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| DownBeat Announces Winners of 2019 Critics Poll Singer-songwriter Cécile McLorin Salvant, saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Sullivan Fortner are among the dozens of winners in the 67th Annual DownBeat International Critics Poll. Salvant topped two categories: Jazz Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She generated tremendous acclaim for her 2018 duo album, The Window (Mack Avenue), which she recorded with Sullivan Fortner, who is the winner in two Critics Poll categories: Rising Star–Jazz Artist and Rising Star–Piano. Topping the Jazz Album of the Year category is Wayne Shorter with Emanon (Blue Note), the ambitious project the saxophonist recorded with his namesake quartet and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. DownBeat critics apparently were in accord with The Recording Academy, which in February presented Salvant with a Grammy in the category Best Jazz Vocal Album (for The Window) and gave Shorter a Grammy in the category Best Jazz Instrumental Album (for Emanon). "Cécile McLorin Salvant continues to delight critics and fans alike, " said Bobby Reed, DownBeat editor. "As a recording artist, composer and performer, she is one of the most intriguing musicians on the jazz scene today. These two Critics Poll wins are well deserved." Other winners in the Critics Poll include Kurt Elling (Male Vocalist), Kenny Barron (Piano), Mary Halvorson (Guitar), Jane Ira Bloom (Soprano Saxophone), Miguel Zenón (Alto Saxophone), Miles Okazaki (Rising Star–Guitar), Allison Miller (Rising Star–Drums) and Joel Ross (Rising Star–Vibraphone). Jazz icon Joey DeFrancesco topped the Organ category, and his collaboration with rock legend Van Morrison, You're Driving Me Crazy (Legacy), was voted the Beyond Album of the Year. Anat Cohen topped the Clarinet category, and her namesake tentet was voted the winner of the category Rising Star–Big Band. The Historical Album of the Year is John Coltrane's Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album (Impulse!), which the saxophonist recorded with his quartet on March 6, 1963, in the studio of famed recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Topping the Blues Album of the Year category is The Blues Is Alive And Well (RCA), by Buddy Guy, who was voted the winner in the Blues Artist or Group category. The Critics Poll also resulted in three inductions into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. Joining the elite club are pianist-vocalist-composer Nina Simone (1933–2003), and two artists who were voted in via the DownBeat Veterans Committee. Innovative bassist Scott LaFaro (1936–'61) made a big impact in the jazz world during his far-too-brief career. In contrast, blues-influenced jazz vocalist Joe Williams (1918–'99) enjoyed a lengthy career that included a famous stint with the Count Basie Orchestra. The August issue of DownBeat has features on numerous winning artists, as well the complete results for each category, listing more than 1, 200 artists who received votes in the Critics Poll. (To subscribe to DownBeat, visit the website.) The complete list of winners is below. DB 2019 DownBeat Critics Poll Hall of Fame: Scott LaFaro Hall of Fame: Nina Simone Hall of Fame: Joe Williams Jazz Artist: Cécile McLorin Salvant Jazz Album: Wayne Shorter, Emanon (Blue Note) Historical Album: John Coltrane, Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album (Impulse!) Jazz Group: Fred Hersch Trio Big Band: Maria Schneider Orchestra Trumpet: Ambrose Akinmusire Trombone: Steve Turre Soprano Saxophone: Jane Ira Bloom Alto Saxophone: Miguel Zenón Tenor Saxophone: Joe Lovano Baritone Saxophone: Gary Smulyan Clarinet: Anat Cohen Flute: Nicole Mitchell Piano: Kenny Barron Keyboard: Robert Glasper Organ: Joey DeFrancesco Guitar: Mary Halvorson Bass: Christian McBride Electric Bass: Steve Swallow Violin: Regina Carter Drums: Brian Blade Percussion: Hamid Drake Vibraphone: Stefon Harris Miscellaneous Instrument: Tomeka Reid (cello) Female Vocalist: Cécile McLorin Salvant Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling Composer: Maria Schneider Arranger: Maria Schneider Record Label: ECM Producer: Manfred Eicher Blues Artist or Group: Buddy Guy Blues Album: Buddy Guy, The Blues Is Alive And Well (RCA) Beyond Artist or Group: Rhiannon Giddens Beyond Album: Van Morrison & Joey DeFrancesco, You're Driving Me Crazy (Legacy) Rising Star Categories Rising Star–Jazz Artist: Sullivan Fortner Rising Star–Jazz Group: Sons of Kemet Rising Star–Big Band: Anat Cohen Tentet Rising Star–Trumpet: Adam O'Farrill Rising Star–Trombone: Natalie Cressman Rising Star–Soprano Saxophone: Tineke Postma Rising Star–Alto Saxophone: Darius Jones Rising Star–Tenor Saxophone: Dayna Stephens Rising Star–Baritone Saxophone: Lauren Sevian Rising Star–Clarinet: Shabaka Hutchings Rising Star–Flute: Orlando "Maraca" Valle Rising Star–Piano: Sullivan Fortner Rising Star–Keyboard: Kit Downes Rising Star–Organ: Kit Downes Rising Star–Guitar: Miles Okazaki Rising Star–Bass: Dezron Douglas Rising Star–Electric Bass: Felix Pastorius Rising Star–Violin: Aaron Weinstein Rising Star–Drums: Allison Miller Rising Star–Percussion: Warren Smith Rising Star–Vibraphone: Joel Ross Rising Star–Miscellaneous Instrument: Theon Cross (tuba) Rising Star–Female Vocalist: Sara Serpa Rising Star–Male Vocalist: Jacob Collier Rising Star–Composer: Kamasi Washington Rising Star–Arranger: Kamasi Washington Rising Star–Producer: Ambrose Akinmusire write your comments about the article :: © 2019 Jazz News :: home page |