70th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll Delivers!

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Jon Batiste, the critics’ choice for Jazz Artist and Beyond Artist of the Year as well as Beyond Album of the Year.

(Photo: Stu Brinin)

The 70th Annual DownBeat International Critics Poll has made history with pianist Jon Batiste being the first artist to ever be named Jazz Artist and Beyond Artist of the Year. We Are, Batiste’s award-winning album, was also named Beyond Album of the Year.

“I moved to New York as a teenager to play jazz, like the late, great Christopher ‘Biggie Smalls’ Wallace said: ‘It was all a dream, I used to read DownBeat magazine,’” Batiste said on social media. “So now, to be named as both Jazz Artist and Beyond Artist of the Year by DownBeat is one of the most incredible honors I’ve ever received. The recognition and continued success of the We Are album has been astounding. It’s good to know that our goal of breaking down barriers and expanding the art form is resonating.”

The poll, published in DownBeat’s August 2022 issue, featured plenty of other pleasant surprises, too, with the late Geri Allen being inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. James Brandon Lewis’ Red Lily Quintet delivered Jessup Wagon (Tao Forms), the critics’ choice for Album of the Year. And John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle was named Historical Jazz Album of the Year.

The complete list of winners can be found below. The complete collectors issue of the poll can be purchased HERE. DB

2022 DownBeat Critics Poll Winners

Jazz Artist of the Year: Jon Batiste

Hall of Fame: Geri Allen

Jazz Album: James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet, Jessup Wagon (Tao Forms)

Historical Jazz Album: John Coltrane, A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle (Impulse!)

Jazz Group: Charles Lloyd & the Marvels

Large Jazz Ensemble: Maria Schneider Orchestra

Trumpet: Ambrose Akinmusire

Trombone: Michael Dease

Soprano Saxophone: Jane Ira Bloom

Alto Saxophone: Kenny Garrett

Tenor Saxophone: Charles Lloyd

Baritone Saxophone: Gary Smulyan

Clarinet: Anat Cohen

Flute: Nicole Mitchell

Piano: Kris Davis

Keyboard: Herbie Hancock

Organ: Joey DeFrancesco

Guitar: Mary Halvorson

Bass: Ron Carter

Electric Bass: Steve Swallow

Violin: Regina Carter

Drums: Brian Blade

Percussion: Hamid Drake

Vibraphone: Joel Ross

Miscellaneous Instrument: Tomeka Reid (cello)

Female Vocalist: Cécile McLoren Salvant

Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling

Composer: Maria Schneider

Arranger: Maria Schneider

Record Label: Blue Note

Producer: Zev Feldman

Blues Artist or Group: Shemekia Copeland

Blues Album: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, 662 (Alligator)

Beyond Artist or Group: Jon Batiste

Beyond Album: Jon Batiste, We Are (Verve)

Rising Star Winners

Rising Star–Jazz Artist: Melissa Aldana

Rising Star–Jazz Group: James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet

Rising Star–Large Ensemble: Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band

Rising Star–Trumpet: Theo Croker

Rising Star–Trombone: Alan Ferber

Rising Star–Soprano Saxophone: Roxy Coss

Rising Star–Alto Saxophone: Immanuel Wilkins

Rising Star–Tenor Saxophone: Noah Preminger

Rising Star–Baritone Saxophone: Mikko Innanen

Rising Star–Clarinet: Rebecca Trescher

Rising Star–Flute: Logan Richardson

Rising Star–Piano: Emmet Cohen

Rising Star–Keyboards: James Francies

Rising Star–Organ: Delvon Lamar

Rising Star–Guitar: Gilad Hekselman

Rising Star–Bass: Reuben Rogers

Rising Star–Electric Bass: Lisa Dowling

Rising Star–Violin: Macie Stewart

Rising Star–Drums: Jonathan Blake

Rising Star–Percussion: Kate Gentile

Rising Star–Vibraphone: Patricia Brennan

Rising Star–Miscellaneous Instrument: Hank Roberts (cello)

Rising Star–Female Vocalist: Camila Meza

Rising Star–Male Vocalist: Ben Williams

Rising Star–Composer: JD Allen

Rising Star–Arranger: Miho Hazama

Rising Star–Producer: Willie Jones III



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