DownBeat Magazine # December 2012 Volume 79, Number 12

Cover 77th Annual Readers Poll Results! Diana Krall Casting For Chemistry By Michael Gallant One of jazz’s biggest contemporary stars has won the Female Vocalist category in the DownBeat Readers Poll for five consecutive years. Supported by a new team of ace collaborators, Krall has hit her mark and then some with Glad Rag Doll Verve, her 12th album. Features Ron Carter Pure Elegance By Ted Panken The veteran bassist is inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame. Esperanza Spalding Grace in the Spotlight By Fred Bouchard The Grammy-winning bassist and vocalist wins Jazz Artist of the Year and Jazz Album of the the Year. Wynton Marsalis Profoundly Grateful By Allen Morrison The master instrumentalist and Pulitzer-winning composer takes home Trumpeter of the Year and Blues Album of the Year honors. Trombone Shorty Evolving Naturally By Jennifer Odell The New Orleans-based young brass sensation is voted Trombonist of the Year. Stanley Clarke Awake Every Second By Ed Enright The Electric Bassist of the Year made a point of playing with as many different ensembles as possible in 2012. Joey DeFrancesco Winning Streak By Geoffrey Himes DownBeat’s Organist of the Year has played a critical role in the once-marginalized instrument’s current resurgence. Holiday Gift Guide Players Lou Marini Sara Gazarek Herbie Tsoaeli Stian Westerhus Blindfold Test Saxophonist James Carter was tested on the following tracks for the “Blindfold Test”: Zoot Sims: “Too Close For Comfort” from Zoot Sims In Copenhagen Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab/Storyville Horace Silver Quintet: “The Kicker” from Song For My Father Blue Note David Murray & Mal Waldron: “Free For C.T.” from Silence Justin Time Branford Marsalis Quartet: “Brews” from Four MFs Playin’ Tunes Marsalis Music Donald Harrison: “Treme Swagger” from This Is Jazz: Live At The Blue Note Half Note Gerry Mulligan: “Capricious” from Jeru Columbia Legacy Joe Lovano Us Five: “Birdyard” from Bird Songs Blue Note Also In This Issue Top Jazz Albums of the Year; Top Historical Albums of the Year; Pi releases Sam Rivers/Barry Altschul/Dave Holland Reunion CD; Neil Cowley Trio; Jon Irabagon; The Insider; The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith Caught; Trio da Paz Caught; Tony Monaco Master Class; Lou Pallo Pro Session; Ted Nash Solo Transcription; Conservatorio Musical Souza Lima; plus Dozens of CD Reviews, Product Reviews and Much More!