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…
hatOLOGY will reissue a remastered version of the Steve Lacy Five’s 1979 effort, The Way.
The album features Lacy on soprano sax, Steve Potts on alto and soprano saxes, Irène Aebi on cello, violin and vocals, Kent Carter on double bass, and Oliver Johnson on drums. They recorded the album during a concert in Basel, Switzerland, on Jan. 23, 1979.
The title of the record comes from an old Chinese text written by Lao-Tzu. The music was composed starting in 1959, with each part of the album’s cycle a tribute to a jazz artist: “Existence” (dawn) for John Coltrane, “The Way” (morning) for Alberto Giacometti, “Bone” (noon) for Lester Young, “Name” (afternoon) for Charlie Parker, “The Breath” (evening) for Gil Evans and “Life On Its Way” (night) for Duke Ellington.
For more information, visit www.hathut.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
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“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…