News

The results of the 74th Annual DownBeat Critics Poll are in, and Vail Jazz Workshop alumni are represented throughout the list. This year, 31 alumni earned a combined 60 listings across Artist of the Year, instrumental, composer, arranger, producer, vocalist, ensemble, and Rising Star categories.

Among those receiving multiple listings were Sullivan Fortner (2002 Piano), Ambrose Akinmusire (2000 Trumpet), Tia Fuller (1996 Sax), Lakecia Benjamin (1996 Sax), Grace Kelly (2008 Sax), Gerald Clayton (2002 Piano), Robert Glasper (1997 Piano), James Francies (2012 Piano), Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) (2001 Trumpet), Benny Benack III (2008 Trumpet), Isaiah J. Thompson (2014 Piano), Hailey Niswanger (2007 Sax), Morgan Guerin (2014 Sax), Braxton Cook (2009 Sax), and Micah Thomas (2013 Piano).

Additional alumni recognized in the poll include Elena Pinderhughes (2011 Sax), Zaccai Curtis (1999 Piano), Matt Brewer (2000 Bass), Luques Curtis (2000 Bass), Summer Camargo (2018 Trumpet), Patrick Bartley (2010 Sax), Russell Hall (2010 Bass), Phillip Norris (2016 Bass), Ben Feldman (2017 Bass), Marcus Gilmore (2002 Drums), Obed Calvaire (1998 Drums), Terrace Martin (1997 Sax), Owen Broder (2007 Sax), Greg Ward (1999 Sax), Chloe Rowlands (formerly Cody Rowlands) (2009 Trumpet), and Phillip Golub (2011 Piano).

From longtime leaders in the jazz world to rising artists shaping its future, this year’s poll reflects the extraordinary reach of the Vail Jazz Workshop alumni community.

Performances

Ben Sherman (saxophone 2024) performs at The Jazz Gallery in New York, NY, on July 22.

Evan Dexter (trombone 2023) plays at Scribble in Los Angeles, CA, on July 22.

Benny Benack III (trumpet 2008) begins a busy run at One Flight Up in New York, NY, on July 22. On July 23, he performs at Saint Peter’s Church before playing at Jazz Cultural later that day. He then travels to Aspen, CO, for Jazz Aspen Snowmass on July 25, returning to New York, NY, for The Pocket Jazz Club on August 2.

Joey Ranieri (bass 2019) will play at the Jazz Gallery in NYC on July 23.

Morgan Guerin (saxophone 2014) plays at Domino Square in New York, NY, on July 23, followed by The Jazz Gallery on July 25. He then heads to Newport, RI, for the Newport Jazz Festival on August 1.

Jimmy MacBride (drums 2008) performs at Smalls Jazz Club in New York, NY, on July 24.

Zaccai Curtis (piano 1999) is featured at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in Washington, CT, July 24–26.

Anthony Hervey (trumpet 2014) takes the stage at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, NY, on July 25.

Keyon Harrold (trumpet 1997) performs at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago, IL, on July 25, followed by The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, IN, on July 26. He then plays at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, NY, July 27–28.

Saxophonist Braxton Cook (2009) performs at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, NH, on July 30, before heading to the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI, on July 31.

Brandon Goldberg (piano 2023) settles in for two nights at Mezzrow in New York, NY, July 31 and August 1.

Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (saxophone 2007) joins the Global Jazz Workshop All-Star Gala in Austin, TX, on July 31.

Chief Adjuah (trumpet 2001) performs at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI, July 31–August 2.

Corey Fonville (drums 2009) also plays at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI, July 31–August 2.

Gabe Rupe (bass, 2016) performs at Dazzle Denver in Denver, CO, on July 31.

Sullivan Fortner (piano 2002) plays at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA, on August 1, then travels to Newport, RI, for the Newport Jazz Festival on August 2.

Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet 2000) performs at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York, NY, on August 3.

Grace Kelly (saxophone 2008) plays at The Kate in Old Saybrook, CT, on August 4.

Workshop alum, do you know about the communication channel we created exclusively for alumni? It’s free on Slack and is a great way to keep in touch with your alumni colleagues and stay current on what’s happening with them. To join, contact Alan Tanenbaum at info@vailjazz.org, and he’ll send you the link!