The results of the annual 61st DownBeat Critics Poll have been announced.
American jazz singer Gregory Porter was declared artist of the year and vocalist of the year in the category Rising Star.
The 43 year old singer, songwriter and actor has released his first album Water in 2010 that earned him a Grammy nomination for Best vocal album at the 53rd Grammy awards.
Two years later he released Be Good, an album for whose title song a video was shot that we bring here. The album got good critic reviews for the interpretations it consists as well as for Porter’s composer talent. It was also nominated in the category Best R&B performance at last year’s Grammy awards.
Blue Note signed him in May this year and his new sound carrier Liquid Spirit is expected at the beginning of September.
Other winners in the Rising Star category are:
Rising Star Jazz Artist: Gregory Porter
Rising Star Jazz Group: Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
Rising Star Big Band: Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band
Rising Star Trumpet: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Rising Star Trombone: Trombone Shorty
Rising Star Soprano Saxophone: Anat Cohen
Rising Star Alto Saxophone: Tia Fuller
Rising Star Tenor Saxophone: Jon Irabagon
Rising Star Baritone Saxophone: Vinny Golia
Rising Star Clarinet: Ben Goldberg
Rising Star Flute: Tia Fuller
Rising Star Piano: Gerald Clayton
Rising Star Keyboard: Jason Lindner
Rising Star Organ: Jared Gold
Rising Star Guitar: Rez Abbasi
Rising Star Bass: Ben Williams
Rising Star Electric Bass: Derrick Hodge
Rising Star Violin: Zach Brock
Rising Star Drums: Gerald Cleaver
Rising Star Vibes: Jason Marsalis
Rising Star Percussion: Dan Weiss
Rising Star Miscellaneous Instrument: Toumani Diabaté (kora)
Rising Star Male Vocalist: Gregory Porter
Rising Star Female Vocalist: Karrin Allyson
Rising Star Composer: Robert Glasper
Rising Star Arranger: John Hollenbeck
Rising Star Producer: Robert Glasper