The importance of jazz and the contributions artists make to the creation of this music isn’t always recognized as it should be, but thank goodness there is one organization that is doing something about that—the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).
The NEA announced the 2024 recipients of the NEA Jazz Masters on July 12, 2023. On Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., saxophonist Gary Bartz, Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard, vocalist/pianist Amina Claudine Myers, and Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival Willard Jenkins will receive NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships, which include an award of $25,000. They will be celebrated at a free concert.
The NEA has a 40-year history of honoring individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. The NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship is the nation’s highest honor in jazz.
“Jazz is one of our nation’s most significant artistic contributions to the world, and the NEA is proud to recognize individuals whose creativity and dedication ensure that the art form continues to evolve and inspire new audiences and practitioners,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Kennedy Center again this year on a concert that will honor and celebrate these Jazz Masters’ contributions and the importance of jazz.”
Jason Moran, Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, said, “What a thrill to again bring the NEA Jazz Masters back to the Kennedy Center and have this particular class of greats honored at our National Cultural Center.”
I’m particularly excited for my mentor Willard Jenkins as he is the recipient of the 2024 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy.
One could certainly expect that one day in the future, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt could be an NEA Jazz Master. Until that day we’ll just continue to appreciate the new music he puts forward—like his new album from HighNote entitled, “Tomorrow’s Another Day.” The release date is March 29.
According to the record label press release, this may be Pelt’s most experimental recording to date, notable for its variety and bold auricular explorations.
Listeners can expect to hear participation from drummer/technologist Deantoni Parks, who has previously collaborated with such artists as MeShell Ndegeocello and Andre 3000.
Track standouts include “No A.I.,” “Earl J,” and the title track, “Tomorrow’s Another Day.” The sounds the band creates are ultra futuristic and adventurous with plenty of diverse textures and colors. As someone who has followed Pelt’s artistry for years, I can honestly say this recording is next-level for him. The album is available for pre-order on Apple Music.
Celebrating birthdays this month are trumpeter/composer Blue Mitchell, saxophonist/composer Ornette Coleman, and drummer/bandleader Roy Haynes.
Richard Allen “Blue” Mitchell was born on March 13, 1930. My favorite album featuring Mitchell is Fantasy Records’ “Blue’s Moods” for its songs “I’ll Close My Eyes,” “Sweet Pumpkin,” and “Scrapple from the Apple.” The jazz, blues and soul music here is played with plenty of feeling and sheer dedication.
Ornette Coleman’s 94th birthday was on March 9. Although he’s no longer with us, his beautiful music still resonates to this day. I will never forget our interview back in 2005 for “DownBeat” magazine. He told me music has no race, it’s just an idea.
Roy Haynes’ 99th birthday was on March 13. He’s no stranger to the Twin Cities, and has performed here at Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis and the Artist’s Quarter in St. Paul. He’s among the most recorded drummers in jazz. Thank goodness Haynes is still alive and with us.
Another musical genius who we should be thankful is still among us is legendary pianist/composer Herbie Hancock, who performs at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis on April 4. He’s 83-years-young and celebrates a birthday on April 12.
I think since I enjoy his song “Mimosa” from his stellar album “Inventions and Dimensions,” I’ll take another listen to it and have a mimosa to get ready for the upcoming concert, which should be full of acoustic and electronic jazz magic. Look out for outstanding guitarist Lionel Loueke and 2024 NEA Jazz Master/trumpeter Terence Blanchard on this gig. For ticket information, visit hennepintheatretrust.org.
Visit arts.gov for recipient bios and selected discographies of the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters. The tribute concert is currently sold out, but you can watch it via live stream starting at 6:30 p.m. CST on April 13 at arts.gov and Kennedy-center.org.