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Celebrate Black History Month with NEA Jazz Masters!

February 15, 2019

Jazz musicians and advocates receive the NEA Jazz Master Fellowship—the highest honor the nation bestows on jazz artists—because of the indelible mark they have made on the history of jazz, and on our country. From the moment they receive the honor they become a part of our nation's living history...

Congratulations to the 2019 NEA Jazz Masters!

July 11, 2018

Each year, the National Endowment for the Arts bestows the nation’s highest honor in jazz—the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships—on individuals who have made significant contributions to the art form. Today, the NEA has announced the four newest recipients of this lifetime honor: Bob Dorough , vocalist,...

Art Talk with Jazz Pianist James Francies

July 10, 2018

Houston native James Francies learned early on that he had perfect pitch. That gift, along with untold hours of practice, has made him one of the most sought-after pianists playing today. After graduating from the presitigous Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Francies earned a...

several people stand on a stage with a band while a woman in the center dances

#TuesdayThoughts from the 2018 NEA Jazz Masters

April 17, 2018

Last night at the Kennedy Center we celebrated the 2018 NEA Jazz Masters--Todd Barkan, Joanne Brackeen, Pat Metheny, and Dianne Reeves--with a stellar line-up of talent including both established and emerging jazz musicians. From Cecile McLorin Salvant and Helen Sung to Christian McBridge and NEA...

photos of 2018 NEA Jazz Masters with text from title

My Life in Jazz: Presenting the 2018 NEA Jazz Masters In Their Own Words

April 13, 2018

Brush up on your knowledge of the 2018 NEA Jazz Masters--Todd Barkan, Joanne Brackeen, Pat Metheny, and Dianne Reeves--just in time for Monday night's 2018 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert. Check out our video series to listen in as this year's honorees reflect on their careers in jazz, their...

on stage a man plays a Hammond B-3 organ with a drummer and a guitarist

#ThrowbackThursday: Getting Jazzy with the 2017 NEA Jazz Masters

April 12, 2018

Can't wait till Monday's 2018 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert? We can help with that! For #ThrowbackThursday revisit some highlights from last year's concert, which honored 2017 Jazz Masters DeeDee Bridgewater, Ira Gitler, Dave Holland, Dick Hyman, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. And don't forget to join us...

photograph of record player with record and back cover of a Blue Note album in the background

All That Jazz: A #JazzAppreciationMonth Podcast Round-up

April 11, 2018

If you have a love for jazz and want to “be a part of the musical conversation”—like 2018 NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves—then April might just be your favorite month! In 2001 the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History designated April as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) in order to celebrate...

photo of Helen Sung at the piano with her quote

#WisdomWednesday: Helen Sung

April 4, 2018

"I really believe that if things don't happen a certain way or if I don't get opportunities that I really, really, really want, it's going to be okay. Because if I keep the art pure, if I protect the art, then I will get the things that I need." -- Helen Sung Read the full interview with Helen Sung...

African-American woman wearing black furry dress.

Dianne Reeves

March 22, 2018

Growing up in Denver, Colorado, 2018 NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves was surrounded by music. “I grew up with many generations in my family,” she said, “and so I listened...

Protecting the Art: First-Person with Jazz Pianist and Leader Helen Sung

March 8, 2018

Helen Sung ’s life in music started with a red toy piano. As Sung recalled in a recent interview with NEA Director of Music and Opera Ann Meier Baker, “Somehow, this little red plastic piano showed up. It had about 12 keys and they were multi-colored, and I carried it around with me under my arm.”...

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