America’s Jazz Times Honours Its Own

(Report by Russell)

The big names - and the next big name - dominate Jazz Times’ Readers’ Poll of 2015. The magazine’s January/February 2016 issue makes for interesting reading. One name stands out – Joey Alexander. Voted no.1 New Artist, check him out on YouTube. A pre-teen piano sensation, you won’t believe what you see and hear!

2015 Artist of the Year is about to embark on a Britain tour. Gregory Porter took the honours. His Gateshead International Jazz Festival appearance (April 15) sold out more than six months ago! Kamasi Washington’s The Epic won New Release. A veteran of  the music picked up Vocal Release. Octogenarian Tony Bennett beat Cécile McLorin Salvant for his collaboration with Bill Charlap The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Pat Metheny edged out George Benson. Guitarist Benson is soon to tour the UK     (Sage Gateshead is on his itinerary). Marcus Miller, recently at Sage Gateshead, topped a ‘big name’ Electric Bass list with Esperanza Spalding second and Stanley Clarke third.  Terence Blanchard didn’t win top prize but he did place third in both the Trumpet and Composer categories behind Wynton Marsalis and Maria Schneider respectively.

Jazz Festival and Jazz Club awards inevitably stayed out West; Newport and Village Vanguard the names. The Brits? Joe Temperley placed fourth to James Carter in the   Baritone Saxophone list and Dave Holland similarly finished just outside the medals, taking fourth place in the Acoustic Bass poll to Christian McBride.    

Russell