JazzTimes Readers' Poll

JazzTimes Readers' Poll
Name	JazzTimes Readers' Poll
Description	Annual music award
Presenter	JazzTimes
Country	United States

JazzTimes Readers' Poll is an annual music award presented by JazzTimes, a leading jazz magazine in the United States, to recognize outstanding musicians and albums in the jazz genre, as voted by its readers, including fans of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday. The poll is a significant event in the jazz community, with winners often going on to perform at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Montreux Jazz Festival. The award has been presented to notable musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Diana Krall, who have all been recognized for their contributions to the genre, alongside other greats like Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker. The poll also acknowledges the work of emerging artists, such as Kamasi Washington and Cécile McLorin Salvant, who are helping to shape the future of jazz.

Introduction

The JazzTimes Readers' Poll is a celebration of the rich and diverse world of jazz, with a readership that includes fans of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. The award is presented by JazzTimes, a magazine that has been a leading voice in the jazz community for over 40 years, with a history that spans the careers of Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, and Ella Fitzgerald. The poll is open to all readers of the magazine, who can vote for their favorite musicians and albums in a variety of categories, including jazz vocals, jazz instrumentals, and jazz albums, with past winners including Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, and Christian McBride. The winners of the poll are announced in the magazine and on the JazzTimes website, with many going on to perform at festivals like New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival.

History

The JazzTimes Readers' Poll has a long history, dating back to the early days of JazzTimes, when the magazine was founded by Ira Sabin and Bob Edelman. Over the years, the poll has recognized the talents of many legendary jazz musicians, including Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, and Sarah Vaughan, as well as more contemporary artists like Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, and Ambrose Akinmusire. The poll has also acknowledged the contributions of notable jazz composers, such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter, and jazz educators, like Gunnar Johansen and David Baker. The award has been presented at various venues, including Lincoln Center and Hollywood Bowl, with many winners going on to collaborate with other notable musicians, such as Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Herbie Mann.

Voting Process

The voting process for the JazzTimes Readers' Poll is straightforward, with readers able to cast their votes online or by mail, with many voters also attending festivals like Monterey Jazz Festival and Toronto Jazz Festival. The poll is typically open for several months, during which time readers can vote for their favorite musicians and albums in a variety of categories, including jazz vocals, jazz instrumentals, and jazz albums, with past nominees including Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling, and Joshua Redman. The winners are determined by the number of votes received, with the musician or album receiving the most votes in each category declared the winner, and many going on to perform with renowned orchestras like the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. The voting process is overseen by the editors of JazzTimes, who ensure that the poll is fair and transparent, with many winners also receiving recognition from other organizations, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and Grammy Awards.

Categories and Winners

The JazzTimes Readers' Poll recognizes excellence in a variety of categories, including jazz vocals, jazz instrumentals, and jazz albums, with past winners including Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., and Norah Jones. The poll also acknowledges the work of emerging artists, such as Cécile McLorin Salvant and Kamasi Washington, who are helping to shape the future of jazz, alongside other notable musicians like Christian Scott and Robert Hurst. The winners of the poll are announced in the magazine and on the JazzTimes website, with many going on to perform at festivals like Montreal Jazz Festival and Melbourne Jazz Festival. The categories and winners of the poll are often featured in other publications, such as DownBeat and Jazzwise, with many winners also collaborating with other notable musicians, like Wynton Marsalis and Joshua Bell.

Impact and Influence

The JazzTimes Readers' Poll has a significant impact on the jazz community, with many winners going on to achieve great success and recognition, including Grammy Awards and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, with past winners including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Diana Krall. The poll also helps to promote the work of emerging artists, such as Kamasi Washington and Cécile McLorin Salvant, who are helping to shape the future of jazz, alongside other notable musicians like Ambrose Akinmusire and Lionel Loueke. The award is recognized by the music industry as a whole, with many winners going on to perform at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Hollywood Bowl, and collaborate with other notable musicians, such as Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones. The poll also has an impact on the wider music community, with many winners going on to influence other genres, such as rock and hip-hop, with notable examples including Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Notable Results

The JazzTimes Readers' Poll has produced many notable results over the years, with some winners going on to achieve great success and recognition, including Grammy Awards and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, with past winners including Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, and Christian McBride. Other winners have used the award as a springboard to launch their careers, such as Kamasi Washington and Cécile McLorin Salvant, who have both gone on to achieve great success and recognition, alongside other notable musicians like Esperanza Spalding and Robert Glasper. The poll has also recognized the contributions of notable jazz composers, such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter, and jazz educators, like Gunnar Johansen and David Baker, with many winners also receiving recognition from other organizations, such as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and Jazz Foundation of America. The results of the poll are often featured in other publications, such as DownBeat and Jazzwise, with many winners also collaborating with other notable musicians, like Wynton Marsalis and Joshua Bell.

Category:Music awards