DownBeat 87th Annual Readers Poll Winners

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Hall of Fame ​Kenny Barron has been a model of grace and elegance for more than six decades.

(Photo: Michael Jackson)

The readers have spoken in the 87th annual DownBeat Readers Poll, handing a triple-crown victory to Jazz Artist, Bassist and Producer of the Year Christian McBride. The poll results appear in the December 2022 issue of DownBeat.

Pianist Kenny Barron, a model of grace and elegance for more than six decades, was elected to the DownBeat Hall of Fame.

Guitarist of the Year Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye NYC (VI.IV) was voted Album of the Year, handing the perennial readers’ favorite a double win.

Snarky Puppy, the jazz-funk-rock-world juggernaut led by Michael League, was honored for the third time as Group of the Year.

Readers bade a fond farewell to the late Joey DeFrancesco by voting him Organist of the Year one final time.

In addition to those awards, readers bestowed the Historical Album of the Year award upon John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle. Buddy Guy won Blues Artist of the Year honors, and Keb Mo’s Good To Be … won Blues Album of the Year. Jon Batiste was named Beyond Artist of the Year, and Robert Glasper’s Black Radio III won Beyond Album of the Year.

Click HERE for the complete DownBeat 87th Annual Readers Poll listings. DB



  • Claire_Daly_George_Garzone_at_Dizzys_2023_5x7_copy.jpg

    Claire Daly, right, ​performs with tenor saxophonist George Garzone at Dizzy’s in 2023.

  • Benny_Golson_by_Michael_Jackson.jpg

    Benny Golson soaks in the music during a late-career performance at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase.

  • Quincy_Jones_by_artstreiber.com1.jpg

    Quincy Jones’ gifts transcended jazz, but jazz was his first love.

  • John-McNeil-credit-to-Eldon-Phillips.jpg

    McNeil’s virtuosity as a player was unimpeachable and his imagination as an improviser was vast.

  • John_McLaughlin_by_Mark_Sheldon.jpg

    John McLaughlin likened his love for the guitar to the emotion he expressed 71 years ago upon receiving his first one. “It’s the same to this day,” he said.


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