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…
On Feb. 3, 2009, Marco Benevento will release his new studio album Me Not Me, which features the composer/keyboardist’s interpretations of songs by artists like My Morning Jacket, Leonard Cohen and Deerhoof, among others. The 10-track collection will arrive within a year from the release of Benevento’s debut studio album, Invisible Baby. Both albums feature bassist Reed Mathis and drummers Matt Chamberlain and Andrew Barr.
Benevento has also recently formed his own label, The Royal Potato Family, for the release of Me Not Me.
“When I first started touring with the trio, in addition to my own material, there was a great opportunity for me to perform tunes from other artists that I’d always wanted to play, both a combination of older rock songs and modern tunes that are part of our current culture,” Benevento said. “So the next step was to make a record with some of this material. I decided to leave the harmony of the songs pretty close to the originals, but really get into messing with the arrangements. I got into sculpting sound around the original piano parts by using some of my favorite keyboards and re-amping them in interesting ways.”
More info: marcobenevento.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…