
Terri Lyne Carrington, founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, made history this month as the first woman instrumentalist to win best jazz artist in the DownBeat Critics Poll. Carringtons band Social Science, which features alumni vocalist Debo Ray '13 and guitarist Matthew Stevens B.M. '04, was voted best jazz group, and their 2019 release, Waiting Game, was named the years top album.
Berklee alumni were recognized across numerous categories for their artistic output from the past year, including Anat Cohen B.M. '98 (clarinet), Rudresh Mahanthappa B.M. '92 (alto saxophone), and Bill Frisell '77, who won Beyond Album of the Year for 2019s Harmony. The Maria Schneider Orchestra, which currently features alumni Keith O'Quinn '73 on trumpet and Richard Margitza '81 on tenor saxophone, was voted best big band. Two alumni took home Rising Star awards: Yuval Cohen B.M. 96 (soprano saxophone) and Lage Lund B.M. 00 (guitar).
Kris Davis, associate program director for the Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, tied for top pianist with Kenny Barron, who received an honorary doctorate from the college in 2010. Other Berklee honorary doctorate recipients who won in the DownBeat poll include Zakir Hussain '19H (percussion), Charles Lloyd '15H (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock '86H (keyboard), and Frisell '17H.
Professor Ralph Peterson and his Gen-Next Big Band won in the Rising Star-Big Band category. Petersons ensemble consists entirely of current Berklee students and recent graduates, including lead vocalist Chloe Brisson M.M. '18; trombonists Kuumba Frank Lacy, Brandon Lin, Stephan Tenney B.M. '20, Dean Scarlett, and Ethan Santos B.M. '19; trumpeters Robert Vega-Dowda '17, Yuta Yamagichi B.M. '19, Milena Casado Faquet B.M. '19, Will Mallard B.M. '20, and John Michael Bradford; saxophonists Eric Nakanishi B.M. '19, Craig Jackson, Solomon Alber, Tim Murphy, Gabe Nekrutman, Morga Faw, and Joe Melnicove B.M. '18; drummers Christian Napoleon and Samuel Bolduc; bassists Youngchae Jeong B.M. '18 and Nikos Chatzitsakos B.M. '20; pianist Ido Hammovich B.M. '18; and percussionist Manfredi Caputo B.M. '20.
Read the full list of Berklee-affiliated 2020 DownBeat Critics Poll winners:
Jazz Artist Terri Lyne Carrington, Founder and Artistic Director, Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice
Jazz Album Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science, Waiting Game (Debo Ray '13, Matthew Stevens B.M. '04)
Jazz Group Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science (Debo Ray '13, Matthew Stevens B.M. '04)
Big Band Maria Schneider Orchestra (Keith O'Quinn '73, Richard Margitza '81)
Alto Saxophone Rudresh Mahanthappa B.M. 92
Tenor Saxophone Charles Lloyd 15H
Clarinet Anat Cohen B.M. 98
Piano Tie: Kenny Barron 10H and Kris Davis, Associate Program Director of Creative Development, Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice
Keyboard Herbie Hancock 86H
Percussion Zakir Hussain 19H
Beyond Album of the Year Bill Frisell '77 '17H, Harmony
Rising Star-Big Band Ralph Peterson's Gen-Next Big Band (Ralph Peterson, Professor, Percussion Department; Various Students and Alumni)
Rising Star-Soprano Saxophone Yuval Cohen B.M. 96
Rising Star-Guitar Lage Lund B.M. 00
Related categories:
News
Most Popular
The Shape of Jazz to Come A new institute aims to create a more inclusive bandstand.
Latest
Terri Lyne Carrington Earns History-Making DownBeat Critics Poll Win Carrington took home three awards in this year's poll as Berklee alumni, faculty, and students were recognized across multiple categories.
What to Expect of the Online Experience This Fall Regardless of the modality students choose this fall-remote or hybrid-a good amount of class time is going to be online. Heres what you should know about that experience.
Songs for Social Change Contest Winners Announced The annual contest, presented by Berklees Songwriting Department and Songs for Social Change initiative, encourages students to write songs that promote positive change.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
Berklee Blogs
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Snapchat
Soundcloud
Spotify
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
08/01/2026
An evidence-based analysis on disinformation and information manipulation in Sudan's ongoing conflict is published today. (January 8th 2026).
Thomson Found...
08/01/2026
At CFP Semifinals, ESPN Again Flexes Its Operational Muscle With 20+ MegaCast Vi...
08/01/2026
SVG Students To Watch: Sophie Fowler, University of OregonThe Portland product has honed her skills as a producer, director, and TD at Quack VideoBy Brandon Cos...
08/01/2026
Follow the Money, Episode 3: Inside the Sports-Media Biz With Sam McCleery and K...
08/01/2026
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Qualstar's Jeff Sengpiehl on the Enduring Power a...
08/01/2026
Legendary February: Production Leaders at NBC Sports Pull Back the Curtain on Ol...
08/01/2026
In 2025 we launched the Spotify Partner Program to give creators more ways to tu...
08/01/2026
On Wednesday in Los Angeles, Spotify welcomed creators and press to a brunch cel...
08/01/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today announced several updates to its Board of Directors. As part of HPA's annual governance cycle, new leader...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Spain's national public broadcaster, RTVE, has upgraded one of its main television production facilities in Madrid with the installation of two Alfalite NEO...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
08/01/2026
Maxon's new release of Cinebench features performance enhancements and adds support for the latest Nvidia and AMD GPUs as well as Apple Silicon.
Maxon is t...
08/01/2026
Zixi, the industry leader in IP-based video transport and orchestration, today announced the appointment of Heather Mellish as Vice President, Global Sales.
In...
08/01/2026
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist, has provided a complete update of its installation at Canal Sur in Spain. ...
08/01/2026
iWedia, a global leader in software solutions for connected TV devices, proudly announces the success of its collaboration with Panasonic on the Z95B OLED TV, o...
08/01/2026
Secuoya Chile, a leading provider of television content creation and supporting services, has invested in Ikegami UHK-X600 and UHL-X40 broadcast cameras as the ...
08/01/2026
Kiloview, a global leader in AV-over-IP solutions, will showcase its latest innovations at ISE 2026, highlighting the continued evolution of its complete, light...
08/01/2026
iWedia, a global leader in software solutions for connected TV devices, and Realtek, a leading global SoC design house, today announced the next phase of their ...
08/01/2026
CJP Broadcast has completed a new pitch-side media installation for Cinderford RFC, creating a flexible production setup that supports match coverage, coaching ...
08/01/2026
PlayBox Neo further drives momentum in Playout, Streaming, Media Management and Delivery
"With a brand new year at PlayBox Neo already off to a flying start, I...
08/01/2026
Boston Conservatory at Berklee Presents Second Annual Commercial Dance BFA Conce...
08/01/2026
TSA awards Rohde & Schwarz contract for advanced airport screening ahead of Socc...
08/01/2026
Back to All News
New Korean Series Beauty in the Beast' (WT) in Production...
08/01/2026
The review looks back at DPA's miniature microphone development over the years. It compares the evolving technologies from the original mics through CORE an...
08/01/2026
Comscore Launches Audio Targeting and Measurement Capabilities with The Trade De...
08/01/2026
Tonight, on RT Prime Time at 9:35pm on RT One and RT Player
Tonight, Prime T...
08/01/2026
The Late Late Show celebrates the very best of traditional Irish music with its first-ever full special dedicated entirely to the tradition
Lisa Canny | Kevin...
08/01/2026
The next universal technology since the smartphone is on the horizon - and it ma...
08/01/2026
In the rolling hills of Berkeley, California, an AI agent is supporting high-stakes physics experiments at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) particle accelerator....
08/01/2026
It will be murder on the dancefloor when Dancing with the Stars returns this S...
08/01/2026
NVIDIA is wrapping up a big week at the CES trade show with a set of GeForce NOW...
07/01/2026
SVG Summit 2025: All General Sessions Now Available To Watch on SVG PLAYThe SVG Summit celebrated its 20th edition with a loaded agendaBy Brandon Costa, Directo...
07/01/2026
NBCU's Brings Rinkside Live' and Courtside Live' Features to Peaco...
07/01/2026
Spotify is launching a week-long celebration spotlighting creators at the center...
07/01/2026
We know people use Spotify not just to listen, but to share the songs, podcasts, and audiobooks they love with their friends and family. When we launched Messag...
07/01/2026
This week, all eyes are on the podcast industry as the Golden Globes recognizes ...
07/01/2026
Podcasts are stepping onto a new stage this week as the Golden Globes recognize the medium for the first time. To mark this milestone moment, we're hosting ...
07/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in collaboration with a distributor, is commissioning new micro-budget fiction feature films and invites eligible...
07/01/2026
NASA's Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at ...
07/01/2026
For the first time ever, new C' variants allow international users to interoperate with U.S. personnel via NSA-certified cryptography....
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
07/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...