National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Ustad Zakir Hussain

Image of Zakir Hussain and tabla drums
Zakir Hussain. Photo by Jim McGuire 
It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of tabla master Ustad Zakir Hussain, recipient of a 1999 NEA National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Roy Haynes

Man playing drums.

Photo by Vance Jacobs

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of drummer Roy Haynes, recipient of a 1995 NEA Jazz Master fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Lou Donaldson

Man holding a saxophone.

Photo by Michael G. Stewart

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of Lou Donaldson, recipient of a 2013 NEA Jazz Masters fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master and National Medal of Arts Recipient Quincy Jones

Portrait of Quincy Jones

Tom Pich/tompich.com

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of Quincy Jones, recipient of a 2008 NEA Jazz Masters fellowship and 2010 National Medal of Arts. He distinguished himself in nearly every aspect of music, including as a bandleader, record producer, composer and arranger, trumpeter, and record label executive.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson

Portrait of Benny Golson

Photo by Tom Pich/tompich.com

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator Benny Golson, recipient of a 1996 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of James Earl Jones

Shirtless man with short hair talking to woman in white suit over a table with punching bag in background.

James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander in the NEA-supported original production of Howard Sackler's The Great White Hope at Arena Stage. Photo courtesy of Arena Stage

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of former National Council on the Arts member and National Medal of Arts recipient James Earl Jones.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern

Portrait of Dan Morgenstern

Photo by Tom Pich/tompich.com

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of jazz historian, archivist, author, editor, and educator Dan Morgenstern, recipient of the 2007 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Bill Holman

Portrait of Bill Holman

Photo by Tom Pich

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of composer, arranger, and saxophonist Bill Holman, recipient of a 2010 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Paul Bergren

A man in black shirt and tie sits with his wife standing just behind him wearing a blue printed blouse. They are smiling for the camera. In the background are people sitting listening to some speak from a podium

Paul and Darlene Bergren pictured in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress following the NEA National Heritage Fellowships Award Ceremony in 2012. Photo by Tom Pich

NEA Statement on the Death of 2012 Heritage Fellow Paul Bergren

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Albert “Tootie” Heath

Headshot of a man.

Photo credit  Ghylian Bell and Mychal Watts

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of percussionist and educator Albert “Tootie” Heath, recipient of a 2021 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.
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