DownBeat August 2001 [antikvár]

On Supernova, virtuoso pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba presents a brilliant mix oi seductive balladry and propulsive rhythmic workouts. This new work is a masterpiece of musical interpretation—the strongest example yet of Rubalcaba's singular ability to blend the musical undercurrents binding Afro-Cuban, American and Carribean music into one unforgettable vision. Not long before this issue went to press, we had no idea who would be featured in these pages. The issue sat as a blank slate while we finished compiling the results of our 49fh Annual Intemational Critics Poll. The slate gradually filled with the results off ballots returned from 120 critics living in all comers of the United States and almost 20 other countries, making this a tmly international affair. As the ballots came in via mail, fax and e-mail, the winners emerged. At last, we had an issue. Of course, many of the winners didn't come as much of a surprise. Repeat winners from last year include Phil Woods (alto sax). Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), Steve Turre (trombone) Dave Douglas (trumpet, Page 46), Don Byron (clarinet), James Newton (flute), Dave Holland (bass), Joe Zawinul (electric key- feature him on Page 32. Even when the anticipated winner takes the crown, getting the story can prove tricky. Organist Jimmy Smith has claimed the top organ slot for the 38th straight year—Sun Ra tied him in 1982, but Smitii has reigned supreme in this category since its inception in 1964. And with a new album out this past year. Dot Com Blues, a And THe ujinnens flne boards), Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), Regina Carter (violin), Kurt Elling and Cassandra Wilson (vocalists), Trilok Gurtu (percussion), Toots Thielemans (misc. instmment, harmonica) and B.B. King (all three blues categories). However, Joe Lovano, our Jazz Artist of the Year, had not won this category since 1996. All right, that's not much of a drought, but in a year when he won his first Grammy for the outstanding nonet album 52nd Street Themes, Lovano seemed prime for the cover. Aaron Cohen spent a day in Chicago with the tenor saxophonist (Page 28). And sometimes, once an artist gets comfortable on top of the poll, you never know when a "surprise" wiimer will nab a category. Take Wayne Shorter's win as top soprano saxophonist. Sure, Shorter had won the category for 10 straight years, from 1970-'79, but since that time, Steve Lacy has been voted best on the sfraight horn—tiiat's 21 sfraight years! So to welcome Shorter back to the top, we story on the organ king seemed appropriate. Michael Jackson did not have the easiest time nailing down Smith, but after a missed in-person interview in Chicago and several failed attempts to get him on the phone, Jackson finally caught up with the unpredictable organist and got the story and then some (Page 34). Heavy gigging with some of the top touring bands has proven a real boost in the polls for some of our Talents Deserving Wider Recognition (TDWR) winners. The Dave Holland Quintet—our Acoustic Jazz Group of the Year—is represented by winners Chris Potter (TDWR tenor saxophone and TDWR jazz artist. Page 38) and Billy Kilson (TDWR drums), while Steve Davis (TDWR frombone) and Avishai Cohen (TDWR bass. Page 49) have spent much of the past year with Chick Corea's Origin. So congratulations to all of the poll winners, and thank you to all the critics who participated. If not for you, we could've had a blank issue. db byjason koransky 10 August 2001 DOWN BEAT