1980s
| Year | Winner | Nominations |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Anthony DeCurtis for Crossroads performed by Eric Clapton | |
| 1988 | Orrin Keepnews for The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings performed by Thelonious Monk | |
| 1987 | Gary Giddins, Wilfrid Sheed, Jonathan Schwartz, Murray Kempton, Andrew Sarris, Stephen Holden & Frank Conroy for The Voice: The Columbia Years 1943–1952 performed by Frank Sinatra | |
| 1986 | Peter Guralnick for Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club performed by Sam Cooke | |
| 1985 | Gunther Schuller & Martin Williams for Big Band Jazz performed by Various Artists | |
| 1984 | Orrin Keepnews for The "Interplay" Sessions performed by Bill Evans | |
| 1983 | John Chilton & Richard Sudhalter for Giants of Jazz: Bunny Berigan performed by Bunny Berigan | |
| 1982 | Dan Morgenstern for Erroll Garner: Master of the Keyboard performed by Erroll Garner | |
| 1981 | David McClintock for Trilogy: Past Present Future performed by Frank Sinatra | |
| 1980 | Bob Porter & James Patrick for Charlie Parker: The Complete Savoy Sessions performed by Charlie Parker |
Read more about this topic: Grammy Award For Best Album Notes