Holly Hofmann, long-time San Diego Jazz performer, producer, and entrepreneur was named the Downbeat Rising Star-Flute. Her latest project "Low Life: The Alto Flute Project" was released in June, 2014 and continues to climb the Jazzweek.com Jazz Album Chart, hitting #19 on the June 23 chart. Holly recently visited the Jazz 88 studios and was interviewed about "Low Life" and her career on The New Jazz Thing on June 2, 2014.
Gregory Porter, who's musical career took off during his time in San Diego in the 00's and who's 2014 Grammy Winning Best Vocal Jazz Album "Liquid Spirit" was produced by San Diego Jazz musician and producer Kamau Kenyatta, took away the Downbeat Male Vocalist nod. That follows his recent 2014 Jazz Journalist Award for Male Singer of the Year. Gregory was interviewed on The New Jazz Thing on October 28, 2013 when "Liquid Spirit" was at the top of the Jazzweek.com Jazz Album Chart.
Other big winners in the 62 Downbeat Critic Poll categories include Singer-songwriter Cécile McLorin Salvant (Jazz Album of the Year "WomanChild" / Female Vocalist / Rising Star–Jazz Artist / Rising Star–Female Vocalist) and Maria Schneider (Big Band / Composer /Arranger). The complete list is available on the Downbeat website.
Use our comment feature after the jump to send congratulations to both of these great Jazz performers with San Diego roots!!
