Mondo Jazz

DOWN BEAT READERS POOL

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 Poll

Hall Of Fame: Ahmad Jamal Jazz

Artist Of The Year: Esperanza Spalding

Jazz 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 Orchestra

Jazz Group: Keith Jarrett–Gary Peacock–Jack DeJohnette

Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter

Alto Saxophone: Phil Woods

Tenor Saxophone: Joshua Redman

Baritone Saxophone: James Carter

Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis

Trombone: Steve Turre

Clarinet: Anat Cohen

Flute: Hubert Laws

Drums: Jack DeJohnette

Vibes: Gary Burton

Percussion: Airto Moreira

Violin: Regina Carter

Acoustic Bass: Christian McBride

Electric Bass: Marcus Miller

Guitar: Pat Metheny

Piano: Brad Mehldau

Organ: Joey DeFrancesco

Electronic Keyboard: Chick Corea

Miscellaneous Instrument: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)

Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling

Female Vocalist: Diana Krall

Composer: Maria Schneider

Arranger: Maria Schneider

Record Label: Blue Note

Blues Artist or Group: B. B. King

Beyond Artist or Group: Jeff Beck

A 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.