The 18th Annual
Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll:
2023

Ballots 2023 [5]

Yoshi Kato (DownBeat, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Classical Voice)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Miho Hazama, M_unit: Beyond Orbits (Edition) →
  2. Kris Davis, Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard (Pyroclastic) →
  3. Joshua Redman, Where Are We (Blue Note) →
  4. Benjamin Boone, Caught in the Rhythm (Origin) →
  5. Michelle Lordi, Two Moons (Imani) →
  6. Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Uptown on Mardi Gras Day (Troubadour Jass) →
  7. Will Bernard & Beth Custer, Sky (Dreck to Disk) →
  8. Benjamin Koppel-Scott Colley-Brian Blade, Perspective (Cowbell Music) →
  9. Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm, Grit & Grace (Sunnyside) →
  10. Jeremy Dutton, Anyone Is Better Than Here (self-released) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio, Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings (Resonance) →
  2. Geri Allen & Kurt Rosenwinkel, A Lovesome Thing (2012, Motéma Music) →
  3. Dave Brubeck, Live From the Northwest, 1959 (Brubeck Editions) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Glenn Kenny (freelance: New York Times, RogerEbert.com; Some Came Running)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Tyshawn Sorey Trio, Continuing (Pi) →
  2. Henry Threadgill Ensemble, The Other One (Pi) →
  3. John Zorn, New Masada Quartet Vol. 2 (Tzadik) →
  4. John Butcher, The Art of Noticing (Matchless) →
  5. Peter Brötzmann-Majid Bekkas-Hamid Drake, Catching Ghosts (ACT) →
  6. Bill Lowe and the Signifyin' Natives Ensemble, Sweet Cane: Suites and Other Pedagogical Prompts (Mandorla Music) →
  7. Myra Melford's Fire and Water Quintet, Hear the Light Singing (RogueArt) →
  8. Paul Dunmall-Paul Rodgers-Tony Orrell, That's My Life (577) →
  9. Zoh Amba-Chris Corsano-Bill Orcutt, The Flower School (Palilalia) →
  10. Kate Gentile, Find Letter X (Pi) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →
  2. François Carrier Ensemble, Openness (2006, Fundacja Sluchaj) →
  3. Alan Skidmore, A Supreme Love (1961-2019, Confront) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Also see 75 Or So Recordings I Enjoyed in 2023.

James Koblin (The Necessary Blues)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Kate Gentile, Find Letter X (Pi) →
  2. Michael Formanek Elusion Quartet, As Things Do (Intakt) →
  3. Arooj Aftab-Vijay Iyer-Shahzad Ismaily, Love in Exile (Verve) →
  4. Mendoza Hoff Revels, Echolocation (AUM Fidelity) →
  5. David Virelles, Carta (Intakt) →
  6. Jaimie Branch, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) (International Anthem) →
  7. John Dikeman-Pat Thomas-John Edwards-Steve Noble, Volume 2 (577) →
  8. Anna Webber, Shimmer Wince (Intakt) →
  9. Ben Wendel, All One (Edition) →
  10. Nate Wooley, Four Experiments (Pleasure of the Text) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Abdul Wadud, By Myself: Solo Cello (1977, Gotta Groove) →
  2. Pharoah Sanders, Pharoah [Harvest Time] (1976, Luaka Bop) →
  3. As-Shams Archive Vol. 1: South African Jazz, Funk & Soul 1975-1982 (As-Shams-The Sun) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Also see TNB 2023 Year-End Best of List!

Elzy Kolb (freelance)

NEW RELEASES (listed alphabetically; 5.5 points each)

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL) (listed alphabetically; 2 points each)

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Stuart Kremsky (Mr. Stu's Record Room)

NEW RELEASES

  1. James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet, For Mahalia, With Love (Tao Forms) →
  2. Rudy Royston Flatbed Buggy, Day (Greenleaf Music) →
  3. Denny Zeitlin, Crazy Rhythm: Exploring George Gershwin (Sunnyside) →
  4. Tomas Fujiwara, Pith (Out of Your Head) →
  5. Billy Childs, The Winds of Change (Mack Avenue) →
  6. Matthew Shipp, The Intrinsic Nature of Shipp (Mahakala Music) →
  7. Arthur Kell Speculation Quartet, Live at Lunàtico (Origin) →
  8. Rich Halley Quartet, Fire Within (Pine Eagle) →
  9. Satoko Fujii, Torrent: Piano Solo (Libra) →
  10. Ivo Perelman & Elliott Sharp, Artificial Intelligence (Mahakala Music) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio, Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings (Resonance) →
  2. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →
  3. Art Pepper, The Complete Maiden Voyage Recordings (1981, Omnivore) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

David Kunian (New Orleans Jazz Museum, WWOZ-FM [New Orleans], Offbeat, DownBeat)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Irreversible Entanglements, Protect Your Light (Impulse!) →
  2. Rob Mazurek Exploding Star Orchestra, Lightning Dreamers (International Anthem) →
  3. Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation) →
  4. Kyle Roussel, Nola à la Mode (self-released) →
  5. Brad Walker + Extended, Side by Side (self-released) →
  6. Chief Adjuah, Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning (Ropeadope) →
  7. Kris Davis, Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard (Pyroclastic) →
  8. Meshell Ndegeocello, The Omnichord Real Book (Blue Note) →
  9. Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Sixth Decade From Paris to Paris: Live at Sons D'Hiver (RogueArt) →
  10. The Rempis Percussion Quartet, Harvesters (Aerophonic) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Donald Harrison, Indian Blues (1991, Tipitina's Record Club) →
  2. Ahmad Jamal, Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse 1966-1968 (Jazz Detective/Elemental) →
  3. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Art Lange (freelance)

NEW RELEASES (listed alphabetically; 5.5 points each)

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Hasaan Ibn Ali, Reaching for the Stars: Trios/Duos/Solos (1962-65, Omnivore) →
  2. Don Byas, Classic Don Byas Sessions 1944-1946 (Mosaic) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Josh Langhoff (Wrigley Field organist)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation) →
  2. Kate Gentile, Find Letter X (Pi) →
  3. Jaimie Branch, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) (International Anthem) →
  4. Louis Siciliano, Ancient Cosmic Truth (Musica Presente) →
  5. James Brandon Lewis Trio, Eye of I (Anti-) →
  6. Arturo O'Farrill, Legacies (Blue Note) →
  7. Nicole Zuraitis, How Love Begins (Outside In Music) →
  8. Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Spirit Gatherer: Tribute to Don Cherry (Spiritmuse) →
  9. Steve Lehman & Orchestre National de Jazz, Ex Machina (Pi) →
  10. Irreversible Entanglements, Protect Your Light (Impulse!) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Will Layman (PopMatters)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Kate Gentile, Find Letter X (Pi) →
  2. James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet, For Mahalia, With Love (Tao Forms) →
  3. Darius Jones, Fluxkit Vancouver (Its Suite but Sacred) (We Jazz) →
  4. Steve Lehman & Orchestre National de Jazz, Ex Machina (Pi) →
  5. Kris Davis, Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard (Pyroclastic) →
  6. Matthew Shipp, The Intrinsic Nature of Shipp (Mahakala Music) →
  7. Anna Webber, Shimmer Wince (Intakt) →
  8. Myra Melford's Fire and Water Quintet, Hear the Light Singing (RogueArt) →
  9. Michael Blake, Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) →
  10. Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Dynamic Maximum Tension (Nonesuch) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →
  2. Geri Allen & Kurt Rosenwinkel, A Lovesome Thing (2012, Motéma Music) →
  3. Charles Mingus, At Antibes 1960 Revisited (Ezz-Thetics) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Devin Leonard (Bloomberg Businessweek)

NEW RELEASES (listed alphabetically; 5.5 points each)

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Geri Allen & Kurt Rosenwinkel, A Lovesome Thing (2012, Motéma Music) →
  2. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Debut vote for Kate Gentile, Find Letter X disqualified: previous albums.

Lance Liddle (Bebop Spoken Here)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Simon Spillett Big Band, Dear Tubby H (Mister PC) →
  2. Joshua Redman, Where Are We (Blue Note) →
  3. Jesse Davis, Live at Smalls Jazz Club (Cellar) →
  4. Mike LeDonne-Eric Alexander-Jeremy Pelt-Vincent Herring-Kenny Washington-Peter Washington, The Heavy Hitters (Cellar) →
  5. Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, The Gennett Suite (Patois) →
  6. Ray Gallon Trio, Grand Company (Cellar) →
  7. Terry Gibbs Legacy Band, The Terry Gibbs Songbook (Whaling City Sound) →
  8. Scott Hamilton Quartet, At Pizza Express Live (PX) →
  9. Snorre Kirk, Top Dog (Stunt) →
  10. Five-Way Split, All the Way (Ubuntu Music) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Sonny Stitt, Boppin' in Baltimore: Live at the Left Bank (1973, Jazz Detective/Elemental) →
  2. Ahmad Jamal, Emerald City Nights: Live at the Penthouse 1966-1968 (Jazz Detective/Elemental) →
  3. Johnny Griffin, Live at Ronnie Scott's (1964, Gearbox) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Also see the voter's Top ten new releases (instrumental) of 2023

Mark Lomanno (The Rhythm of Study)

NEW RELEASES (listed alphabetically; 5.5 points each)

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL) (listed alphabetically; 2 points each)

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Also see The Year in Review - 2023.

Suzanne Lorge (DownBeat, New York City Jazz Record)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Kenny Barron, The Source (Artwork) →
  2. Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Dynamic Maximum Tension (Nonesuch) →
  3. Lakecia Benjamin, Phoenix (Whirlwind) →
  4. Julian Lage, The Layers (Blue Note) →
  5. Artemis, In Real Time (Blue Note) →
  6. Isaiah J. Thompson, The Power of the Spirit (Blue Engine) →
  7. Cécile McLorin Salvant, Mélusine (Nonesuch) →
  8. Ivan Lins, My Heart Speaks (Resonance) →
  9. Ambrose Akinmusire, Owl Song (Nonesuch) →
  10. Sean Mason, The Southern Suite (Blue Engine) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Nina Simone, Four Women: The Nina Simone Complete Recordings 1964-1967 (Verve) →
  2. Wayne Shorter, Footprints Live! (2001, Verve/Third Man) →
  3. Charles Mingus, Changes: The Complete 1970s Atlantic Studio Recordings (1973-79, Rhino) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Brad Luen (Semipop Life)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Jason Moran, From the Dancehall to the Battlefield (Yes) →
  2. Isach Skeidsvoll, Dance to Summon (Ultraaani) →
  3. James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet, For Mahalia, With Love (Tao Forms) →
  4. Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation) →
  5. Jaimie Branch, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) (International Anthem) →
  6. Myra Melford's Fire and Water Quintet, Hear the Light Singing (RogueArt) →
  7. Mark Lomax Trio, Tapestry (CFG Multimedia) →
  8. Rodrigo Amado/The Bridge, Beyond the Margins (Trost) →
  9. James Brandon Lewis Trio, Eye of I (Anti-) →
  10. Emmet Cohen, Master Legacy Series Volume 5: Featuring Houston Person (Bandstand Presents) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Also see 40 favorite albums of my 2023.

Phillip Lutz (DownBeat)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Andy Emler MegaOctet, No Rush! (La Buissonne) →
  2. Julian Lage, The Layers (Blue Note) →
  3. Arooj Aftab-Vijay Iyer-Shahzad Ismaily, Love in Exile (Verve) →
  4. Bill Frisell, Four (Blue Note '22) →
  5. Tyshawn Sorey Trio, Continuing (Pi) →
  6. Meshell Ndegeocello, The Omnichord Real Book (Blue Note) →
  7. Jakob Bro & Joe Lovano, Once Around the Room: A Tribute to Paul Motian (ECM '22) →
  8. Mark Dresser, Times of Change (Pyroclastic) →
  9. Kassa Overall, Animals (Warp) →
  10. Buster Williams, Unalome (Smoke Sessions) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Jimi Hendrix Experience, Los Angeles Forum, April 26, 1969 (Legacy/Experience Hendrix '22) →
  2. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →
  3. Nina Simone, You've Got to Learn (1966, Verve) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Jim Macnie (DownBeat, Lament for a Straight Line)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation) →
  2. Micah Thomas, Reveal (Artwork) →
  3. Ambrose Akinmusire, Beauty Is Enough (Origami Harvest) →
  4. Sam Newsome & Jean-Michel Pilc, Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged (Some New Music) →
  5. Joëlle Léandre-Craig Taborn-Mat Maneri, hEARoes (RogueArt) →
  6. Tim Berne-Hank Roberts-Aurora Nealand, Oceans And (Intakt) →
  7. Irreversible Entanglements, Protect Your Light (Impulse!) →
  8. Jaimie Branch, Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((World War)) (International Anthem) →
  9. Loren Stillman, Time and Again (Sunnyside) →
  10. Michael Blake, Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Wayne Horvitz-Butch Morris-Bobby Previte Trio, Live Forever, Vol. 2: NYC, Leverkusen 1988-1989 (self-released) →
  2. Art Ensemble of Chicago, Les Stances à Sophie (1970, Play Loud!) →
  3. Abdul Wadud, By Myself: Solo Cello (1977, Gotta Groove) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Howard Mandel (Jazz Journalists Association, DownBeat, The Wire, Mandel's Media Diet)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Myra Melford's Fire and Water Quintet, Hear the Light Singing (RogueArt) →
  2. Edmar Castañeda World Ensemble, Viento Sur (self-released) →
  3. JoVia Armstrong & Eunoia Society, Inception (Black Earth Music) →
  4. John Scofield, Uncle John's Band (ECM) →
  5. Allison Miller, Rivers in Our Veins (Royal Potato Family) →
  6. Chief Adjuah, Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning (Ropeadope) →
  7. Gregory Lewis, Organ Monk Going Home (Sunnyside) →
  8. Dwight Trible, Ancient Future (Gearbox) →
  9. Caroline Davis' Alula, Captivity (Ropeadope) →
  10. Tyler Mitchell Octet, Sun Ra's Journey (Cellar) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Dorothy Ashby, With Strings Attached (1957-65, New Land) →
  2. Jazz at the Philharmonic, The Complete Jam Sessions 1950-1957 (Mosaic) →
  3. Geri Allen & Kurt Rosenwinkel, A Lovesome Thing (2012, Motéma Music) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Peter Margasak (The Wire, DownBeat, Chamber Music, Bandcamp Daily, Nowhere Street)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Russ Johnson Quartet, Reveal (Calligram) →
  2. Anna Webber, Shimmer Wince (Intakt) →
  3. Vilhelm Bromander, In This Forever Unfolding Moment (Thanatos) →
  4. Natural Information Society, Since Time Is Gravity (Aguirre/Eremite) →
  5. Marthe Lea Band, Herlighetens Vei (Motvind) →
  6. Kris Davis, Diatom Ribbons Live at the Village Vanguard (Pyroclastic) →
  7. Henry Threadgill Ensemble, The Other One (Pi) →
  8. Darius Jones, Fluxkit Vancouver (Its Suite but Sacred) (We Jazz) →
  9. Jason Moran, From the Dancehall to the Battlefield (Yes) →
  10. Antonio Borghini, Banquet of Consequences (We Insist!) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Abdul Wadud, By Myself: Solo Cello (1977, Gotta Groove) →
  2. Derek Bailey & Paul Motian, Duo in Concert (1990, Frozen Reeds) →
  3. Baikida E.J. Carroll, Orange Fish Tears (1974, Souffle Continu) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Paul Medrano (Best of Jazz)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Steve Lehman & Orchestre National de Jazz, Ex Machina (Pi) →
  2. Fire! Orchestra, Echoes (Rune Grammofon) →
  3. James Brandon Lewis Red Lily Quintet, For Mahalia, With Love (Tao Forms) →
  4. Matana Roberts, Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden (Constellation) →
  5. Matt Mitchell, Oblong Aplomb (Out of Your Head) →
  6. Anna Webber, Shimmer Wince (Intakt) →
  7. William Hooker, Flesh and Bones (Org Music) →
  8. Rodrigo Amado/The Bridge, Beyond the Margins (Trost) →
  9. Matthew Shipp, The Intrinsic Nature of Shipp (Mahakala Music) →
  10. Farida Amadou-Jonas Cambien-Dave Rempis, On the Blink (Aerophonic) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Dave Brubeck, Live From the Northwest, 1959 (Brubeck Editions) →
  2. Kim Dae Hwan & Choi Sun Bae, Korean Fantasy (1999, NoBusiness) →
  3. John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy, Evenings at the Village Gate (1961, Impulse!) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Also see the voter's Best Jazz Albums of 2023.

Ken Micallef (Stereophile, DownBeat, JazzTimes)

NEW RELEASES

  1. Antero Sievert, Dear Bossa (JMI) →
  2. Lage Lund, Most Peculiar (Criss Cross) →
  3. Jerome Sabbagh, Vintage (Sunnyside) →
  4. Kendrick Scott, Corridors (Blue Note) →
  5. Joe La Barbera Quintet, World Travelers (Sam First) →
  6. Josh Nelson, LA Stories: Live at Sam First (Sam First) →
  7. Antero Sievert, The_Underscore (JMI '19) →
  8. Sullivan Fortner, Solo Game (Artwork) →
  9. Dustin Wong, Perpetual Morphosis (Hausu Mountain) →
  10. Kassa Overall, Animals (Warp) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis With Shirley Scott, Cookin' With Jaws and the Queen: The Legendary Prestige Albums (1958, Craft) →
  2. Ornette Coleman, Genesis of Genius: The Contemporary Albums (1958-59, Craft '22) →
  3. Pharoah Sanders, Pharoah [Harvest Time] (1976, Luaka Bop) →

VOCAL

DEBUT

LATIN

Note: Disqualified: New Releases (2) John Sinclair Presents: Detroit Artists Workshop (Strut/Art Yard '22): recorded 1965-81