The 72nd DownBeat Critics Poll results are in, and among the winners are Darcy James Argue, Arranger; Mary Halvorson, Guitar; Cécile McLorin Salvant, Female Vocalist; and Ambrose Akinmusire, Trumpet—all of whose albums are among the Jazz Albums of the Year—and Rhiannon Giddens, Beyond Artist and Beyond Album of the Year.
The 72nd DownBeat Critics Poll results are in, and among the winners are five Nonesuch artists, both in their fields and for their latest albums: Darcy James Argue, Mary Halvorson, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Rhiannon Giddens.
Darcy James Argue has been named Arranger of the Year, and the Nonesuch debut from his Secret Society ensemble, Dynamic Maximum Tension, made the Jazz Albums of the Year list. "The composer and bandleader serves as one of the driving forces behind new generations of ambitious large ensemble instrumental music," says the magazine. "Dynamic Maximum Tension serves as proof." Secret Society member Ryan Keberle tied for first as Trombonist of the Year, and Jennifer Wharton topped the Rising Star: Trombone category.
Mary Halvorson has been named Guitarist of the Year, as she was last year, and her latest album, Cloudward, made the Jazz Albums of the Year list. DownBeat says: "Halvorson’s award-winning sextet, Amaryllis, returns with quirky cool grace following the group’s 2022 Critics Poll-winning albums Amaryllis and Belladonna." Additionally, sextet member Patricia Brennan topped the Rising Star: Vibraphone field.
Cécile McLorin Salvant has been named Female Vocalist of the Year, another repeat win from last year, and her latest album, Mélusine, made the Jazz Albums of the Year list. "The massively creative vocalist delivers a tour de force in several languages recounting the legend of Mélusine," the magazine says.
Ambrose Akinmusire has been named Trumpeter of the Year, and his Nonesuch debut album, Owl Song, featuring Bill Frisell and Herlin Riley, made the Jazz Albums of the Year list. "A quiet rush of gorgeous sound where space, tone and beauty come together in one of the most impactful albums of 2023," says DownBeat. "This is one of the most interesting recordings to come along in a very long time by one of the most interesting artists of our time."
Rhiannon Giddens has won in the Beyond Artist or Group field, as she did last year, and has also picked up Beyond Album of the Year for her latest, You're the One, her third solo studio album and her first of all original songs.
You can listen to all of the above albums in a new playlist on Spotify and Apple Music here. And you can find the complete results of the 72nd DownBeat Critics Poll in the August issue of the magazine via downbeat.com.
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