DownBeat Critics Poll

Thanks to all the voters in this year’s DownBeat Critics Poll.

It meant a lot to me to be named Guitarist of the Year and for Amaryllis to be named Group of the Year, and I'm also grateful to be in the conversation for Artist and Composer of the Year.

Your support of my work, and the artists I love collaborating with, is greatly appreciated.

It made me especially happy to see my teacher and mentor, Anthony Braxton, celebrated on the cover of this issue for his 80th birthday and enshrined into their Hall of Fame.

In May we celebrated Anthony’s music and legacy at the Roulette Gala in Brooklyn which was a joyous reunion of his peers, mentees, and extended musical family, and an opportunity for me to perform his music again for the first time in many years.

Celebrations of Anthony will continue at Roulette throughout the fall.