charles
- Beyond artist: Sting
- Jazz Album of the Year: Jack DeJohnette Audio Visualscapes (Impulse)
- Reissue of the Year: Charlie Parker The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve (Verve)
Reader poll:
- Hall of Fame: Woody Shaw
- Jazz musician of the year: Wynton Marsalis
- Jazz Album of the Year: Pat Metheny Letter from Home (Geffen)
- "Beyond" Album of the Year: Prince Batman (Warner Bros. Records)
- Big band: Sun Ra
- Acoustic jazz group: Phil Woods
- Electric jazz group: Miles Davis
- Alto saxophone: Phil Woods
- Tenor saxophone: Sonny Rollins
- Baritone saxophone: Gerry Mulligan
- Soprano saxophone: Branford Marsalis
- Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
- Trumpet: JJ Johnson
- Clarinet: Eddie Daniels
- Flute: James Newton
- Drums: Jack DeJohnette
- Percussion: Tito Puente
- Vibraphone: Milt Jackson
- Acoustic bass: Charlie Haden
- Electric bass: Steve Swallow
- Guitar: Pat Metheny
- Piano: Oscar Peterson
- Electric keyboard: Joe Zawinul
- Organ: Jimmy Smith
- Other instruments: Toots Thielemans ( harmonica )
- Composer: Henry Threadgill
- Arranger: Toshiko Akiyoshi
- Vocal artist: Bobby McFerrin
- Vocal artist: Betty Carter
- “Beyond” group: Sting
- “Beyond” artist: Sting