BJS Artists score big in DownBeat’s 2026 Critics Poll

Media and Technology
Written By Paul Lehnert

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The Boise Jazz Society brought Anat Cohen and Linda May Han Oh to Boise last season, and they were top vote-getters in the 74th annual DownBeat magazine Critics Poll. Cohen was voted Clarinetist of the Year, and Oh Bassist of the Year. Artists from previous BJS seasons who are also top vote-getters are Hammond B3 organist Larry Goldings (here in March 2024) and vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant (November 2017).

It’s always great to see artists who have been to Boise get recognition, and we saw first-hand why they received this honor. Both Anat’s and Linda’s performances were joyful, improvisational heavy, and brought smiles to our faces. And on top of that, their educational Informances with local students were truly masterclasses.

Below is a partial list of the BJS artists that received votes in the DownBeat Critics Poll. We only listed top vote-getters, but if you find yourself a copy of the August DownBeat you’ll find other vote-getters who have visited Boise.

The Boise Jazz Society congratulates these artists and is proud to have brought them to town. We take our mission of bringing world-class jazz to Boise seriously!

Bold = Artists you’ll see this coming 2026 – 2027 season.

  • Anat Cohen, Clarinetist of the Year (in Boise January 2026)

  • Artemis, 4th for Group of the Year. You’ll see Artemis this season.

    • Nicole Glover, Rising Star of the Year, for both soprano and tenor saxophones. You’ll see Nicole with Artemis.

  • Cécile Laurent Sauvent, Female Vocalist of the Year (November 2017)

  • Christian McBride, 3rd for Bassist of the Year (June 2017)

  • Emmet Cohen, 5th for Rising Star, Artist of the Year (March 2026 and multiple times before)

  • Jenny Schelman, Violinist of the Year. You saw Jenny with Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom (August 2021).

  • Larry Goldings, Organist of the Year (March 2024)

  • Linda May Han Oh, Bassist of the Year and 3rd for Album of the Year (“Strange Heavens) (September 2025)

    • Sara Serpa, 5th for Female Vocalist of the Year. We saw Sara with Linda May Han Oh.

  • Paquito D'Rivera, 3rd for Clarinetist of the Year. Paquito has been to Boise a few times.

  • Sullivan Fortner, 2nd for Pianist of the Year and 5th for Artist of the Year, and his trio was 3rd for Rising Star Group of the Year. Sullivan has been to Boise multiple times.

  • Warren Wolf, 4th for Vibraphonist of the Year. You’ll see Warren this September.

Guitarist Pasquale Grasso and drummer Joe Farnsworth also received votes. You’ll see them both this coming season.

Paul Lehnert
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