Kurt Elling: DownBeat Critics Poll Male Vocalist of the Year

Once again, the critics have chosen Kurt Elling as the top male vocalist in the 60th annual DownBeat Critics Poll!
Kurt has been named the DownBeat Critics Poll Male Vocalist of the Year for thirteen consecutive years, from 2000 through 2012, and was also awarded Talent Deserving Wider Recognition the preceding four years, from 1997 to 2000.

Frank Alkyer, DownBeat's publisher, remarked,

“This is one of our most exciting polls in years – not just because of its historic nature, but also because of some incredible, record-breaking artistic recognition.

“For our 2012 poll, 186 critics from around the globe voted, making this the largest voting turnout in the poll's illustrious history. The DownBeat Critics Poll is the most comprehensive poll in the jazz world. Its results show more than 1,000 artists or acts receiving votes in 62 categories, shining a spotlight on every style and every instrument in jazz.”

Congratulations to all of the 2012 winners, and especially to Kurt!

Coming up soon: Voting in the DownBeat Readers Poll. Stay tuned for how and where you can vote . . .