Starting in 1987, Billboard switched from having one “Top Jazz Albums” chart with forty chart positions to having two jazz albums charts: 1) the existing “Top Jazz Albums” chart was reduced to 15 chart positions, and 2) a new “Top Contemporary Jazz Albums” chart premiered with 25 positions. Here’s a chart of the #1 Top Jazz Albums of 1988:
| Week Ending | Album | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| January 9 | Diane Schuur and The Count Basie Orchestra | Diane Schuur and The Count Basie Orchestra |
| January 23 | ||
| February 6 | ||
| February 20 | ||
| March 5 | ||
| March 19 | ||
| April 2 | ||
| April 16 | ||
| April 30 | ||
| May 14 | ||
| May 28 | ||
| June 11 | ||
| June 25 | John Patitucci | John Patitucci |
| July 9 | Ella in Rome – The Birthday Concert | Ella Fitzgerald |
| July 23 | ||
| August 6 | ||
| August 20 | ||
| September 3 | ||
| September 17 | Look What I Got | Betty Carter |
| October 1 | ||
| October 15 | ||
| October 29 | Talkin’ ‘Bout You | Diane Schuur |
| November 12 | ||
| November 26 | ||
| December 10 | ||
| December 24 |
#1 Jazz Albums:
1970 · 1971 · 1972 · 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1976 · 1977 · 1978 · 1979
1980 · 1981 · 1982 · 1983 · 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 · 1988 · 1989
#1 Contemporary Jazz Albums:
1987 · 1988 · 1989