Note: The usual procedure is to send the longer invite out in a customized "mail merge" at the opening of the poll, then to send this "shorter" form out as a reminder as the deadline is approaching. Both verions have minimal links, as more links increase spam scores, making the mail less likely to be delivered. We keep copies of the invites on the website so that voters can refer to them. We are not running a "reader poll," but if you weren't invited and can make a case why you should have been invited, please contact us and make that case.
Dear Colleague,
Founded by Francis Davis in 2006, this is the 20th annual Jazz Critics Poll. Results will be published by ArtsFuse shortly after January 1, 2026, with complete totals and ballots on this website. Please consult the website for additional information, including more precise definitions of what's eligible where. (Or just guess, as you'll probably be right, and if not we'll talk about it.)
Let's make this as simple as possible: Reply, or copy this form into an email message, fill it out and send it to Tom Hull, the sooner the better, with Sunday, December 21 as the official deadline.
You may omit any categories you do not have choices for. You may include late 2024 releases if they are new to you. Use your judgment as to what qualifies for Vocal and Latin. A debut album is the first by an individual (leader or first-named of a joint credit list). Groups are almost never eligible.
Your name and primary affiliation(s)
Your choices for up to 10 New Jazz Albums of 2025
(in descending order, 1-to-10, or unranked and alphabetized
by artist).
Your choices for up to 5 Rara Avis (reissues and/or music
recorded in 2015 or earlier) of 2025 (in descending order, 1-to-5,
or unranked and alphabetized by artist).
We also have three categories: Vocal, Latin, and Debut. Please repeat any albums on your New Jazz Albums (or Rara Avis) you wish to be counted under those categories. In addition, you may also list:
Your choices for up to 3 additional Vocal albums:
Your choices for up to 3 additional Latin albums:
Your choices for up to 3 additional Debut albums:
Once you send your ballot in, I will check and count it, and return to you a formatted copy of your ballot, as it will appear on the website. Please check my work.
Send your ballot in as soon as possible. If you discover something new, or just change your mind, just let me know (up to the deadline), and I'll reply with another formatted ballot.
Don't sweat the details. If you have fewer than the maximum number of choices, send in what you have. Vocal and Latin are pretty much whatever you think they mean. Debut has a stricter definition (which almost never allows groups to be eligible), but if it feels right, the worst that can happen is the album is ruled ineligible, and you'll have the chance to come up with something else, or leave it blank. If you can't come up with a maximum list (or don't think it's worth the trouble), just leave it short or blank.
The point isn't to judge everything. You're just making your recommendations, and in doing so, we will all benefit from your knowledge and taste. We don't give out plaques or ribbons. All we are really doing is helping our readers to better understand the great bounty of jazz released each year.
For any questions, consult the website (especially the "Notes for Voters"), and feel free to ask questions.
We use an email list (jazzpoll [at] hullworks.net) to send occasional messages to voters, including news, reminders, and notice when the Poll is published. Unless you request otherwise, I will sign you up for this list when you vote (or earlier, if you request). Unfortunately, too much of this mail winds up in various spam folders, so if you're not receiving it, you should look there.
Your colleague,
Tom Hull