Best of 2010 (So Far): The Panel Weighs In!

New York, September 16 — The first New York “Jazz Matters” meeting of fall 2010, a listening session with five critics blindfold-testing each other on “Best Jazz of the Year — so far,” was a success, prompting planning of a second follow-up session (on Thursday, October 14th) with a new set of panelists. Details to follow. The JJA is also encouraging JJA members in other cities to produce similar events.

Below is a rundown of tracks picked by panelists David R. Adler (JJA News, Lerterland – adlermusic.com), Sheila Anderson (WBGO-FM), Ira Gitler (Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, Jazz Inside magazine), Kurt Gottschalk (All About Jazz-New York, etc.) and moderator Howard Mandel (JJA president) at the New School Jazz performance space. There was lively discussion among the panelists and attendees, including conductor David Berger, vocalist Janet Lawson, pianist Joan Stiles, JJA members Lena Adasheva, Arnold Jay Smith, Elzy Kolb and Greg Masters, AllAboutJazz.com contributor/vocalist Simon Harper, trumpeter Poul Weis and Nu Jazz Entertainment principal Jerald Miller.

The success of the event suggested that there’s much more to discuss, and of course much more music to hear. So save the date for “Best Jazz of 2010 (So Far), Part Two” on Thursday, October 14th, 6-8 p.m. (panelists to be announced) again at the New School Jazz performance space, and stay tuned for announcements of other such events staged in other locations besides Manhattan.

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Track Rundown for September 15th

Sheila Anderson:

“Another Time,” from Willie Jones III, The Next Phase (WJ3)

“But Beautiful,” from Gregory Porter, Water (Motéma)

“Tippin’,” from Michael Dease, Grace (Jazz Legacy)

Kurt Gottschalk:

“Sap,” from Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Stems & Cages (MNJ)

“Pen Argyl,” from Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Forty-Fort (Hot Cup)

David R. Adler:

“Personal Mountains,” from Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet, Natural Selection (Sunnyside)

“Temporal Incursions,” from Suresh Singaratnam, Lost in New York (ind.)

“Hot for Teacher,” from Eric Hofbauer, American Fear! (Creative Nation)

Ira Gitler:

“Junior’s Arrival,” from Bill Carrothers, Joy Spring (Pirouet)

Howard Mandel (moderator):

“Vashkar” and “Love Song,” from Cindy Blackman, Another Lifetime (4Q)

Honorable mentions, from the panelists and the audience:

CDs by Jay Clayton, George Colligan, Charnett Moffett, Greg Lewis, Helen Sung, Lisa Hearn, Pat Metheny, Mary Halvorson, Cecil Taylor & Dominic Duval, Nicole Mitchell, Rudresh Mahanthappa & Bunky Green