Neal Weiss, Whaling City Sound, warmly thanks the knowledgeable and committed readers of DOWNBEAT Magazine for the honor of making our label #5 on the list of esteemed jazz labels for the year 2020-21

Whaling City Sound warmly thanks the knowledgeable and committed readers of DOWNBEAT Magazine for the honor of making our label #5 on the list of esteemed jazz labels for the year 2020-21. While some deride polls as “popularity contests,” all of us at Whaling City Sound have no problem being considered near the top of those organizations who bring jazz to you on a regular basis.

We are also thankful that many of the artists featured on our releases in recent years, either as leaders, co-leaders, or side-persons, have been recognized by Downbeat readers. Congratulations to those who have achieved this well-earned recognition. If we left anyone out of the list below, we apologize, and again, thank you for listening and voting. Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to know more about which releases include any particular musicians. ~Neal Weiss, President.  

Hall of Fame: Kenny Barron #2

Jazz Artist: Christian McBride: #2, Kenny Barron: #7, Teri Lyne Carrington

Trumpet: Ingrid Jensen

Trombone: Steve Davis

Soprano sax: David Liebman #2,

Alto sax: Greg Abate: #2

Tenor Sax: Gerry Bergonzi

Flute: Ted Nash, David Liebman

Piano: Chick Corea, #1, Kenny Barron, #3

Keyboard: Mark Cary

Organ: Joey DeFrancesco, #1: Larry Goldings, #3

Guitar: Russell Malone

Bass: Ron Carter, #2: John Patitucci, Linda May Han Oh, Dezron Douglas

Drums: Teri Lyne Carrington, #3: Joe Farnsworth; Johnathan Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts

Composer: Chick Corea, #2