December 2020

Features

• Christian McBride

  Spreading Serious Fun

  By Ed Enright

  McBride has some valuable wisdom to share. He knows how to make jazz more popular with young people and how to widen its appeal among the general public.​

• Pat Metheny

  Cinematic Vision

  By Bobby Reed

  A conversation with Metheny is similar to one of his shows: Some parts seem carefully constructed, while others are loose, improvisational flights. But the thematic undercurrent is one of sturdy, satisfying logic.​

• 85th Annual Readers Poll

  Complete Results

  By DownBeat Readers

  ​Winners in dozens of categories, including Jazz artist and Jazz Album of the year.

• 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

  Immortal Giants

  By DownBeat Writers

  ​A four-disc Charles Mingus set is a highlight of our seasonal shopping guide for music fanatics.

Blindfold Test

Karrin Allyson was tested on the following tracks for the “Blindfold Test”:

• Aretha Franklin: “For All We Know” from Laughing On The Outside (Columbia)
• Camila Meza: “Atardecer” from Ámbar (Sony Masterworks)
• Norma Winstone & John Taylor: “Lucky To Be Me” from In Concert (Sunnyside/Enodoc)
• Cécile McLorin Salvant: “Obsession” from The Window (Mack Avenue)
• Camille Bertault: “Là Où Tu Vas (Giant Steps)” from Pas De Géant (OKeh)
• Becca Stevens: “Both Still Here” from Regina (GroundUp)
• Fred Hersch & Jay Clayton: “Blame It On My Youth” from Beautiful Love (Sunnyside)

Also in this Issue