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…
Henry Threadgill has been honored with a Lifetime Achivement in Jazz award from the Jazz Journalists Association.
(Photo: Nhumi Threadgill)Henry Threadgill, Kamasi Washington, Maria Schneider and DownBeat are among the honorees for the 20th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards.
The awards for Threadgill (Lifetime Achivement in Jazz) and other artists were announced in May. Schneider, an acclaimed bandleader and Grammy winner, picked up five awards, topping the categories for Record of the Year (The Thompson Fields), Musician of the Year, Composer of the Year, Arranger of the Year and Large Ensemble of the Year (Maria Schneider Orchestra).
Washington—the tenor saxophonist whose album The Epic (Brainfeeder) was one of the most talked-about albums of 2015—was honored as Up And Coming Artist of the Year.
Among the other previously announced honorees for musical achievement, Wadada Leo Smith was named Trumpeter of the Year, and Jane Ira Bloom was named Soprano Saxophonist of the Year.
On June 15 at the Blue Note club in New York City, the JJA presented the Jazz Awards for Journalism and Media. DownBeat was named the inaugural winner of the category Jazz Periodical of the Year (a new category that combines the previous categories Jazz Publication of the Year and Jazz Website of the Year).
Ted Panken, a longtime contributor to DownBeat, was honored with the award for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz Journalism.
To see a complete list of winners, visit the JJA website. 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.
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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.
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“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
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The DownBeat Critics Poll provides a wonderful snapshot of the jazz scene today, with much to explore and many great…
