The results of the 80th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll have been announced, and the winner for Guitarist of the Year is once again Pat Metheny. Metheny released two albums on Nonesuch this year: The Unity Sessions and Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny.

"The results of this year’s poll illustrate a respect for tradition as well as an enthusiastic openness to innovation," said DownBeat Editor Bobby Reed.

The Unity Sessions is taken from a filmed performance with Pat Metheny Unity Group—Chris Potter on sax and bass clarinet, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Ben Williams on bass, and multi-instrumentalist Giulio Carmassi—first released on DVD in 2015. The set comprises 13 songs by Metheny, one he co-wrote with Ornette Coleman, and one well known standard by Ray Noble. The Times of London exclaims: "It's brilliant."

Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny joins the guitarist with a trio led by longtime Pat Metheny Group trumpeter Cuong Vu. It comprises five tunes written by Vu plus one by Metheny and one by Andrew D'Angelo."Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny is a complete success," exclaims All About Jazz, "a treat for fans of both musicians."

For additional detail and a complete list of this year's Readers Poll winners, visit downbeat.com. The December issue of DownBeat, which features the poll results, arrives on newsstands November 15.

To pick up The Unity Sessions and Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny, head to the Nonesuch Store now.