The Poll Winners

Barney Kessel handled guitar duties, Ray Brown anchored the bass, and Shelly Mann sat behind the drums in this West Coast bop combo. Its Poll Winners designation originated from the musicians’ first-place finishes in the 1956-1957 Down Beat, Metronome, and Playboy readers’ polls for their individual instruments. The ensemble came together in 1957, issued four albums, and split up in 1960, although the players reconvened for a single recording session in 1975.