I had the pleasure of putting together a number of "best of" lists this year.  They're largely consistent, though each varies ever so slightly due to criteria, including date windows, and formatting regarding additional categories (i.e. Vocals, Latin, Historical).  This is the list/ballot I submitted for Francis Davis' annual poll--the most respected and widely-read of the year-end jazz polls.     

New Releases:

1. Fabian Almazan, This Land Abounds with Life (Biophilia)

2. Jennifer Wharton’s Bonegasm, Bonegasm (Sunnyside)

3. Dan McCarthy, Epoch (Origin)

4. Skyjack, The Hunter (Enja/Yellowbird)

5. Youn Sun Nah, Immersion (Warner Music)

6. Peter Eldridge/Kenny Werner, Somewhere (Rosebud Music)

7. Sara Gazarek, Thirsty Ghost (MRI)

8. Matt Mitchell, Phalanx Ambassadors (Pi)

9. Scott Robinson, Tenormore (Arbors)

10. Brittany Anjou, Enamiĝo Reciprokataj (Origin)

Reissues/Historical:

1. John Coltrane, Blue World (Impulse!)

2. Eric Dolphy, Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 New York Studio Sessions (Resonance)

3. Wes Montgomery, Back on Indiana Avenue: The Carroll DeCamp Recordings (Resonance)

 

Vocal:

Youn Sun Nah, Immersion (Warner Music)

Debut:

Jennifer Wharton’s Bonegasm, Bonegasm (Sunnyside)

Latin:

Bill O’Connell and The Afro Caribbean Ensemble, Wind Off The Hudson (Savant)