DownBeat revealed the results of its 84th Annual Readers Poll. Snarky Puppy topped the Jazz Group category, Cécile McLorin Salvant was voted top female vocalist, and Kurt Elling was voted top male vocalist. Along with the full list of winners, the December issue features tributes to the artists who received posthumous honors this year: Roy Hargrove (1969–2018), who won the Trumpet category, and Dr. John (1941–2019) who received the Beyond Artist or Group award.
84th annual Downbeat Readers Poll Winners
Hall of Fame: Hank Mobley
Jazz Artist: Wayne Shorter
Jazz Group: Snarky Puppy
Big Band: Maria Schneider Orchestra
Jazz Album: Wayne Shorter, Emanon (Blue Note)
Historical Album: John Coltrane, Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album (Impulse!)
Trumpet: Roy Hargrove
Trombone: Trombone Shorty
Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
Alto Saxophone: Kenny Garrett
Tenor Saxophone: Chris Potter
Baritone Saxophone: Gary Smulyan
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Flute: Hubert Laws
Piano: Herbie Hancock
Keyboard: Herbie Hancock
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco
Guitar: Pat Metheny
Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Marcus Miller
Violin: Regina Carter
Drums (TIE): Brian Blade and Jack DeJohnette
Percussion: Poncho Sanchez
Vibraphone: Stefon Harris
Miscellaneous Instrument: Béla Fleck (banjo)
Female Vocalist: Cécile McLorin Salvant
Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling
Composer: Maria Schneider
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: Blue Note
Blues Artist or Group: Buddy Guy
Blues Album: Buddy Guy, The Blues Is Alive And Well (RCA)
Beyond Artist or Group: Dr. John
Beyond Album: George Benson, Walking To New Orleans: Remembering Chuck Berry And Fats Domino (Provogue)
Full story at Downbeat.com