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…
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…
“Tito’s charisma, along with the rhythmic interaction and melodic interaction — everything was so fine, so exquisite,” said percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo.
Jul 17, 2025 12:36 PM
When percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo speaks about Tito Puente, he spins out a flood of examples of his mentor’s…
“I’m always searching,” said Lewis. “The work never ends.”
Jul 17, 2025 12:32 PM
James Brandon Lewis is no stranger to the DownBeat Critics Poll. In 2023, the Brooklyn-based saxophonist received the…
“No matter how complex the source is, I still ask myself a question: Does it feel good?” says Brennan.
Jul 17, 2025 12:27 PM
You could pretty much see this one coming. If you were one of Patricia Brennan’s Facebook friends, her wall posts…
Isaiah Collier, the critics’ choice for Rising Star Group of the Year, Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist of the Year and Rising Star Flutist of the Year.
Jul 17, 2025 11:51 AM
We asked our participating critics to elaborate on several of this year’s honorees in the 73rd Annual DownBeat…
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…
Donald Harrison is among the headliners at the Quantum Leap Music Festival, to be held Aug. 14–17 on Long Island.
Jul 15, 2025 11:27 AM
It’s festival season in the world of jazz, blues and beyond. And as updates come in to DownBeat, we’ll send them…
“I want to build an organization that is reflective of the values of improvisation,” says Mark Christman, founder of Ars Nova Workshop.
Jul 15, 2025 10:44 AM
Robert Whalley moved to Philadelphia in the early 2000s with an omnivorous appetite for music. Growing up in England,…
“What if we started a record label?” was the question posed by Shifting Paradigm artist and co-founder Zacc Harris.
Jul 8, 2025 7:24 AM
Artist-run labels have long played key roles in jazz history. Many, like Debut (co-founded by Charles Mingus and Max…
“I was playing under a tree one day and then for a Beatle the next day,” Robin Nolan says of his friendship with the late George Harrison.
Jul 8, 2025 7:17 AM
It was through a masterstroke of serendipity that Dutch guitarist Robin Nolan came to meet ex-Beatle George Harrison…
