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…
The Suoni Per Il Popolo Festival (Sounds for the People Festival), in its sixth year, will include international acts such as Sun Ra Arkestra as part of a four-week celebration of Liberation music.
The festival, running from June 1-25, will reflect elements of diversity with many musical genres being showcased, including: bent rock, noise, avant folk, free jazz, urban beats, experimental electronics and contemporary composition. Both established musicians as well as younger, emerging artists are scheduled to appear, including 1960’s New York minimalist Charlemagne Palestine, backwoods guitar picker Jack Rose, Scandinavian jazz trio The Thing, Montreal’s Ken Vandermark and Japanese underground artist Tetuzi Akiyama. The festival will also feature a special series on Middle Eastern music and a “Tools of the Trade” workshop series.
“Liberation music is inspired by freedom of expression, improvisation, and sonic exploration and appeals to music aficionados world wide,” said festival founder Mauro Pezzente. “Given the context in which much of this music is made and the reaction it provokes, it is also music that resonates with progressive social movements.”
Details: suoniperilpopolo.org
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…
