Frost School of Music came up big in Downbeat Magazine's 71st Annual Critics Poll, one of the jazz world's most prestigious lists. The list, featured in the magazine's Fall issue, recognizes numerous artists who receive votes in over 60 categories, highlighting every jazz style and instrument. Once more, the Frost School was well represented, with sixteen current and former faculty members, staff, and alums who continue to enrich the world with the soulful essence of the genre within the community.
"It really speaks to the consistency and excellence of this department," says John Daversa, Frost's jazz department chair. "My predecessor, Whit Sidener, cultivated a culture of excellence, creativity, skill, and craft. So many professional musicians and artists have come out of here in the last 50 years, and they're still out there doing it. I'll run into them at music festivals and conferences all over the world, and they all speak of the Frost School and its jazz department with reverence."
Four current Frost faculty members were on this year's Critics Poll winners list, led by trumpeter Etienne Charles' top-10 placement in three categories (including number 1 in rising star trumpet). Also spotlighted were drummer Dafnis Prieto, trumpeter Brian Lynch, and soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland.
"They're all brilliant artists and educators who have dedicated their lives to music," Daversa says of Frost's faculty winners. "This just shows the excellence of their work. Their heart and dedication to music carry over into wanting to give that to the next generation, so it becomes one and the same."
Former Frost faculty member Pat Metheny had an impressive showing by appearing in four categories, topped by number 5 guitarist. Metheny was among four of this year's Downbeat Critics Poll list winners to be awarded the inaugural Frost Centennial Medals. In anticipation of Frost School's upcoming 100th anniversary in 2025, these Centennial Medals were bestowed to "exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions to the elite music school, the music industry, and the possibilities for how music and the arts can benefit society at large." The other three Centennial Medal recipients sharing the double honor were Frost star alumni: pianist Emmet Cohen, who appeared in three categories, and vocalists Veronica Swift and Carmen Lundy.
In addition to Cohen, Swift, and Lundy, other alum included in the Critics Poll list winners were alto saxophonist Bobby Watson in two categories, tenor saxophonist Troy Roberts, guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg, producer Matt Pierson, and tenor saxophonist Tivon Pennicot.
Also scoring on the Downbeat list are the current and former directors of Frost's Henry Mancini Institute. Current director, Maria Schneider, was number 1 in three categories (composer, arranger, and big band), while former director, Terence Blanchard, placed in the top 10 in four categories, topped by number 2 composer. Bassist Christian McBride, the artistic director of Frost's Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, appears in five categories, including number 1 bassist.
"Our students get to study with masters of the craft and rub shoulders with the best," says Daversa. "In being near that frequency, they start to run their own engine at that high frequency, too. They know what's possible because it's a standard they're around every day, a true apprenticeship. And it's not just one of us, but all of us. So, it's nice to have this kind of recognition that sheds light on what we already know internally at the Frost School."
