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…
Marc Copeland (left), Drew Gress, John Abercrombie and Joey Baron will release a new album, Up And Coming, on ECM on Jan. 13.
(Photo: Courtesy ECM)Guitarist John Abercrombie, who has recorded as a leader for the ECM label since 1974, returns with a second album by his quartet featuring pianist Marc Copland and longtime rhythm partners Drew Gress on bass and Joey Baron on drums.
The album, titled Up And Coming, will be released on ECM on Jan. 13.
The group’s previous album, 39 Steps, was released in 2013 to wide critical acclaim, praised in for its lyricism and nuance in the February 2014 issue of DownBeat (the album was also among DownBeat’s “Best Albums of 2014”).
The same elements of melody and harmonic/rhythmic subtlety are apparent with Up and Coming, which consists of eight tracks, including five originals by Abercrombie, two by Copland and Miles Davis’ 1958 composition “Nardis.”
The quartet has announced a U.S. tour in support of the album, with stops at the Regattabar in Cambridge, Massachusetts (Jan. 21); Birdland in New York City (Jan. 24–28); Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. (Jan. 31); DazzleJazz in Denver (Feb. 17–18); the Portland Jazz Festival in Portland, Oregon (Feb. 19); and SFJAZZ in San Francisco (Feb. 23).
For more information, visit the ECM Records website.
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…
