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…
“Summer on the Plaza,” a free concert series on the Grace Building plaza in Manhattan, will feature the Henry Grimes Quartet on July 17.
Grimes’s musical career has been somewhat of an anomaly. It began brilliantly, with the Julliard-educated bassist laying it down on some 50 albums between the mid ‘50s and mid ‘60s, including those of Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner. But Grimes fell into obscurity, for years working as a manual laborer, after he couldn’t afford necessary repairs for his bass.
Armed with a new instrument—a gift from William Parker—Grimes emerged to begin playing music again in 2003. Since then, he has played and taught internationally, to wide critical acclaim.
His quartet includes tenor man J.D. Allen, trumpeter James Zollar and drummer Newman Taylor Baker. The concert, presented by Brookfield Properties and The International Center of Photography, is a musical salute to African-American heroes and heroines portrayed in the International Center of Photography exhibit “Let Your Motto Be Resistance.”
For more details, visit icp.org. DB
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…
