| Rank | Artist | Recording | Label |
| 1 | PAT METHENY | Unity Band | Nonesuch |
| 2 | SOUTH FLORIDA JAZZ ORCHESTRA | Trumpet Summit | MAMA |
| 3 | DARIUS JONES QUARTET | The Book Of Mae'Bul | AUM Fidelity |
| 4 | SAM RIVERS / DAVE HOLLAND / BARRY ALTSCHUL | Reunion: Live In New York | Pi Recordings |
| 5 | JOE MORRIS, WILLIAM PARKER, GERALD CLEAVER | Altitude | AUM Fidelity |
| 6 | PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND | St. Peter And 57th Street | Rounder |
| 7 | CATHERINE RUSSELL | Strictly Romancin' | World Village |
| 8 | JOSHUA ABRAMS | Represencing | Eremite |
| 9 | GRASS ROOTS | The Grass Roots | Aum Fidelity |
| 10 | CHICAGO UNDERGROUND DUO | Age Of Energy | Northern Spy |
