The results of the 76th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll are in. Iconic pianist Ahmad Jamal was named as the readers’ choice for the DownBeat Hall of Fame, bassist Esperanza Spalding became the first woman to be named DownBeat’s Jazz Artist of the Year, and Brad Mehldau’s Live in Marciac (Nonesuch) was named Jazz Album of the Year.
With 6,902 votes cast in this year’s poll, the winners represent only one slice of the importance of the Readers Poll. Along with the 34 winners, the poll lists more than 90 of the year’s top recordings and over 700 top artists.
2011 DownBeat Readers Poll
Hall Of Fame: Ahmad Jamal
Jazz Artist Of The Year: Esperanza Spalding
Jazz Album Of The Year: Brad Mehldau, Live In Marciac (Nonesuch)
Historical Album Of The Year: Miles Davis, Bitches Brew: 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition (Sony/Legacy)
Blues Album Of The Year: Buddy Guy, Living Proof (Silvertone/Jive)
Beyond Album Of The Year: Jeff Beck, Emotion & Commotion (ATCO)
Big Band: Maria Schneider Orchestra
Jazz Group: Keith Jarrett—Gary Peacock—Jack DeJohnette
Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
Alto Saxophone: Phil Woods
Tenor Saxophone: Joshua Redman
Baritone Saxophone: James Carter
Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
Trombone: Steve Turre
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Flute: Hubert Laws
Drums: Jack DeJohnette
Vibes: Gary Burton
Percussion: Airto Moreira
Violin: Regina Carter
Acoustic Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Marcus Miller
Guitar: Pat Metheny
Piano: Brad Mehldau
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco
Electronic Keyboard: Chick Corea
Miscellaneous Instrument: Toots Thielemans (harmonica)
Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling
Female Vocalist: Diana Krall
Composer: Maria Schneider
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: Blue Note
Blues Artist or Group: B. B. King
Beyond Artist or Group: Jeff Beck