The 21st Annual
Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll:
2026 Mid-Year

Ballot 2026 Mid-Year

Phil Freeman (Stereogum, The Wire, DownBeat, Burning Ambulance)

NEW JAZZ ALBUMS

  1. Jason Moran, Plays Duke Ellington (Yes) →
  2. James Brandon Lewis Quartet, Omni (Intakt) →
  3. Nduduzo Makhathini, The Myth We Choose (Blue Note) →
  4. The Tomeka Reid Quartet, Dance! Skip! Hop! (Out of Your Head) →
  5. Jeremy Pelt, Our Community Will Not Be Erased (HighNote) →
  6. Adam O'Farrill, Elephant (Out of Your Head) →
  7. DoYeon Kim, Wellspring (TAO Forms) →
  8. Chris Potter, Alive With Ghosts Today (Edition) →
  9. Aaron Shaw, And So It Is (Leaving) →
  10. Melissa Aldana, Filin (Blue Note) →

RARA AVIS (REISSUES/ARCHIVAL)

  1. J Jazz Volume 5: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1970-1988 (BBE) →
  2. Joe Chambers, Double Exposure (1977, Muse/Time Traveler) →
  3. Joe Henderson, Consonance: Live at the Jazz Showcase (1978, Resonance) →
  4. Charles Tyler Ensemble, Voyage From Jericho (1974, Frederiksberg) →
  5. Art Ensemble of Chicago, People in Sorrow (1969, Play Loud!) →