(Report by Russell).
Down Beat’s 80th Annual Readers’ Poll produced few
surprises. The consolidation and confirmation of status is evident across the
many categories. Inducted into Down Beat’s Hall of Fame is Tony Bennett. The Jazz Group award went to Snarky Puppy. Wynton Marsalis won the Trumpet section by a
street with Terence Blanchard placing in the top ten. The Messengers’ alumnus –
Blanchard, not Marsalis – will be at Sage Gateshead in 2016 during the
Gateshead International Jazz Festival. Marcus Miller, heard recently at Sage
Gateshead, came within a whisker of claiming the Electric Bass crown. A mere 13
votes separated him and the top man Stanley
Clarke. They polled well over 3000 votes between them. Did the presiding
officer call for a recount?
Jack DeJohnette held off Brian Blade to take the Drum
award and Billy Hart – heard at the 2015 Gateshead International Jazz Festival
with the Cookers – placed tenth. The top three in the Male Vocalist list were
the same trio as last year, although they shuffled the order. Last year’s
winner Gregory Porter dropped down to third, Kurt Elling maintained his runner
up position, and last year’s third placed vocalist, Tony Bennett, won the title. A word for Jamie Cullum, he placed
tenth.
Finally, BB
King won Blues Artist or Group polling almost four times as many votes as
Buddy Guy in second place. Robert Cray, recently at Sage Gateshead, grabbed
tenth spot and Eric Bibb, appearing at Sage Gateshead in 2016, made the top
twenty.
Russell.
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