The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra won the Big Band category, and its artistic director, Wynton Marsalis, topped the Trumpet category.
Anat Cohen won the Clarinet category, and Poncho Sanchez was named Percussionist of the Year. Diana Krall was voted the top Female Vocalist, and Kurt Elling was honored as top Male Vocalist.
The top Historical Album was the Miles Davis Quintet’s Live In Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 2 (Columbia/Legacy). The readers’ choice for top Blues Album was Dr. John’s Locked Down (Nonesuch), while the Beyond Album of the Year honors went to Donald Fagen’s Sunken Condos (Reprise).
78th ANNUAL DOWNBEAT READERS POLL – winners list
Hall of Fame: Pat Metheny
Jazz Artist: Wayne Shorter
Jazz Album: Wayne Shorter Quartet, Without A Net (Blue Note)
Historical Album: Miles Davis Quintet, Live In Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 2 (Columbia/Legacy)
Jazz Group: Wayne Shorter Quartet
Big Band: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
Trombone: Trombone Shorty
Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
Alto Saxophone: Kenny Garrett
Tenor Saxophone: Sonny Rollins
Baritone Saxophone: Gary Smulyan
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Flute: Hubert Laws
Piano: Keith Jarrett
Keyboard: Herbie Hancock
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco
Guitar: Pat Metheny
Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Stanley Clarke
Violin: Regina Carter
Drums: Jack DeJohnette
Vibes: Gary Burton
Percussion: Poncho Sanchez
Miscellaneous Instrument: Béla Fleck (banjo)
Female Vocalist: Diana Krall
Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling
Composer: Wayne Shorter
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: Blue Note
Blues Artist or Group: B.B. King
Blues Album: Dr. John, Locked Down (Nonesuch)
Beyond Artist or Group: Robert Glasper Experiment
Beyond Album: Donald Fagen, Sunken Condos