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 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), along with the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE), has commissioned two new compositions to honor the life and work of Frank Foster.
This is the 11th year ASCAP and IAJE have selected composers—one an established composer, the other an emerging composer—to create works celebrating a jazz legend. The organizations awarded cash prizes to composer and jazz trumpeter Tim Hagans, this year’s winner in the former category, and composer Ayn Inserto, this year’s winner in the latter category.
Their pieces will receive their premiere performances at the January 2008 IAJE Conference in Toronto.
Frank Foster is a composer, saxophonist and bandleader, best known for his work as an arranger and leader with the Count Basie Big Band. He joins a list of ASCAP/IAJE honorees that includes Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.
For more information, see ascap.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…
