Jan 13, 2026 2:09 PM
More Trump-Kennedy Center Cancellations
The fallout from the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include President Donald…
Kamasi Washington topped three categories in the DownBeat Critics Poll, including Jazz Album of the Year, for his three-disc set, The Epic.
(Photo: Mike Park)Flute: Nicole Mitchell
Piano: Kenny Barron
Keyboard: Robert Glasper
Organ (tie): Joey DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith
Guitar: Bill Frisell
Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Marcus Miller
Violin: Regina Carter
Drums: Jack DeJohnette
Percussion: Hamid Drake
Vibraphone: Gary Burton
Miscellaneous Instrument: Béla Fleck (banjo)
Female Vocalist: Cécile McLorin Salvant
Male Vocalist: Gregory Porter
Composer: Maria Schneider
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: ECM
Producer: Manfred Eicher
Blues Artist or Group: Buddy Guy
Blues Album: Buddy Guy, Born To Play Guitar (RCA)
Beyond Artist or Group: David Bowie
Beyond Album: David Bowie, Blackstar (Columbia)
RISING STAR WINNERS
Rising Star–Jazz Artist: Kamasi Washington
Rising Star–Jazz Group: JD Allen Trio
Rising Star–Big Band: Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra
Rising Star–Trumpet: Marquis Hill
Rising Star–Trombone: Michael Dease
Rising Star–Soprano Saxophone: Donny McCaslin
Rising Star–Alto Saxophone: Grace Kelly
Rising Star–Tenor Saxophone: Kamasi Washington
Rising Star–Baritone Saxophone: Lisa Parrott
Rising Star–Clarinet: Oran Etkin
Rising Star–Flute: Elena Pinderhughes
Rising Star–Piano: Joey Alexander
Rising Star–Keyboard (tie): Nik Bärtsch and Sam Yahel
Rising Star–Organ: Pat Bianchi
Rising Star–Guitar: Liberty Ellman
Rising Star–Bass: Luques Curtis
Rising Star–Electric Bass: Tim Lefebvre
Rising Star–Violin: Mads Tolling
Rising Star–Drums (tie): Mark Guiliana and Kendrick Scott
Rising Star–Percussion: Ches Smith
Rising Star–Vibraphone: Khan Jamal
Rising Star–Miscellaneous Instrument: Omer Avital (oud)
Rising Star–Female Vocalist: Kate McGarry
Rising Star–Male Vocalist: Ku-umba Frank Lacy
Rising Star–Composer: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Rising Star–Arranger: Christine Jensen
Rising Star–Producer: Zev Feldman
Belá Fleck during an interview with Fredrika Whitfield on CNN.
Jan 13, 2026 2:09 PM
The fallout from the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include President Donald…
Peplowski first came to prominence in legacy swing bands, including the final iteration of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, before beginning a solo career in the late 1980s.
Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
The success of Oregon’s first album, 1971’s Music Of Another Present Era, allowed Towner to establish a solo career.
Jan 19, 2026 5:02 PM
Ralph Towner, a guitarist and composer who blended multiple genres, including jazz — and throughout them all remained…
Rico’s Anti-Microbial Instrument Swab
Jan 19, 2026 2:48 PM
With this year’s NAMM Show right around the corner, we can look forward to plenty of new and innovative instruments…
Richie Beirach was particularly renowned for his approach to chromatic harmony, which he used to improvise reharmonizations of originals and standards.
Jan 27, 2026 11:19 AM
Richie Beirach, a pianist and composer who channeled a knowledge of modern classical music into his jazz practice,…
