The results of the 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll have been disclosed. With over 1,500 ballots submitted across 36 categories, this year’s poll provided a wonderful opportunity for jazz fans, audiences, and readers to celebrate their favorite artists, groups, performances, and supporters.
“This poll is not a ‘Critic’s Poll’ decided by a panel selecting the ‘Best.’ Instead, it’s a ‘Readers and Fans Poll’ recognizing the people’s choices as their ‘Favorites.’ Nominations come directly from the community, and the winners and runner-ups are determined by popular vote,” said Tony Zambito, the founder and Executive Director of JazzBuffalo
The year 2024 was filled with unforgettable jazz experiences, with fresh talent and musicianship breathing new life into the jazz community. It was a year where beloved events continued to thrive, some were sadly lost, yet new and refreshing performances emerged, making it an exciting and dynamic year for jazz.
Each year, the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to jazz in Greater Buffalo through exceptional performances, artistic achievements, and community involvement. This year’s recipient, chosen by popular vote, is none other than the beloved and deserving Abdul-Rahman Qadir. For decades, Abdul has generously shared his time, mentorship, and talent, making a profound impact on Buffalo’s jazz community.
Becky Davis has been recognized as the Jazz Crusader of the Year! Becky’s revival of the Gypsy Parlor Jazz Jam, infused with fresh approaches, has made it more welcoming and accessible, creating invaluable opportunities for musicians to jam and connect.
In the Jazz Big Band of the Year category, the Anderson Big Band took top honors, celebrated for their exhilarating Friday Night Dance performance at the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, which won for Most Memorable Performance.
The year also marked the remarkable return of DeeAnn DiMeo, whose artistry was recognized in multiple categories. She was awarded Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year, received the most votes for her Jazz CD It’s My Time and earned runner-up recognition for both Most Memorable Performance and the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award.
My Cousin Toné continued to delight audiences, earning the top spots for Jazz Group of the Year and Jazz Large Ensemble of the Year. Their captivating performances of the Great American Songbook, especially during their Monday summer series at Tappo and a sold-out show at Jazz at Richardson, made them audience favorites.
This year’s poll also saw the arrival of new winners such as Jamie Sunshine, Dean Gionis, Ian Liedke, Back Room Jazz Band, and more. This is a testament to how our jazz community continues to grow.
To view the complete results of the 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll, click here.
The 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Readers Poll Winners:
Jazz Alto Saxophone – Elliot Scozzaro
Runner up: Kevin Hall
Jazz Baritone Saxophone – Laura Anderson
Runner-up: Steve Baczkowski
Jazz Trumpet – Tim Clarke
Runner up: Joe Parisi
Jazz Trombone – John Hasselback, Jr.
Runner up: Pete Dauphin
Jazz Guitar – Dean Gionis
Runner up: Stu Weissman
Jazz Piano – Ian Liekde
Runner up: Jim Beishline
Jazz Organ – Doug “Trigger” Gaston
Runner up: Joe Baudo
Jazz Accompaniment – E.J. Koeppel – Violin
Runner up: Elliot Scozzaro – Flute
Jazz Upright Bass – Ed Croft
Runner up: Kevin O’Brien
Jazz Electric Bass – Ed Croft
Runner up: Jack Kulp
Jazz Vibes – Jamie Sunshine
Runner up: Alec Dube
Jazz Drums – Abdul-Rahman Qadir
Runner up: John Anderson
Jazz Percussion – Jamie Sunshine
Runner up: Wendell Rivera
Jazz Female Vocalist – DeeAnn DiMeo
Runner up: Janice Mitchell
Jazz Male Vocalist – Zach Carr
Runner up: Jack Civiletto
Jazz Classic Standard Group – My Cousin Toné
Runner up: Janice Mitchell Quartet
Jazz World – Hot Club of Buffalo
Runner up: Buffalo Tango Orchestra
Jazz Trad/NOLA/Swing – Back Room Jazz Band
Runner up: Skiffle Minstrels/Skiffle Minstrels Trio
Jazz Fusion – Ellen Pieroni’s Encyclopedia of Soul
Runner up: Kulpability
Latin Jazz – Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble
Runner up: Sol Y Sambra
Jazz Big Band – The Anderson Big Band
Runner up: Ladies First Jazz Big Band
Jazz Large Ensemble – My Cousin Toné
Runner up: Ladies First Jazz Combo
Jazz Soul/Funk/Contemporary – The Kevin Hall Band
Runner up: Dave Hill Group
Jazz Pop and Retro – Dozo My Lady featuring Carolyn Lansom
Runner up: JT3: John Troy Trio
Jazz Venue – Pausa Art House
Runner up: Sportsmen Tavern
Jazz Major Performing Arts Center – Kleinhans Music Hall – Mary Seaton Room
Runner up: Buffalo AKG Art Museum Auditorium
Most Memorable Jazz Performance – SwingBuffalo’s Anderson Big Band Friday Night Dance – Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY
Runner up: Getting Sassy-Sarah Vaughan 100th Birthday Celebration featuring DeeAnn DiMeo
Most Memorable International Jazz Performance – Jazz at the Ballroom – Champian Fulton: Flying High with Vanessa Perea and Olivia Chindamo – Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY
Runner up: Samara Joy: A Joy Christmas with the McClendons – UB Center for the Arts
Jazz CD/EP Release – DeeAnn DiMeo – “It’s My Time”
Runner up: Ellen Pieroni’s Encyclopedia of Soul – “Lonely No More”
Middle School/High School Educator – Laura Anderson
Runner up: John Hasselback, Jr.
College/University Educator – John Bacon, Jr.
Runner up: Ivan Docenko
Jazz Rising Star – Vanessa Vacanti
Runner up: Carolyn Lansom
Jazz Ex-Pat – Stephen Parisi
Runner up: Pete Malinverni
Jazz Crusader – Becky Davis – Gypsy Parlar Monday Jam
Runner up: Jack Zuff – Lazára Martinez – Pausa Art House
John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year – Abdul-Rahman Qadir
Runner up: DeeAnn DiMeo
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