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…
Bassist Ben Allison’s new album, Little Things Run The World (Palmetto), features a rendition of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” plus six of Allison’s original compositions and a song by guitarist Steve Cardenas. Allison arranged “Jealous Guy” for his band Man Size Safe as a nod to Donny Hathaway’s rendition of Lennon’s song.
Fusing rock, jazz, americana, blues and soul music, Little Things Run The World was inspired by biologist E.O. Wilson’s acceptance speech for the 2007 TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Prize. Wilson’s commentary on the interdependence of all creatures great and small is an underlying theme on the record and a direct inspiration for the album’s title.
Palmetto will sell Little Things Run The World CDs and mp3s exclusively on its website, palmetto-records.com, starting Dec. 4. The album will be available in stores starting Jan. 22.
The album features:
Ben Allison, bass
Michael Sarin, drums
Steve Cardenas, guitar
Ron Horton, trumpet
Michael Blake, saxophone
More info: benallison.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.
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Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
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At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally…
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The DownBeat Critics Poll provides a wonderful snapshot of the jazz scene today, with much to explore and many great…
