The results of the 76th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll are in. Iconic pianist Ahmad Jamal was named as the readers’ choice for the DownBeat Hall of Fame, bassist Esperanza Spalding became the first woman to be named DownBeat’s Jazz Artist of the Year, and Brad Mehldau’s Live In Marciac (Nonesuch) was named Jazz Album of the Year.“This is one of the most exciting Readers Polls in decades,” said Frank Alkyer, DownBeat’s publisher. “First, Ahmad Jamal is an overdue addition to the Hall of Fame. All of us at the magazine have been rooting for him to receive this acknowledgement and honor for years. Second, Esperanza Spalding is the first woman to be named Artist of the Year in a DownBeat Poll. She represents the next generation of terrific artists out there who—in the finest jazz tradition—are looking for new ways to express themselves. And, finally, there is no recording more befitting the title of Jazz Album of the Year than Brad Mehldau’s Live In Marciac. Mehldau was also named Pianist of the Year. He is setting a new standard.”With 6,902 votes cast in this year’s poll, the winners represent only one slice of the importance of the Readers Poll. Along with the 34 winners, the poll lists more than 90 of the year’s top recordings and over 700 top artists. 2011 DownBeat Readers PollHall Of Fame: Ahmad Jamal JazzArtist Of The Year: Esperanza SpaldingJazz Album Of The Year: Brad Mehldau, Live In Marciac (Nonesuch)Historical Album Of The Year: Miles Davis, Bitches Brew: 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Sony/Legacy)Blues Album Of The Year: Buddy Guy, Living Proof (Silvertone/Jive)Beyond Album Of The Year: Jeff Beck, Emotion & Commotion (ATCO)Big Band: Maria Schneider OrchestraJazz Group: Keith Jarrett–Gary Peacock–Jack DeJohnetteSoprano Saxophone: Wayne ShorterAlto Saxophone: Phil WoodsTenor Saxophone: Joshua RedmanBaritone Saxophone: James CarterTrumpet: Wynton MarsalisTrombone: Steve TurreClarinet: Anat CohenFlute: Hubert LawsDrums: Jack DeJohnetteVibes: Gary BurtonPercussion: Airto MoreiraViolin: Regina CarterAcoustic Bass: Christian McBrideElectric Bass: Marcus MillerGuitar: Pat MethenyPiano: Brad MehldauOrgan: Joey DeFrancescoElectronic Keyboard: Chick CoreaMiscellaneous Instrument: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)Male Vocalist: Kurt EllingFemale Vocalist: Diana KrallComposer: Maria SchneiderArranger: Maria SchneiderRecord Label: Blue NoteBlues Artist or Group: B. B. KingBeyond Artist or Group: Jeff BeckA differenza di Frank Alkyer a me pare invece che i risultati del Readers Pool siano largamente prevedibili, senza scossoni e sempre concentrati sul solo universo americano, per quanto da sempre il più importante.Questo naturalmente riflette i gusti dell'appasionato medio statunitense e, d'altronde, per la maggior parte sono anche pienamente condivisibili. Mi permetto di dissentire sulla scelta del musicista dell'anno: Esperanza secondo me ha conseguito un risultato prestigioso più per meriti mediatici (è donna, di bella presenza, giovane e suona uno strumento "difficile") che non per meriti effettivi.Naturalmente si tratta di ottima musicista, e anche della più giovane tra i premiati dal Readings, ma credo ad esempio, che Dave Douglas con quattro splendidi e diversissimi album in un anno sarebbe stato un vincitore di rango e qualità superiori.