Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
DownBeat’s 73rd Annual Critics Poll: One for the Record Books
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
The lineup for the 2009 NYC Winter Jazzfest was announced yesterday. The festival will take place Saturday, Jan. 10, at three venues around New York’s West Village—Le Poisson Rouge, Sullivan Hall and Kenny’s Castaways. This year’s shows mark the fifth year of the annual Winter Jazzfest and its continued mission to showcase jazz and experimental music.
Similar to past years, the 2009 Winter Jazzfest provides an opportunity for artists to perform in front of presenters, promoters, educators, musicians and fans, as more than 5000 arts professionals will be in New York for the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference held Jan. 9–13. Winter Jazzfest offers APAP conference attendees, and the general public, the opportunity to experience the best of new live jazz and experimental music in club venue settings.
The 2009 NYC Jazzfest includes performances by more than 20 artists and groups, including the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, the Dafnis Prieto Sextet, Theo Bleckmann with Todd Reynolds String Quartet and Jason Moran’s Bandwagon. This year’s festival features a special pre-release concert by Jeff “Tain” Watts entitled The Watts Project, including Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride and Prometheus Jenkins. The group will perform new music from their CD WATTS, A Socio-Political Concept Album.
More info: winterjazzfest.com
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…
“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
Jul 8, 2025 7:30 AM
At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally…
Jul 17, 2025 11:35 AM
The DownBeat Critics Poll provides a wonderful snapshot of the jazz scene today, with much to explore and many great…
