Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
George Benson is the newest inductee in the DownBeat Hall of Fame.
(Photo: Carl Hyde)DownBeat is proud to announce the results of its 85th Annual Readers Poll.
Readers have voted to induct singer and guitarist George Benson into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. Benson, who launched his career as a child prodigy in his native Pittsburgh, became a household name in the 1970s and ’80s, thanks to hit singles like “This Masquerade,” “On Broadway,” “Give Me The Night” and “Turn Your Love Around.”
Christian McBride topped the Jazz Artist and Bass categories. In February, McBride released The Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait Of Four Icons, and in September, he released the big-band album For Jimmy, Wes And Oliver.
Pat Metheny—who was voted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame via the 2013 Readers Poll—topped the Guitar category, and his disc From This Place (Nonesuch) was voted Jazz Album of the Year.
Pianist Chick Corea’s Trilogy—which includes McBride and drummer Brian Blade—won the Jazz Group category. Blade topped the Drums category.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra topped the Big Band category, Anat Cohen won the Clarinet category and Diana Krall was voted Female Vocalist of the Year. There was a tie in the results of the Male Vocalist category, so the co-winners are Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter.
The readers’ choice for top Blues Album is Robert Cray’s That’s What I Heard (Nozzle/Thirty Tigers), and Buddy Guy is the winner of the Blues Artist or Group Category.
“We are proud to welcome the incredible George Benson to the DownBeat Hall of Fame,” said DownBeat Editor Bobby Reed. “This accolade is just the latest in a long line of honors for him, including 10 Grammy Awards and an NEA Jazz Masters fellowship. Benson’s latest album, Weekend In London, provides ample evidence that he remains among the most mesmerizing artists on the scene today.”
The December issue of DownBeat contains the complete results in all 34 Readers Poll categories. The issue includes features on Benson, McBride and Metheny, as well as articles on two artists who received posthumous honors: John Coltrane, whose album Blue World (Impulse) topped the Historical Album of the Year category, and Lee Konitz (1927–2020), who won the Alto Saxophone category
The list of this year’s winners is below. See the winners of 84th Annual Readers Poll here.
85TH ANNUAL DOWNBEAT READERS POLL WINNERS
Hall of Fame: George Benson
Jazz Artist: Christian McBride
Jazz Group: Chick Corea Trilogy
Big Band: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Jazz Album: Pat Metheny, From This Place (Nonesuch)
Historical Album: John Coltrane, Blue World (Impulse)
Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
Trombone: Trombone Shorty
Soprano Saxophone: Branford Marsalis
Alto Saxophone: Lee Konitz
Tenor Saxophone: Chris Potter
Baritone Saxophone: James Carter
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Flute: Hubert Laws
Piano: McCoy Tyner
Keyboard: Herbie Hancock
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco
Guitar: Pat Metheny
Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Marcus Miller
Violin: Regina Carter
Drums: Brian Blade
Percussion: Poncho Sanchez
Vibraphone: Stefon Harris
Miscellaneous Instrument: Béla Fleck (banjo)
Female Vocalist: Diana Krall
Male Vocalist (TIE): Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter
Composer: Maria Schneider
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: Blue Note
Blues Artist or Group: Buddy Guy
Blues Album: Robert Cray, That’s What I Heard (Nozzle/Thirty Tigers)
Beyond Artist or Group: Jeff Beck
Beyond Album: Bill Frisell, Harmony (Blue Note)
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To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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