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…
Nigerian juju star King Sunny Ade will make a two-month tour of North America this spring and summer. Along with the tour, his album Seven Degrees North (Blue Moon/Mesa) is being reissued.
Ade’s tour will begin in Atlanta on June 11 at the Variety Playhouse and end at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., on July 17. Other stops include such festival appearances as Bonnarroo in Manchester, Tenn. (June 12), Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles (June 14) and Vancouver International Jazz Festival in British Columbia (June 26).
Juju usually features interlocking guitars on top of complex dance rhythms, hand-held “talking” drums and 40-minute grooves.
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…
