Frost School of Music faculty, alumni, and former faculty members had another banner year in Downbeat magazine’s 73rd Annual Critics Poll. As voted on by a record 251 critics, Frost School artists had 19 mentions in the highly prestigious poll—the last word in jazz.
Professor Etienne Charles, renowned Afro-Caribbean jazz trumpet player and composer, registered in four categories: trumpeter, rising star artist, and rising star composer of the year, plus album of the year for “Creole Orchestra.”
Also in album of the year was alumnus Emmet Cohen for “Vibe Provider,” who also appeared in pianist of the year and group of the year for his Emmet Cohen Trio.
Maria Schneider, artistic director of the Frost School’s Henry Mancini Institute, received nods for composer of the year and large ensemble of the year. Former Mancini Institute artistic director Terrence Blanchard also made group of the year.
Rising star tenor saxophonist of the year featured Frost School alumni Troy Roberts and Tivon Pennicott. Bobby Watson, a 1975 graduate, appeared in alto saxophonist of the year.
Alumnus Pat Metheny, who returned to the Frost School to perform and teach a masterclass during the April Centennial Celebration, appeared in two categories, guitarist and composer of the year.
Associate professor Dafnis Prieto, like Metheny, a GRAMMY-winner, scored for percussionist of the year.
Alumna Veronica Swift, a Downbeat rising star jazz artist in 2024, returned this year in the female vocalist of the year category. Alumnus Matt Pierson made producer of the year.
And making the field for large ensemble of the year was the Christian McBride Big Band, led by the artistic director of the JAS Academy, the Frost School’s summer jazz program in Colorado in partnership with Jazz Aspen Snowmass.
