Vote online in Down Beat's 2007 Readers Poll

Down Beat's annual Reader's Poll is always a good opportunity to ponder the current state of jazz and express support for your favorite musicians and recordings, and this year the jazz journal has elected to conduct the poll online.

While write-in votes are allowed, DB also supplies suggestions in each poll category. There are a number of musicians with St. Louis connections on the ballot, including Oliver Nelson (Hall of Fame, pictured), Miles Davis (Best Historical Album), Clark Terry (trumpet), Greg Osby (alto sax), Hamiet Bluiett (baritone sax), and Marty Ehrlich (clarinet). In addition, local label MAXJAZZ is nominated in the "Record Label" category, and former St. Louisan Ike Turner shows up as a nominee in the poll's two blues categories.

(Note that the poll does ask for some personal info, ostensibly to precent stuffing of the ballot box. I had no qualms, since I'm a longtime subscriber and the mag already has my address and other info, but your mileage may vary.)

Online voting ends on August 31. To cast your ballot, go the Down Beat Web site, look on the left-hand side of the page for the Reader's Poll graphic, click and follow the instructions.