66th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll.

The digital version of the August edition of DownBeat arrived on my virtual doormat yesterday (June 26) - if only the horse racing papers could publish this far in advance or the bookies take bets on the 66th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll.

The forthcoming publication lists the results in detail with a few of the favourites coming in and some (in my eyes) rank outsiders.

Benny Golson made it to The Hall of Fame with John McLaughlin finishing fast in fourth place ahead of such thoroughbreds as Jon Hendricks, Shirley Horn and Pharoah Sanders with Mel Tormé bringing up the rear. Marian McPartland got in via the back door or, to be more precise, The Veterans Committee.

Cécile McLorin Salvant picked up the Jazz Album of the Year for Dreams and Daggers as well as being numero uno in the Female Vocalist Stakes where, incidentally, Sheila Jordan finished strongly in third place, the two being separated by Lizz Wright.  As expected, the Male Vocalist was fought out between Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter with the former finishing 57 votes ahead. Jamie Cullum, the only British artist among the crooners managed 29 votes. Tony Bennett scored 65 with Curtis Stigers unplaced.

John Surman placed midfield among the baritones but Sonny Rollins didn't show among the tenors.

Mary Halvorson scored for a guitar gong with McLaughlin running on in sixth alongside John Scofield.

In the Rising Star section, Greg Abate was placed third among the altos trailing Caroline Davis and Darius Jones and Ingrid Laubrock picked up the tenor tiara.

Karen Sharp was mentioned in dispatches amongst the ascending baritone saxists, Shabaka Hutchings just missed out to Matana Roberts in the clarinets and Gareth Lockrane made the top 16 on flute.

Kit Downes came fourth on keys, third on organ but missed out altogether on piano.

Our favourite guitarist from Chicago, Andy Brown showed up with 25 votes - wait till next year!

Among the vibists, Jim Hart came in fourth three places ahead of Corey Mwamba and Ian Shaw will be delighted to know that he's now a Rising Star Jazz Vocalist after his third place this year.

These, of course, are just some of the results and, needless to say, there are anomalies such as in the clarinet result. Does Anat Cohen really deserve to get almost as many votes as those of Ken Peplowski, Eddie Daniels, Don Byron, Ben Goldberg and Paquito D'Rivera put together?

Nevertheless, although not to be taken too seriously, the polls are always a good talking point whether it be for Prime Minister, President, Sports Person of the Year or Record Label of the Year (ECM).

Complete results can be read when August issue appears at a newsagent near you.

Lance.

PS: Almost forgot to mention that Django Bates gets a shout in the Keyboard section.