For this latest edition of JazzTimes‘ annual expanded critics’ poll, more than 30 of our regular contributors were asked to rank their top three choices in the same categories that make up our yearly readers’ poll. This critics’ poll focuses on artists’ achievements during 2012, as opposed to their careers in full.
Winners are bolded below; runners-up are listed by number of calculated points. THE EDITORS
BEST OF ALL
Artist of the Year
Vijay Iyer
Brad Mehldau
Wadada Leo Smith
Robert Glasper
Best New Artist
Ryan Truesdell
Matt Mitchell
Linda Oh
[three artists below tied]
Rafiq Bhatia
Caroline Davis
Scott Tixier
BEST GROUPS
Acoustic/Mainstream Group
Vijay Iyer Trio
Joe Lovano Us Five
Branford Marsalis Quartet
Brad Mehldau Trio
Contemporary/Electric Group
Robert Glasper Experiment
Medeski Martin & Wood
John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension
Pat Metheny Unity Band
Big Band/Large Ensemble
Maria Schneider Orchestra
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Mingus Big Band
Blues Artist/Group
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Gary Clark Jr.
Dr. John
Buddy Guy
BEST OF THE JAZZ
INDUSTRY
Record Label
ECM
Pi Recordings
Sunnyside Records
Blue Note Records
Book
The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire By Ted Gioia (Oxford University Press)
Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland By Paul de Barros (St. Martin’s Press)
Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times By Robin D.G. Kelley (Harvard University Press)
Wail: The Life of Bud Powell By Peter Pullman (Peter Pullman)
Film/Video/TV Series
Treme (HBO)
Chico & Rita (New Video)
Woody Herman: Blue Flame: Portrait of a Jazz Legend (Jazzed Media)
Syndicated Radio Program
Jazz After Hours with Jim Wilke (PRI)
The Checkout with Josh Jackson (WBGO/NPR)
JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater
(WBGO/NPR)
Jazz with Bob Parlocha (WFMT)
Festival
Montreal International Jazz Festival
Newport Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival
Winter Jazzfest
Nightclub
Village Vanguard
Jazz Standard
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola
Bohemian Caverns
BEST MUSICIANS
Trumpet
Ambrose Akinmusire
Dave Douglas
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Tom Harrell
Trombone
Wycliffe Gordon
Steve Turre
Robin Eubanks
Jacob Garchik
Tenor Saxophone
Joe Lovano
Branford Marsalis
Sonny Rollins
Chris Potter
Alto Saxophone
Miguel Zenón
Kenny Garrett
Rudresh Mahanthappa
Tim Berne
Soprano Saxophone
Branford Marsalis
Wayne Shorter
Dave Liebman
Sam Newsome
Baritone Saxophone
Gary Smulyan
James Carter
Ronnie Cuber
Claire Daley
Clarinet
Anat Cohen
Don Byron
Ken Peplowski
Paquito D’Rivera
Flute
Nicole Mitchell
Henry Threadgill
Charles Lloyd
James Newton
Piano
Vijay Iyer
Brad Mehldau
Jason Moran
Keith Jarrett
Electric Keyboards
Chick Corea
Robert Glasper
Jason Lindner
Herbie Hancock
Organ
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Joey DeFrancesco
Gary Versace
Larry Goldings
Guitar
Pat Metheny
Bill Frisell
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Mary Halvorson
Violin
Jenny Scheinman
Regina Carter
Christian Howes
Mark Feldman
Acoustic Bass
Christian McBride
Dave Holland
Ron Carter
Larry Grenadier
Electric Bass
Marcus Miller
Christian McBride
Stanley Clarke
Steve Swallow
Drums
Jack DeJohnette
Billy Hart
Roy Haynes
Jeff “Tain” Watts
Vibes
Gary Burton
Stefon Harris
Bobby Hutcherson
Joe Locke
Percussion
Poncho Sanchez
Zakir Hussain
Pedrito Martinez
Airto Moreira
Male Vocalist
Kurt Elling
Gregory Porter
Theo Bleckmann
Tony Bennett
Female Vocalist
Luciana Souza
Cassandra Wilson
Kate McGarry
Diana Krall
Miscellaneous
Instruments
[four winners]
Béla Fleck (banjo)
Gregoire Maret
(harmonica)
Toots Thielemans
(harmonica)
Richard Galliano
(accordion)
Composer
Vijay Iyer
Henry Threadgill
Darcy James Argue
Wayne Shorter
Arranger
Maria Schneider
Ryan Truesdell
Guillermo Klein
Vince Mendoza
