The results of the 79th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll have been announced, and topping the list for Jazz Album of the Year is Pat Metheny Unity Group's debut album, Kin (←→), released earlier this year on Nonesuch Records. The Pat Metheny Unity Group—featuring Chris Potter on sax and bass clarinet, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Ben Williams on bass, and multi-instrumentalist Giulio Carmassi—was also voted top Jazz Group, and Metheny, who was elected into the DownBeat Hall of Fame by readers last year, is top of the Guitar category this year. Adding still a fourth accolade this year, Potter is the winner of the Tenor Saxophone category.

“This year’s poll is especially satisfying,” said Frank Alkyer, DownBeat’s publisher, who lauds the winners for continuing "to make ambitious, beautiful artistic statements."

The December issue of DownBeat, available on newsstands November 18, includes an in-depth feature on Metheny.

For additional details and a list of all of this year's Readers Poll winners, visit downbeat.com.

To pick up a copy of Kin (←→), head to iTunes or the Nonesuch Store, where CD and vinyl orders include a free MP3 download of the complete album at checkout. The album is also available to purchase there as MP3, FLAC, and HD 96/24 HD FLAC files.

The Pat Metheny Unity Group kicks off the next North American leg of its world tour at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre in Ontario November 11. For all the currently scheduled tour dates and tickets, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.