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…
Saxophonist Howard Wiley brings a jazz take to Alan Lomax’s 1950s field recordings for his new disc, The Angola Project . Wiley performs songs from the Lomax-compiled Angola Prison Spirituals alongside his own compositions, which he says derive from the field recordings.
“The recordings were some of the most powerful and original music I’d ever heard,” Wiley said. “The technique of allowing the melody/soloist to dictate the tempo of a song which changes with each solo transected spiritually with what I hear when I listen to Mahalia Jackson and John Coltrane.”
Other participants on the disc include saxophonist David Murray, vocalist Faye Carol, bassist Dave Ewell, drummer Sly Randolph and trumpeter Geechi Taylor.
For more information on Howard Wiley go to www.howardwiley.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.
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…
