"DownBeat" - August 2011

COVER
Jason Moran - Since Jason Moran's emergence on the music scene in the late '90s, the jazz pianist has proven more than his brilliance as a performer, composer and educator. The Blue Note Records artist has established himself as a risk-taker and innovator of new directions for jazz. Moran has achieved a rare triple play in DownBeat 59th Annual Critics Poll. He was named Jazz Artist of the Year and took home top honors in the Piano category. Additionally, his widely acclaimed album Ten was named Jazz Album of the Year.

FEATURES
Abbey Lincoln - We welcome the late vocalist Abbey Lincoln, one of jazz's most stunning performers and evocative artists, into the DownBeat Hall of Fame.

Paul Chambers - DownBeat's Veterans Committee elects the historic bassist-who played with everyone from Miles Davis to John Coltrane to Thelonious Monk in the 1950s and '60s-to the Hall of Fame.

Ambrose Akinmusire - This winner of the Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition continues to garner critical praise, taking home DownBeat Rising Star awards for Trumpeter of the Year and Jazz Artist of the Year.

Craig Taborn - An in-demand sideman and leader known for his chops and innovation, Taborn tops the Electronic Keyboard, Rising Star Piano, Rising Star Organ categories of this year's poll.
Maria Schneider - A triple-crown winner for Big Band, Composer and Arranger of the Year.
Paul Motian - Drummer of the Year.
Rudresh Mahanthappa - Alto Saxophonist of the Year.

59th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll - Complete results in more than 60 categories!

BLINDFOLD TEST - George Wein

THE BEAT
· Latin jazz musicians protest Grammy category elimination
· AFO Celebrates 50th anniversary in New Orleans
· European Scene
· Caught: Caribbean connections at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; Billy Higgins tribute at Catalina's in Los Angeles

JAZZ ON CAMPUS
· Tuscon Jazz Institute brings low-cost/high quality education to Southwest town.

WOODSHED
· Master Class: Dave Wilenski, "Kiss Your Licks Goodbye"
· Transcription: Robin Eubanks trombone solo "A Seeking Spirit," from the Dave Holland Quintet CD Prime Directive

TOOLSHED
· Nord Stage 2 digital piano
· Band-In-A-Box newest version for Mac
· Greg Black trombone mouthpiece
· Blue Microphones Yeti Pro USB mic
· Gear Box: Remo's Katsugi Okedaiko drum; Audio-Technica's AT2022 X/Y stereo condenser microphone; Zoom's R8 digital multitrack; Lâg Guitars' soft padded gig bags; Electro-Harmonix's Deluxe Memory Man analog delay pedal; Auralex's SonoLite Studiofoam Pro acoustic panels

REVIEWS - Hot Box
· Julian Lage Group, Gladwell (EmArcy)
· Lee Konitz/Brad Mehldau/Charlie Haden/Paul Motian, Live At Birdland (ECM)
· Sean Jones, No Need For Words (Mack Avenue)
· Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo, Songs Of Mirth And Melancholy (Marsalis Music)

CD Reviews
· David Binney, Graylen Epicenter (Mythology)
· Lisa Hilton, Underground (Ruby Slippers)
· Reed Trio, Last Train To The First Station (Kilogram)
· Peter Evans Quintet, Ghosts (More Is More)
· Marcin Wasilewski Trio, Faithful (ECM)
· Arrive, There Was (Clean Feed)
· Roseanna Vitro, The Music of Randy Newman (Motema)
· Rufus Reid & Out Front, Hues Of A Different Blue (Motema)
· Sir Roland Hanna, Colors From A Giant's Kit (IPO)
· Art Hirahara, Noble Path (Posi-Tone)
· Benny Green, Source (JLP)
· Kenny Werner, Balloons (Half Note)
· Ari Hoenig, Lines Of Oppression (Naive Records)
· Dave Douglas, United Front: Brass Ecstasy at Newport (Greenleaf)
· Curtis MacDonald, Community Immunity (Greenleaf)
· We3 (Dave Liebman, Adam Nussbaum, Steve Swallow), Amazing (Kind of Blue)
· Marc Copland, Crosstalk (Pirouet)
· Stan Killian, Unified (Sunnyside)
· Ralph Peterson's Unity Project, Outer Reaches (Onyx)
· Helen Gillet, Running Of The Bells (self release)
· Chris Byars Octet, Lucky Strikes Again (Steeplechase)
· Melvin Vines, Harlem Jazz Machine (self release)
· Bootsy Collins, Tha Funk Capital Of The World (Mascot)
· Gerald Wilson, Legacy (Mack Avenue)

Jazz:
· Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica, Third River Rangoon (Tiki)
· Bobby Sanabria Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Orchestra, Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!! (Jazzheads)
· Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra, Cordoba (Zoho)
· Orchestre Natiano De Jazz, Shut Up and Dance (Bee Jazz)

Blues:
· Marcia Ball, Roadside Attractions (Alligator)
· Tracy Nelson, Victim Of The Blues (Delta Groove)
· Dana Fuchs, Love To Beg (Ruf)
· Grana Luise, Gettin' Kinda Rough (Delmark)
· Gina Sicilia, Can't Control Myself (VizzTone)
· Alexis P. Suter Band, Two Sides (Hipbone)
· Kaye Bohler, Like A Flower (KB)

Beyond:
Tom Zé, Studies Of Tom Zé: Explaining Things So I Can Confuse (Luaka Bop)

Historical:
Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra: Concert Collection (Shout! Factory)

Books:
Ricky Riccardi, What A Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years (Pantheon)