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 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation will hold auditions for its Don Jamison Heritage School of Music, a free after-school program, in the first week of September.
Auditions will be held: Thursday, Sept. 4, 3:30 p.m., at Lusher Charter High School, and Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m., in the Cook Fine Arts Center at Dillard University.
The auditions are open to music students ages 11 to 18 from the greater New Orleans area. Instruction will be in brass, woodwinds, piano, bass, drums and voice. The school accepts beginners to advanced students. Beginners and intermediate-level students are being directed to the Lusher campus; the Dillard campus will cater to more advanced students, who will receive instruction in composing and arranging, computer programs for music notation and music business.
More info: jazzandheritage.org
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…
