National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Norik Astvatsaturov

Norik Astvatsaturov explaining his craft at the 2017 National Heritage Fellowship concert

Norik Astvatsaturov explaining his craft at the 2017 National Heritage Fellowship concert. Photo by Tom Pich

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of Norik Astvatsaturov, recipient of a 2017 NEA National Heritage Fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Opera Honors Recipient Richard Gaddes

Portrait of Richard Gaddes in a suit and bowtie

Photo by Henry Grossman

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of opera advocate Richard Gaddes, recipient of a 2008 NEA Opera Honors Fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Eldrid Skjold Arntzen

Eldrid Skjold Arntzen wearing traditional Norwegian clothing and holding a box with her floral designs painted on it.

Portrait of Eldrid Skjold Arntzen by Tom Pich

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of Eldrid Skjold Arntzen, recipient of a 2005 NEA National Heritage Fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow R.L. Boyce

A black and white photo of an older man wearing a baseball-style hat, sitting on a folding chair playing the guitar and singing into a microphone. You can see another person in the background also playing music

RL Boyce performing in Como, Mississippi in 2021. Photo by Hunter Barnes

The NEA acknowledges the death of 2023 National Heritage Fellow R.L. Boyce

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Carla Bley
 

Carla Bley stands behind a microphone

Carla Bley at the 2015 NEA Jazz Masters concert. Photo by Michael G. Stewart 

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of composer, arranger, bandleader, and keyboardist Carla Bley, recipient of a 2015 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis
 

portrait of Richard Davis.

Photo by Michael G. Stewart

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of bassist and jazz educator Richard Davis, recipient of a 2014 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Roland Freeman

Two men sitting on a stage talking with one another. The man on the left is holding a microphone up for the man on the right

Roland Freeman speaks with Nick Spitzer (2023 Bess Lomax Hawes Fellow) during the 2007 NEA National Heritage Fellowships Concert. Photo by Michael G. Stewart

It is with great sadness that the NEA acknowledges the passing of 2007 NEA National Heritage Fellow Roland Freeman

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of NEA Jazz Master Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett stands smiling behind a lectern with the NEA Jazz Masters logo

Tony Bennett at the 2006 NEA Jazz Masters award ceremony. Photo by Tom Pich 

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of vocalist Tony Bennett, recipient of a 2006 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Jesse McReynolds

An older man with dark hair, black shirt and coat, and a red tie sings into a microphone and plays the mandolin

Jesse McReynolds performed at the 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellowship concert in a tribute to bluegrass musician and 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellow Mac Wiseman. Photo by Michael G. Stewart

It is with great sadness that the NEA acknowledges the passing of 1997 NEA National Heritage Fellow Jesse McReynolds

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Chris Strachwitz

Man with white hair holding a poster sitting on a stool in a music shop with records and books.

NEA National Heritage Fellow Chris Strachwitz. Photo (c) Tom Pich

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the death of record producer and label founder Chris Strachwitz, recipient of the first Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship in 2000.
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