Jazz Fans in Buffalo Share Their Favorites of 2024
We are thrilled to unveil the results of the 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll! With over 1,500 ballots submitted across 36 categories, this year’s poll provided a wonderful opportunity for jazz fans, audiences, and readers to celebrate their favorite artists, groups, performances, and supporters.
(A friendly reminder: This poll is not a “Critic’s Poll” decided by a panel selecting the “Best.” Instead, it’s a “Readers and Fans Poll” recognizing the people’s choices as their “Favorites.” Nominations come directly from the community, and the winners and runner-ups are determined by popular vote.)
The year 2024 was filled with unforgettable jazz experiences, with fresh talent and musicianship breathing new life into the jazz community. It was a year where beloved events continued to thrive, some were sadly lost, yet new and refreshing performances emerged, making it an exciting and dynamic year for jazz.
Each year, the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to jazz in Greater Buffalo through exceptional performances, artistic achievements, and community involvement. This year’s recipient, chosen by popular vote, is none other than the beloved and deserving Abdul-Rahman Qadir. For decades, Abdul has generously shared his time, mentorship, and talent, making a profound impact on Buffalo’s jazz community. We are honored to recognize his contributions and celebrate his artistry.
We are thrilled to share that Becky Davis has been recognized as the Jazz Crusader of the Year! Becky’s revival of the Gypsy Parlor Jazz Jam, infused with fresh approaches, has made it more welcoming and accessible, creating invaluable opportunities for musicians to jam and connect.
In the Jazz Big Band of the Year category, the Anderson Big Band took top honors, celebrated for their exhilarating Friday Night Dance performance at the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY. Which won for Most Memorable Performance.
The year 2024 also marked the remarkable return of DeeAnn DiMeo, whose artistry was recognized in multiple categories. She was awarded Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year, received the most votes for her Jazz CD It’s My Time and earned runner-up recognition for both Most Memorable Performance and the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year Award.
My Cousin Toné continued to delight audiences, earning the top spots for Jazz Group of the Year and Jazz Large Ensemble of the Year. Their captivating performances of the Great American Songbook, especially during their Monday summer series at Tappo and a sold-out show at Jazz at Richardson, made them audience favorites.
This year’s poll also saw the arrival of new winners such as Jamie Sunshine, Dean Gionis, Ian Liedke, Back Room Jazz Band, and more. This is a testament to how our jazz community continues to grow.
Abdul-Rahman Qadir was also recognized as the region’s favorite drummer! This is indicative of the numerous projects that found Abdul in the drum chair.
The Jazz at the Ballroom program at the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY, celebrating the Great American Songbook, produced a winner for most memorable International Jazz performance by Champian Fulton and the ‘Flying High’ portion of the program. Which also featured Vanessa Perea and Olivia Chindamo.
The poll also revealed a rising star in jazz vocalist Vanessa Vacanti, introduced to many through JazzBuffalo events featuring incredible outstanding musicians like our John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year winner Abdul Rahman Qadir and Ian Liedke, this year’s winner for Jazz Piano/Keyboards. Ian’s versatile talent in jazz and musicals continues to captivate listeners and enrich the jazz experience in our community.
Congratulations to all the deserving honorees and heartfelt thanks to the jazz community for your incredible support and engagement in recognizing the extraordinary talent in Buffalo!
“The JazzBuffalo Poll gives audiences, jazz fans, and the community a chance to engage with and recognize their favorites each year,” said Tony Zambito, the founder and Executive Director of JazzBuffalo. “It is amazing how we’ve reached 10 years of the JazzBuffalo Poll. A poll that has become truly special for both the audiences and the artists. Especially giving new and young artists a chance to be known in the region.”
This year, we’ve added the actual results charts to see how close some of the voting is. Below is the complete list of favorites and runner-ups in the 36 categories of the 9th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll:
The 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll Winners
Jazz Tenor Saxophone – Dave Schiavone
Runner-up: Dalton Sharp
Jazz Alto Saxophone – Elliot Scozzaro
Runner up: Kevin Hall
Jazz Baritone Saxophone – Laura Anderson
Runner-up: Steve Baczkowski
Jazz Trumpet – Tim Clarke
Runner up: Joe Parisi
Jazz Trombone – John Hasselback, Jr.
Runner up: Pete Dauphin
Jazz Guitar – Dean Gionis
Runner up: Stu Weissman
Jazz Piano – Ian Liekde
Runner up: Jim Beishline
Jazz Organ – Doug “Trigger” Gaston
Runner up: Joe Baudo
Jazz Accompaniment – E.J. Koeppel – Violin
Runner up: Elliot Scozzaro – Flute
Jazz Upright Bass – Ed Croft
Runner up: Kevin O’Brien
Jazz Electric Bass – Ed Croft
Runner up: Jack Kulp
Jazz Vibes – Jamie Sunshine
Runner up: Alec Dube
Jazz Drums – Abdul-Rahman Qadir
Runner up: John Anderson
Jazz Percussion – Jamie Sunshine
Runner up: Wendell Rivera
Jazz Female Vocalist – DeeAnn DiMeo
Runner up: Janice Mitchell
Jazz Male Vocalist – Zach Carr
Runner up: Jack Civiletto
Jazz Classic Standard Group – My Cousin Toné
Runner up: Janice Mitchell Quartet
Jazz World – Hot Club of Buffalo
Runner up: Buffalo Tango Orchestra
Jazz Trad/NOLA/Swing – Back Room Jazz Band
Runner up: Skiffle Minstrels/Skiffle Minstrels Trio
Jazz Fusion – Ellen Pieroni’s Encyclopedia of Soul
Runner up: Kulpability
Latin Jazz – Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Ensemble
Runner up: Sol Y Sambra
Jazz Big Band – The Anderson Big Band
Runner up: Ladies First Jazz Big Band
Jazz Large Ensemble – My Cousin Toné
Runner up: Ladies First Jazz Combo
Jazz Soul/Funk/Contemporary – The Kevin Hall Band
Runner up: Dave Hill Group
Jazz Pop and Retro – Dozo My Lady featuring Carolyn Lansom
Runner up: JT3: John Troy Trio
Jazz Venue – Pausa Art House
Runner up: Sportsmen Tavern
Jazz Major Performing Arts Center – Kleinhans Music Hall – Mary Seaton Room
Runner up: Buffalo AKG Art Museum Auditorium
Most Memorable Jazz Performance – SwingBuffalo’s Anderson Big Band Friday Night Dance – Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY
Runner up: Getting Sassy-Sarah Vaughan 100th Birthday Celebration featuring DeeAnn DiMeo
Most Memorable International Jazz Performance – Jazz at the Ballroom – Champian Fulton: Flying High with Vanessa Perea and Olivia Chindamo – Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, NY
Runner up: Samara Joy: A Joy Christmas with the McClendons – UB Center for the Arts
Jazz CD/EP Release – DeeAnn DiMeo – “It’s My Time”
Runner up: Ellen Pieroni’s Encyclopedia of Soul – “Lonely No More”
Middle School/High School Educator – Laura Anderson
Runner up: John Hasselback, Jr.
College/University Educator – John Bacon, Jr.
Runner up: Ivan Docenko
Jazz Rising Star – Vanessa Vacanti
Runner up: Carolyn Lansom
Jazz Ex-Pat – Stephen Parisi
Runner up: Pete Malinverni
Jazz Crusader – Becky Davis – Gypsy Parlar Monday Jam
Runner up: Jack Zuff – Lazára Martinez – Pausa Art House
John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year – Abdul-Rahman Qadir
Runner up: DeeAnn DiMeo
Comments From The JazzBuffalo Community
Each year, our wonderful jazz community shares heartfelt comments about the individuals they voted for in the JazzBuffalo Poll. Here’s a compilation of some of these warm messages:
Abdul-Rahman Qadir – John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year
Abdul Rahman Quadir has superb timing, taste, and listening skills, all of which combine to make him a master of the drum kit. His empathy and ability to respond instantly to his fellow musicians on the bandstand make him one of the most respected and in-demand musicians in Western NY. Offstage, Abdul is one of the most decent, kind, and humble men you’ll ever meet. For all these reasons and more, Abdul Rahman Quadir is my choice for Jazz Artist of the Year.
Abdul Rahman Qadir is the first-call drummer for many bands based on his skill and positivity. He is a phenomenal teacher, always motivating his young students to be their best selves.
Abdul Rahman Qudir: Everytime I hear him play I feel a spiritual connection. He passion comes through when he plays and I feel it, especially because he is a drummer. I feel that even though I am a trombonist.
Abdul Rahman Qadir- an outstanding human, caring for his community and bringing joy to all with his passion for music.
Abdul Rahman Qadir gets our family’s vote for Jazz Artist of the year! As my daughter’s drum teacher, he inspires her weekly. We made it a point to visit while he played in ‘My Cousin Tone’ this summer at Tappo. Not only is he an inspiration to many, he is extremely talented, kind and there’s no way to beat someone as UPBEAT and positive as Mr. Abdul! He is so fun to watch perform!
Abdul is always supporting others and their music. He always makes sure he’s available to play percussion with the Matts Music Team at the Lewiston Jazz Festival. And to quote Mr. Abdul himself “Greatness! Greatness! Greatness!”
Other Comments
We love the Back Room Jazz Band!
When Angels sing I expect them to sound just like Carolyn Lansom.
Janice Mitchell is soulful, creative, and especially entertaining.
Sooooo enjoy listening to the beautiful voice of Janice Mitchell! And the piano melodies of Jim Beshline!
Carolyn Lansom is one of the finest Jazz singers of her time. Her performance is one that speaks to all generations.
I’m voting for Kevin Hall and Kevin Hall Band. Very talented and energetic, sounds great. Always a good time when they perform.
My Cousin Tone on Mondays in the summer at Tappo Rooftop is just the greatest!
Vanessa Vacanti. I’ve seen her in a few great (JazzBuffalo) shows, and you can tell her dedication to the craft is inspiring. Beautiful voice and beautiful personality on stage, she’s a (rising) star!
Zach Carr is extremely talented and deserving!
DeeAnn DiMeo has been steadily and consistently creating a buzz and her talent needs to be further exposed and appreciated. She has turned her pain into a passion and she deserves this nomination and award.
My Cousin Tony is our favorite band. We love going to Tappo in the summer and they play so many of our favorite songs! They’re all so talented and fun too!
We really enjoy My Cousin Toné and the great American songs they do, we enjoy it so much.
Dr. M(Leslie McCullough) she is a fabulous Jazz Singer and performer and her shows are wonderful to attend!
We loved Wendell Rivera Latin Jazz Band at Jazz at Richardson! It is our favorite thing to do in the summer and love Wendell and Jazz at Richardson!
DeeAnn DiMeo, I just love her music and her rhythm, she has a beautifully humble voice that carries so well. I would love to see her be recognized!
Dr. M and the Dr. M Jazz Combo have been consistently amazing, with jazz that touches your soul. The chemistry between the musicians can be seen through their lighthearted engagement, and simple cues. Songs are true to the original artist with some personal artistic flair. Dr. M is always dressed to impress and brings a little old classic Hollywood to the stage. They really have done an amazing job in only one year!
Deeann is extremely talented and is also very giving. She is a wonderful person and an incredible performer. She also contorts to raise money for the memory of her son. Every show she performs is absolutely incredible.
Kevin Hall knows how to connect with his audiences! He plays smoothly and you feel the music in your heart and soul!
Jamie is a bright ray of sunshine. Comienzo was fabulous at the jazz festival in Lewiston!
Hot Club of Buffalo is a wonderful band and deserves to win!
We didn’t see how to vote for Art Meets Jazz but that was such a great thing last year.
Please, please, please bring back Champian Fulton and that great show! All the singers were marvelous!
Kevin Hall is my favorite Saxophonist in the Buffalo area now!
Voted for Kevin Hall a very very good saxophone player who gives a great performance each and every time
Ivan Docenko is an incomparably talented musician and elevates any group he plays in. He is an invaluable educator who shows exceptional patience, skill, inspiration and guidance to generations of musicians. He publicly as well as quietly supports countless musicians and artists throughout WNY and beyond! He is the reason I have come to love jazz!
Elliot Scozzaro continues to perform all over WNY and travels with several national bands across the country. He does all of this while teaching music classes at both Buffalo State University and Fredonia State Unniversity. He performs, arranges, and writes music for all the groups he performs with. He is really the complete package!
Am so so thrilled for all musicians!! So well deserved by all, Am looking forward to catching all when they play out and where ever they may be as their music truly soothes my soul and is quite magical to me. Thank you Tony, as well !!
Thank you, robin! Your kind words and support are always so appreciated!
Just reading the announcement for music and musicians in this area. I was shocked not to see RAY SCALISKI name mentioned. My husband was JOHN LICATA, baritone saxophone. He passed away 16 years ago. I know he is truly missed in the music scene. Thank you for reading my comment. Rose Marie licata
Congratulations to all the winners this year! Some of whom I have personally performed with myself with pleasure! As a drummer/percussionist myself, I want to send a shout out to my long time friend and “partner in time” – Brother Abdul-Rahman Qadir who I have had the great honor of knowing many years as not only a fine drummer but an exceptional human being of compassion, empathy, and support that is steadfast and real! My heartfelt thanks to you Abdul and a glad heart for your honor in this 10th Annual JazzBuffalo Poll, well deserved my. friend!!!
I would also like to shout out to vocalist Becky (Jazzbird) Davis for whom I have had the great honor of not only knowing but loving with all my heart for her dedication to the life of Jazz in this town of Buffalo with her involvement because she not only talks the talk but she walks the walk in her support and promotion of Jazz from her heart as well as performing it herself!!! Congratulation Becky, I’m so glad you received that recognition for your efforts and that it did not go unnoticed!!! Again, kudos to all the winners, no matter the ranks, thank you for helping Jazz remaining active in this city! Finally, of course…an Exceptional appreciation to Tony Zambito for all his hard work for the “Jazz Cause” in WNY—— Marvin Jolly
Marvin, many thanks for taking the time to give all of us your heartfelt comments and act of kindness in this comment. You brighten our community and we are grateful!