The 2018 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert Honoring the 2018 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters

Home , 32 Records, Aaron Diehl, Aaron Parks, Antonio Hart, Barry Harris, Benny Carter

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The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN , Chairman DEBoRAh F. RUTTER, President

CONCERT HALL Monday Evening, April 16, 2018, at 8:00

The Kennedy Center and the National Endowment for the Arts present The 2018 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert Honoring the 2018 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters

TODD BARKAN JOANNE BRACKEEN PAT METHENY DIANNE REEVES

Jason Moran is the Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz.

This performance will be livestreamed online, and will be broadcast on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and WPFW 89.3 FM.

Patrons are requested to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices during performances. The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in this auditorium. 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 2

THE 2018 NEA JAZZ MASTERS TRIBUTE CONCERT

Hosted by JASON MORAN, Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz

With remarks from JANE CHU, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts DEBORAH F. RUTTER, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The 2018 NEA JAzz MASTERS

Performances by NEA Jazz Master Eddie Palmieri and the Eddie Palmieri Sextet John Benitez Camilo Molina-Gaetán Jonathan Powell Ivan Renta Vicente “Little Johnny” Rivero Terri Lyne Carrington Nir Felder Sullivan Fortner James Francies Pasquale Grasso Gilad Hekselman Angélique Kidjo Christian McBride Camila Meza Cécile McLorin Salvant Antonio Sanchez Helen Sung Dan Wilson 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 3

NEA JAZZ MASTERS 1982–2018

Muhal Richard Abrams Ira Gitler Tom McIntosh Jamey Aebersold Benny Golson Jackie McLean Toshiko Akiyoshi Dexter Gordon Marian McPartland Mose Allison Lorraine Gordon Carmen McRae George Avakian Charlie Haden Jay McShann David Baker Jim Hall Pat Metheny Todd Barkan Chico Hamilton James Moody Danny Barker Lionel Hampton Dan Morgenstern Ray Barretto Slide Hampton Anita O’Day Kenny Barron Herbie Hancock Jimmy Owens Count Basie Barry Harris Wendy Oxenhorn Louie Bellson Roy Haynes Eddie Palmieri Tony Bennett Jimmy Heath Sun Ra George Benson Percy Heath Dianne Reeves Art Blakey Joe Henderson Max Roach Carla Bley Luther Henderson Sonny Rollins Joanne Brackeen Jon Hendricks Annie Ross Anthony Braxton Nat Hentoff George Russell Dee Dee Bridgewater Billy Higgins Pharoah Sanders Bob Brookmeyer Andrew Hill Gunther Schuller Cleo Brown Milt Hinton Jimmy Scott Ray Brown Dave Holland Joe Segal Dave Brubeck Bill Holman Artie Shaw Kenny Burrell Shirley Horn Archie Shepp Gary Burton Freddie Hubbard Wayne Shorter Donald Byrd Bobby Hutcherson Horace Silver Candido Camero Dick Hyman Jimmy Smith Benny Carter Milt Jackson Dr. Lonnie Smith Betty Carter Ahmad Jamal Billy Taylor Ron Carter Keith Jarrett Cecil Taylor Kenneth Clarke J.J. Johnson Clark Terry Buck Clayton Elvin Jones Toots Thielemans Jimmy Cobb Hank Jones McCoy Tyner George Coleman Jonathan “Jo” Jones Rudy Van Gelder Ornette Coleman Quincy Jones Sarah Vaughan Chick Corea Sheila Jordan Cedar Walton Miles Davis Orrin Keepnews George Wein Richard Davis Andy Kirk Frank Wess Buddy DeFranco Lee Konitz Randy Weston Jack DeJohnette Hubert Laws Joe Wilder Lou Donaldson Yusef Lateef Joe Williams Dorothy Donegan John Levy Gerald Wilson Paquito D’Rivera John Lewis Nancy Wilson Harry “Sweets” Edison Ramsey Lewis Teddy Wilson Roy Eldridge David Liebman Phil Woods Gil Evans Abbey Lincoln Snooky Young Art Farmer Melba Liston Ella Fitzgerald Charles Lloyd Tommy Flanagan Johnny Mandel Frank Foster The Marsalis Family Von Freeman (Ellis Jr., Wynton, Curtis Fuller Delfeayo, Jason, Dizzy Gillespie Branford) 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 4

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Jazz impresario Todd guest soloists with the choir. In 2001 Barkan Barkan ’s name is inextri - was hired as Jazz at Lincoln Center’s artistic cably associated with one administrator by Wynton Marsalis. He stayed of the nation’s legendary with the organization for more than a decade, T T

O jazz clubs: the Keystone serving as programming director and emcee B

B Korner, a San Francisco for its Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola venue from A

N venue he had opened in 2004 to 2012. H O

J 1972 and then managed for more than a decade. In 2013 Barkan co-produced the Keystone While that alone would make him a significant Korner Concert Series at the Iridium as well as figure in the jazz world, he also worked as a WBGO’s jazz series at 54 Below, both clubs in record producer, for labels such as New York City. In 2014 he helped establish the Fantasy/Milestone, Concord, 32 Records, Sea of Jazz Festival in Pompano Beach, and HighNote. His love of jazz, respect for the Florida. Barkan received a 2015 Grammy music and its practitioners, and knack for Award for Latin Jazz Album of the Year as co- curating exciting live performances served him producer of The Offense of the Drum by well in his subsequent capacity at Jazz at Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Lincoln Center. Orchestra. To date Barkan has produced hun - dreds of recordings, including artists such as Barkan was born in Nebraska, but was raised Tommy Flanagan, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby and educated in Columbus, Ohio, where he Hutcherson, Hank Jones, and Jimmy Scott. developed an interest in jazz as a teenager. He Barkan continues to work as a lecturer, record took piano lessons from David Wheeler and producer, and curator of live jazz events. Don Patterson, planning on a career in jazz. He also became friends with jazz legend Whatever the musical Rahsaan Roland Kirk, whom Barkan consid - setting—whether solo, ered his musical mentor. duo, trio, quartet, or

N quintet—pianist Joanne A M

Barkan first started producing jazz concerts in D Brackeen ’s unique style E I

1964 while attending Oberlin College in Ohio. R of playing commands F

By 1968 he had relocated to San Francisco, L attention. In addition to O R

working by day as a customs broker and by A her captivating and com - night as pianist for the Latin jazz band Kwane C plex improvisations, she & The Kwan-Ditos. An inquiry to perform at has written intricate, rhythmically daring the bar and live-music venue Keystone Korner compositions in a wide stylistic range. She proved life-changing as Barkan ended up is a full-time professor at Berklee College of buying the place and turning it into what Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and a pianist Mary Lou Williams once hailed as “the Berklee guest professor at the New School Birdland of the 70s.” During that time, Barkan in New York City. presented artists and produced dozens of highly acclaimed live recordings at his club. In Brackeen was a child prodigy who at age addition he worked as a booking agent, set - 11, learned to play the piano in six months ting up West Coast tours for jazz legends Art by transcribing eight Frankie Carle solos. Blakey, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, McCoy By 12 she was already performing profes - Tyner, and Phil Woods, among others. sionally. Some of her musical constituents at the time were Art Farmer, Dexter Following the club’s closure in 1983, Barkan Gordon, Charlie Haden, Billy Higgins, relocated to New York City to work as a Bobby Hutcherson, Scott Lafaro, and record producer for labels in the U.S. and Charles Lloyd. Simultaneously the Los Japan. During 1985–1990, he was the man - Angeles Conservatory heard of her musi - ager of the Boys Choir of Harlem, setting up a cianship and offered her a full scholarship. program that showcased jazz musicians as She attended classes less than one week 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 5

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before deciding the bandstand was more tour internationally, and to date, she has significant. played in 46 different countries.

Brackeen married and moved her family, Pat Metheny reinvented including four children, to New York in 1965. the traditional sound of She began her career there with such luminar - jazz guitar, bringing a fresh ies as George Benson, Paul Chambers, Lee sonic potential to the

Konitz, Sonny Stitt, and Woody Shaw among N instrument while offering a E D

others. She joined Art Blakey’s Jazz E deep reservoir of improvi - P

Messengers in 1969, becoming the first and N sational insight and musi - H

only female member of the group, staying until O cality. He is one of the few J 1972. Brackeen then performed extensively artists who has achieved with Joe Henderson (1972–1975) and Stan crossover popularity—three of his recordings Getz (1975–1977). After leaving Getz’s quar - achieving gold record status with more than tet, she emerged as a leader. 20 million records sold worldwide—and criti - cal acclaim. While his music resists any easy Traveling and performing mainly with her own description, his compositions cover a wide band was a delightful and enriching experi - range of settings, from modern jazz to rock to ence for both Brackeen and her band mem - country to classical. bers, which included Terence Blanchard, Michael Brecker, Ravi Coltrane, Jack Metheny grew up in a musical family, starting DeJohnette, Eddie Gomez, Billy Hart, Horace on trumpet at the age of eight and switching “El Negro” Hernandez, Branford Marsalis, to guitar a few years later. By age 15 he was Cecil McBee, John Patitucci, Chris Potter, and mentored by and worked regularly with some Greg Osby. She has recorded more than two of the best jazz musicians in Kansas City. dozen recordings as a leader, which include Following his graduation from Lee’s Summit 100 of her 300 original compositions. She High School, Metheny very briefly attended appears on nearly 100 additional recordings. the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, but he was quickly offered a teaching Sharing her musical knowledge and passing position instead. At age 18 he was the on the tradition have been important parts of youngest teacher ever at that university. Brackeen’s career. In addition to teaching at Berklee College of Music and the New He then encountered jazz vibraphonist Gary School, she has led clinics, master classes, Burton, who enticed him to teach at the and artistic residencies worldwide. Berklee College of Music—where Burton was teaching as well—and join his band, which Berklee College of Music has recognized Metheny did from 1974 to 1977. Metheny’s Brackeen with the following prestigious hon - 1975 debut album Bright Size Life introduced ors: a Distinguished Professor Award, an his unique sound, reshaping how one Outstanding Achievement in Education approached jazz guitar for a new generation of Award, and the Berklee Global Jazz players and fans alike. Throughout his career, Institute Award. Worldwide she received an Metheny has been innovative in using emerg - Outstanding Educator Award from the ing technologies to expand the palette of his International Association for Jazz Education, music. In addition to being on the cutting edge a Living Legend Award from the International of electronics, he has also developed acoustic Women in Jazz, and the BNY Mellon Jazz mechanical platforms in his Orchestrion proj - 2014 Living Legacy Award. She also received ects as well as a wide array of custom guitars, two National Endowment for the Arts grants such as his 42-string Pikasso model. for commissions and performances and received a U.S. Department of State sponsor - Having recorded scores of albums under his ship for a tour of the Middle East and Europe own name and as a sideman, Metheny per - in the mid-1980s. She continues to teach and formed with many diverse artists, such as 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 6

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David Bowie, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Association of Jazz Educators Conference, Haden, Jim Hall, Herbie Hancock, Roy and she came to the attention of Clark Terry, Haynes, Milton Nacimiento, and Steve Reich. who hired her to sing with him later that year. Metheny has also scored numerous movie soundtracks—the best-known work being In 1977 Reeves moved to Los Angeles to pur - The Falcon and the Snowman , on which he sue a musical career. Founding members of worked with Bowie. Metheny’s body of work Earth, Wind & Fire and fellow Denver for acoustic and electric instruments includes denizens, Philip Bailey and Larry Dunn, compositions for a wide range of performers, coaxed Reeves to come to Los Angeles including solo guitar, small groups, large where she immediately found a great deal of orchestras, and ballet. session work waiting for her. She was featured in the band Caldera with Eduardo del Barrio, To date Metheny has won 20 Grammy co-founded the fusion group Night Flight with Awards, being the only artist to have won Billy Childs, and toured extensively with Sergio awards in ten different categories. He was Mendes. inducted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 2013, joining the only other guitarists induct - In 1981 she recorded her first album for Palo ed: Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, and Alto Records. In 1983 Reeves moved to New Django Reinhardt. He received an honorary York after she was invited to tour as the fea - doctorate from the Berklee College of Music in tured principal voice with Harry Belafonte, 1996. He continues to record and tour in the who presented Reeves to the world. In 1987 United States and worldwide. she was signed to Blue Note Records, where - upon she had her cousin, keyboard pioneer Dianne Reeves can effort - and jazz great George Duke, produce the first lessly sing in whatever style of many of her albums. she wants with her far-

N reaching range, whether Stretching across genres, she performed with O S I it is rhythm-and-blues, Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the D A gospel, Latin, or pop. But baton of Daniel Barenboim as well as with the M

S I jazz always was—and con - Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Sir Simon R R

E tinues to be—her musical Rattle. She has also recorded and performed J foundation. as featured soloist with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. In 2002 Born in Detroit and raised in Denver, she became the first creative chair for jazz for Colorado, Reeves became interested in music the Los Angeles Philharmonic—a position as a result of her family’s rich musical atmos - designed to build the organization’s jazz pres - phere and growing up in an era where musical ence in the community in which it has greatly boundaries were less rigid than they are today. succeeded. Reeves was also featured in She was introduced to jazz through her uncle George Clooney’s acclaimed 2005 film Good Charles Burrell, a classical and jazz bassist, Night, and Good Luck , whose soundtrack who gave her lots of records including those provided Reeves with the Grammy Award for by an early influence, Sarah Vaughan. She Best Jazz Vocal Performance. Reeves has began singing and playing piano at age 12 won five Grammys to date, including the under the mentorship of her choir teacher award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for Bennie Williams, and became a member of three consecutive recordings. She is the recip - her high school jazz band. Upon winning a ient of honorary doctorates from the Berklee national competition, the band traveled to College of Music and the Juilliard School. Chicago in 1973 to perform at the National 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 7

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Grammy Award–winning became the youngest person to receive a T S I

T bassist John Benitez , union card in Boston. After studying under full R A

born in Rio Piedras Puerto scholarship at Berklee College of Music, E

H Rico, started playing Carrington moved to New York City in 1983 T

F gospel music in church at with the encouragement of her mentor Jack O

S the age of 13. Already a DeJohnette, and quickly started working with E T gifted musician, Benitez jazz greats Clark Terry, James Moody, Lester R U

O began his formal educa - Bowie, Pharoah Sanders, and Stan Getz. In C tion at Escuela Libre de the late 1980s she relocated to Los Angeles Musica, followed by study at the University of where she gained recognition on late night TV Puerto Rico and later the Puerto Rico as the house drummer for both the Arsenio Conservatory of Music with master bassist Hall Show and Quincy Jones’s Vibe TV show, Federico Silva. hosted by Sinbad.

By age 19 Benitez was the first-call bassist in In 1989 Carrington released a Grammy–nom - San Juan’s thriving jazz and Latin music inated debut CD on Verve Forecast, Real Life scenes. He performed with well-known artists Story featuring Carlos Santana, Wayne such as Chick Corea, Lucecita Benitez, Shorter, John Scofield, Patrice Rushen, and Batacumbele, Lalo Rodriguez, Cuco Peña, Grover Washington, Jr. Other solo albums of Roberto Roena, and Justo Betancourt, note include 2002’s Jazz is a Spirit , 2008’s among others. In 1993 he moved to New York More To Say , 2011’s Grammy Award–winning and attended the City College of New York The Mosaic Project , and 2013’s homage to where he studied with the legendary acoustic Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, and Max bassist Ron Carter and later with the contra Roach— Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue , bass guitarist Anthony Jackson. Benitez which also earned a Grammy Award, estab - learned on the bandstand performing with lishing her as the first woman ever to win in the some of the finest jazz and Latin musicians Best Jazz Instrumental Album category. including Wynton Marsalis, Tito Puente, Michele Camilo, Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Carrington received an honorary doctorate Bobby Watson, David Sanchez, Jeff “Tain” from Berklee College of Music in 2003 and Watts, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Danilo was appointed professor at the college in Perez, Kenny Kirkland, Will Calhoun, Vinny 2005, where she currently serves as zildjian Valentino, Chucho Valdez, Don Pullen, Dave Chair in Performance, Berklee Global Jazz Samuels, and Mongo Santamaria, to name Institute. She is also Artistic Director for the just few. Beantown Jazz Festival, Berklee Summer Sessions: Women’s Performance Program, As a sideman and a featured special guest, and is co-artistic director of The Carr Center, Benitez has performed in all of the major jazz Detroit, Michigan. festivals and venues around the world includ - ing Turkey, Jordan (where he played for the To date Carrington has performed on more royal family), South America, Canada, Norway, than 100 recordings and has been a role Finland, and all over Europe. model and advocate for young women and men internationally through her teaching and Celebrating 40 years in touring careers. She has particularly had a music, three-time Gram- long-standing affiliation with jazz icons Herbie my Award–winning drum - Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Carrington’s lat - mer/producer/composer est releases are The Mosaic Project: LOVE Terri Lyne Carrington and SOUL and Perfection , a co-led project E V

O started her professional with David Murray and Geri Allen. Her current L

Y career in Massachusetts at band Social Science, expects to release their C A

R ten years old when she debut album in fall 2018. T 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 8

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Called “the next big jazz Lauded as one of the top T S I

T guitarist” by NPR , hailed jazz pianists of his gener - A R V A

by The New York Times O ation, Sullivan Fortner E T A H

T as a “whiz kid,” and is recognized for his M

A F H O dubbed “incredible” by the virtuosic technique and

Y A S Montreal Gazette , Nir captivating performanc - E R T A

R Felder is a new voice in es. The winner of three N U L U O jazz guitar. Growing up prestigious awards—a G C right outside New York Leonore Annenberg Arts City, Felder spent his youth playing in rock Fellowship, the 2015 Cole Porter Fellowship bands while learning about jazz at the local from the American Pianists Association, and record store, inspired by icons from John the 2016 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Coltrane to voodoo-chill Jimi Hendrix. After Artists—Fortner’s music embodies the attending Berklee College of Music on a full essence of the blues and jazz as he con - scholarship, Felder moved to New York City in nects music of all eras and genres through 2006. He quickly became one of the city’s his improvisation. most highly sought after sideman, performing with an eclectic group of luminaries in jazz and As a leader the Sullivan Fortner Trio has per - other genres including Diana Krall, Brad formed on many of the world’s most presti - Mehldau, John Mayer, Chaka Khan, Terri Lyne gious stages including Jazz at the Lincoln Carrington (with whom he recorded the Center, Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Grammy–winning “Money Jungle”), Vijay Iyer, Festival, Discover Jazz Festival, Tri-C Jazz Jack DeJohnette, Meshell Ndegeocello, Festival, Jazz Standard, and the Gillmore Dianne Reeves, the New York City Opera, and Keyboard Festival. Fortner has been heard many others on tour throughout five conti - with other leading musicians around the world nents and at venues including Radio City including Dianne Reeves, Roy Hargrove, Music Hall and the Village Vanguard and Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, John Scofield, national television stations NBC and FOX. Cécile McLorin Salvant, Fred Hersch, Sean Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roberta Seeking a more personal creative outlet, Gambarini, Peter Bernstein, Stefon Harris, Felder first formed his own quartet in 2010, Nicholas Peyton, Billy Hart, Dave Liebman, recording the critically acclaimed debut Gary Bartz, Etienne Charles, and Christian Golden Age (Sony/OKeh), called “lyrical and Scott. lofty” by The New York Times , “mesmerizing” by The Boston Globe , “a melodic triumph” by Fortner brings the same sense of musician - the New York City Jazz Record , “mind-bog - ship to his recordings as he does to his live gling” by All About Jazz , and “a great record” performances. His first album Aria (Impulse by DownBeat . Four years after the release of Records) has garnered acclaim by The New Golden Age , Felder’s latest project for release York Times and DownBeat Magazine as it in 2018 is a set of two trio recordings featuring showcases Fortner’s mastery at both render - bassist Matt Penman and drummer Jimmy ing well-chosen standards and composing Macbride. Using the studio as an instrument memorable melodies. On Aria Fortner leads a and the latest in sound design technology, the splendid ensemble, comprised of drummer result is a layered music that blends jazz Joe Dyson, Jr., bassist Aidan Carroll, and improvisation with other genres in new ways tenor and soprano saxophonist Tivon and stretches the boundaries of what a jazz Pennicott. Fortner’s highly anticipated sopho - record is and can be. more album as a solo recording artist is slated to be released in 2018. Fortner can also be heard on the recordings of Etienne Charles’s Kaiso (2011), Donald Harrison’s Quantum Leaps (2010), and Theo Croker’s Fundementals (2007). Most recently, he has 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 9

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recorded with Grammy Award–winning artists producer Questlove of the Roots on numer - Roy Hargrove and Cecile McLorin Salvant on ous projects such as music for commercials, their highly anticipated albums. film scores, and singles for different artists. Francies recently was a part of the film score Fortner’s foray into music education has led for Vincent N’ Roxxy with Questlove that stars him to lead master classes at today’s most zoe Kravitz, Emile Hirsch, and Kid Cudi. The formidable music institutions including Oberlin film can currently be viewed on Netflix. Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Francies’s impressive performance/recording (NOCCA), Purdue University, Lafayette credits include the Roots, Pat Metheny, Eric Summer Music Workshop, and Belmont Harland, Bilal, Kodak Black, Chris Potter, University (TN). Robert Glasper, Jeff Tain Watts, Jose James, Chris Dave, and many others. Francies was A native of New Orleans, Fortner began play - also a part of Chance The Rapper’s hit single ing the piano at the age of seven and was “No Problem” which went on to win two hailed a virtuoso before he was out of high Grammy Awards in 2017. In his high school school. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in years, Francies was a member of the Grammy jazz studies from Oberlin Conservatory and a Jazz Session Combo, the Thelonious Monk Master of Music in jazz performance from Institute All-Star Jazz Sextet, the Next Manhattan School of Music. Generation Jazz Orchestra, and the Texas Music Educators Association’s (TMEA) All- Even before moving to State Jazz Ensemble. Francies has performed T S I

T New York City in 2013, and toured extensively throughout five differ - R A pianist James Francies ent continents. Francies graduated from the E H

T had generated a well- New School for Jazz and Contemporary

O deserved buzz in the jazz Music on full-scholarship. James Francies is a

S arena. He is the youngest Blue Note Recording Artist, endorsed by E T

R recipient of the American Yamaha Pianos, Korg Keyboards, and is an U

O Federation of Musicians IWC Brand Ambassador. C (AFM) President’s Youth Award, DownBeat Magazine awarded him One of the most strikingly twice for Composition and Jazz Arrangement, unique artists of his gener - his band opened for the legendary Jazz ation, Pasquale Grasso

Crusaders reunion, and he performed at O has undoubtedly changed T R

Monterey Jazz Festival. U the way the world views C

A jazz guitar. Born in Ariano I N

Since he has been in New York City, Francies A Irpino, Grasso began play - F E

has toured and recorded with the likes of with T ing guitar at a very young Eric Harland, the Roots, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Pat S age. By the summer of Metheny, Chris Potter, Chris Dave, and 1997, his parents, who recognized the depth Drumhedz, and fronts his own band, Kinetic. of their young son’s talent, sought out the Francies can often be seen on the Tonight instruction of jazz innovator Agostino Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC with the DiGiorgio. A former pupil of Chuck Wayne, Roots. He is currently in the process of DiGiorgio immediately took interest in Grasso, recording his debut album for the legendary whose prodigious aptitude for the instrument Blue Note Record Label and was named one flourished as the young guitarist quickly of Eight Artists You Should Know by the became his closest pupil. From that point it genre-bending website Revive Music. would not be long before news of this talent Francies has also been featured in The New spread. York Times , The Wall Street Journal , Uproxx , DownBeat Magazine , and other publications. Barry Harris, the world-renowned jazz educa - Francies also works with drummer and tor and bebop piano master, became an 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 10

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extraordinary influence when Grasso attended T Gilad Hekselman has S I

his jazz workshop in Switzerland during the T quickly developed a repu - R A summer of 1998. Harris, contemporary of tation as one of the most E H

Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, and Cannonball T promising guitarists in

Adderley, took Pasquale and his brother Luigi O New York since his arrival

under his wing. Over the span of the next five S in 2004. After only a few E T

years, the Grasso brothers became pillars of R years, this native Israeli U

Harris’s international workshops and were O has shared the stage with quickly promoted from mere attendees to C some of the greatest instructors for the other students. Grasso was artists in the New York City jazz scene includ - named Harris’s guitar teaching assistant and ing Chris Potter, Mark Turner, Ben Wendel, for the last ten years, he has conducted work - Eric Harland, John Scofield, Anat Cohen, Ari shops in Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Hoenig, Esperanza Spalding, Jeff Ballard, Holland, and Slovenia. Gretchen Parlato, Avishai Cohen, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Tigran Hamasyan, Aaron Parks, and In 2008 Grasso pursued classical guitar stud - Greg Hutchinson. ies in the Music Conservatory of Bologna under Professor Walter zanetti. During his Hekselman has been performing in all the time at the conservatory, Grasso developed a major jazz clubs in New York including the new approach to the guitar, combining classi - Village Vanguard, the Jazz Standard, Blue cal tradition with Chuck Wayne’s modern Note, Smalls, and more. He has also been technique. touring the world constantly with his own bands, gHex Trio and zuperOctave, and as a In 2012 he moved to New York City and sidemen with some of the most prominent quickly made a name for himself in the city’s musicians on the scene. vibrant jazz scene. Grasso became part of the Ari Roland Quartet and the Chris Byars He has released multiple albums as a band - Quartet, performing in clubs, music festivals, leader to critical acclaim including SplitLife and recording in the studio regularly. Later that (Smalls Records), Words Unspoken (LateSet year he was named a Jazz Ambassador with Records) Hearts Wide Open , This Just In , and the U.S. Embassy, going on to tour extensive - Homes (Harmonia Mundi). His next record is ly across Europe, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, scheduled to be released in 2018. Cyprus, Lithuania, and Ukraine, among

others. T Three-time Grammy Aw- S I

T ard –winner Angélique R A Despite his young age, Grasso has performed Kidjo is one of the great - E H

with many leading musicians of the interna - T est artists in inter national

tional jazz scene such as Barry Harris, Charles O music today, a creative

Davis, Freddie Redd, Frank Wess, Leroy S force with 13 albums to E T

Williams, Ray Drummond, Murray Wall, Steve R her name. Time Magazine U

Grossman, Tardo Hammer, Jimmy O has called her “Africa’s C Wormworth, John Mosca, Sacha Perry, Ari premier diva.” The BBC Roland, Luigi Grasso, Chris Byars, zaid has included her in its list of the continent’s 50 Nasser, Bucky Pizzarelli, China Moses, Harry most iconic figures, and in 2011 The Guardian Allen Quartet, Grant Stewart, Stepko Gut, listed her as one of their Top 100 Most Nicolas Dary, Dado Moroni, Agostino Di Inspiring Women in the World. Forbes Giorgio, Michel Pastre Big Band, Gianni Magazine has ranked Kidjo as the first woman Basso Big Band, Joe Cohn, Oscar zenari, in their list of the Most Powerful Celebrities in and Luca Pisani. Grasso’s guitar was expertly Africa. crafted for him by longtime friend and luthier Bryant Trenier. Trenier Guitars is located in As a performer her striking voice, stage pres - Suffern, New York. ence, and fluency in multiple cultures and 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 11

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languages have won respect from her peers McLaughlin, and Pat Metheny, among others, and expanded her following across national McBride has been artist-in-residence and borders. Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West artistic director with organizations such as African traditions of her childhood in Benin Jazz Aspen, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The with elements of American R&B, funk, and Jazz Museum in Harlem, Jazz House Kids, jazz, as well as influences from Europe and and NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Latin America. Center–Newark).

Her star-studded album Djin Djin won a McBride tours consistently with his bands Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World New Jawn and Tip City. He also fronts the Album in 2008, and her album Oyo was nom - Christian McBride Big Band, whose Mack inated for the same award in 2011. In January Avenue Records recording The Good Feeling 2014 her first book, a memoir titled Spirit won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Rising: My Life, My Music and her 12th album, Ensemble Album in 2012—his third win over - Eve , were released to critical acclaim. Eve later all. On September 22, 2017, Christian went on to win the Grammy Award for Best McBride’s Big Band released their sophomore World Music Album in 2015, and her historic, album, Bringin’ It . Bringin’ It also won the orchestral album Sings with the Orchestre Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Philharmonique Du Luxembourg won a Album in 2018. Grammy for Best World Music Album in 2016. In addition McBride hosts a show on The new year brings us Kidjo’s newest project, Sirius/XM and DJs at clubs as DJ Brother her interpretation of The Talking Heads’s clas - Mister. McBride was recently named host of sic 1980 album Remain in Light . She recorded Jazz Night in America , a new program from her version of the album with superstar pro - NPR Music and WBGO that showcases ducer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Jay z, today’s thriving jazz scene. While he continues Drake, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, and Taylor his role as Artistic Director for the Montclair Swift), taking classic songs such as Jazz Festival, 2017 also marked his first year “Crosseyed and Painless,” “Once in a in the same role for the critically acclaimed Lifetime,” and “Born Under Punches (The Newport Jazz Festival. Heat Goes On)” and reinterpreting them with electrifying rhythms, African guitars, and lay - During her seven years in T S I

ered backing vocals. T the United States, Camila R A

Meza has created a big E H

Kidjo also travels the world advocating on T impact in the New York

behalf of children in her capacity as a UNICEF O jazz scene. She possess -

and OXFAM Goodwill Ambassador. She cre - S es an innate and rare E T

ated her own charitable foundation Batonga, R combination of qualities as U

dedicated to support the education of young O a singer and guitar player, girls in Africa. C who also writes her own songs and arrangements. She has a highly Christian McBride is a expressive voice with a unique tamber and T S I

T six-time Grammy Award– way of phrasing, while her sound and accom - R A

winning bassist/composer paniment on the guitar are equally touching E H

T who, since the early and soulful. Meza’s music takes us on a joyful -

O 1990s, has recorded more ly energetic and deep journey full of beauty

S than 300 dates as a side - and adventure. Her Latin American roots and E T

R man and released albums profound connection to jazz combined with U

O as a leader since 1995. the fusions of contemporary and popular C music give the music she creates a very spe - Aside from various stints with Sting, Chick cial and appealing sound. Corea, George Duke, Roy Haynes, John 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 12

MEET ThE TRIBUTE CoNCERT ARTISTS

Meza belongs to a new generation of jazz Camilo Molina-Gaetán T S I

musicians that are interested in creating new T (Eddie Palmieri Sextet ) is R A

sounds and allowing diverse influences into an accomplished multi- E H

their music. With love for this exploration, T percussionist from New

Meza felt right at home in the diverse and cre - O York City and is consid -

ative jazz scene of New York City. She gradu - S ered to be one of the most E T

ated from the New School for Jazz and R promising and versatile U

Contemporary Music in 2012 where she had O percussionists of his gen - the chance to study with masters such as C eration. He has a vast Peter Bernstein, Vic Juris, Sam Yahel, Steve knowledge of music, spanning from jazz to Cardenas, and Gil Goldstein, amongst others. salsa, as well as the folkloric music of Cuba, But even before working with these masters, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. In 2000, she began playing with her peers and other Molina-Gaetán was selected as one of ten musicians of New York, quickly becoming part semifinalists to compete in the Thelonious of the New York community. Monk International Afro-Latin Hand Drum Competition. He went on to be selected third- An artist with an international reputation, she place place winner who, at age ten, was the has already played in festivals and venues all youngest finalist in the 14-year history of the over Europe including Swidnica Jazz Festival competition. Molina-Gaetán continues to in Poland, Hildener Jazz Festival in Germany, make a name for himself early in his career, Bergamo Jazz Festival in Italy, BMW Jazz performing with acts varying in musical genres Competition in Munich, Bern Jazz Festival in and styles. He is currently a member of Switzerland, and led two nights at the Legendary Pianist Eddie Palmieri’s Orchestras reknowned jazz club in France, Duc de and has toured, recorded, and performed with Lombards. She has toured as part of singer artists such as Santana, Tito Puente, Eddie Sachal Vasandani’s Quartet, pianist Fabian Palmieri, Dave Grusin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Los Almazan’s project with Strings with whom she Pleneros de la 21, Miguel zenón, Teatro recorded a Blue Note/Artist Share album in Pregones, Viento de Agua, John Santos, The 2013, and is the lead singer of trombonist Curtis Brothers, and many more. Ryan Keberle’s band Catharsis, contributing on two critically acclaimed albums: Into the Originally from Largo, T S I

Zone and Azul Infinito . Meza has performed T Florida, Jonathan Powell R A

with jazz legends Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, (Eddie Palmieri Sextet E

as a guest in Paquito D’Rivera’s band at the H picked up the trumpet at T

Patagonia Jazz Festival in Chile, and also as a O the age of 11 never to look

special guest of Aaron Goldberg Trio at The S back. He was inspired by E T

Jazz Standard in New York. Her collaboration R the great jazz trump- U

with Goldberg led to her first recording in New O eters Louis Armstrong, York, a six track (EP) of her arrangements of C Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie standards, Latin American, and Brazilian Hubbard, and Miles Davis to name a few. At songs. Her breakthrough album Traces had the age of 19 Powell moved to New York City her showcasing her talents as a composer, to immerse himself in the jazz culture. Though excelled singer, and guitar player on her debut jazz was his first and greatest love, he soon album for the New York-based label began incorporating elements of North Indian Sunnyside Records. classical music, drum ‘n’ bass, Hip Hop, death metal, and 20th-century classical music into his original compositions. These influ - ences are heard and felt on his debut album Transcend , self-released in 2010 and the fol - low up album Beacons of Light , released in 2015 on Truth Revolution Records. 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 13

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Powell has shared the stage and recording be Puente’s last album. After recording studio with world renown musicians and Masterpiece , Renta became a member of artists like Eddie Palmieri, Blood Sweat and Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Ensemble and Tears, Ricky Martin, Elton John, OMI, Miguel Salsa Band. Renta accepted an invitation in zenon, Henry Cole, Arturo O’Farrill and the 2003 made to him by pianist/composer/ Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, JT Taylor, La arranger Arturo O’Farrill to join Jazz at the Excelencia, Sam Rivers, The Pedro Giraudo Lincoln Center’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Jazz Orchestra, Q-Tip, Andy Milne, Gary After working with Palmieri for approximately Thomas, Lenny White, Reggie Workman, Just six years, he proceeded to become, the sax - Blaze, CL Smooth, Slick Rick, and Snoop ophonist for salsa legend Willie Col όn’s Dogg, to name a few. Known for his ease of Orchestra. He has also collaborated exten - adaptability to many musical styles, Powell sively with trombonist Luis Bonilla and percus - has earned a name for himself on the Latin sionist Chembo Corniel. music scene in New York City by winning the Latin Jazz Corner’s Best Latin Jazz Trumpet He recently released his first project as a Player of 2009. leader with pianist Edsel Gomez, bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Ernesto Born in Ponce, Puerto Simpson, and percussionist Richie Flores with T S I

T Rico, and raised in special guests Giovanni Hidalgo, Luis Bonilla, R A

Coamo, Puerto Rico, Ivan and Nelson “Gazu” Jaime. It was released in E H

T Renta , ( Eddie Palmieri September of 2013. In February of 2014,

O Sextet ) has become one of Renta’s lifetime body of work was recognized

S the premiere saxophonists by the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. E T

R in the jazz, Latin jazz, and He has performed with his Latin Jazz Quintet U

O Latin music industry. His at the Ventana al Jazz Fest (2014 and 2016) in C ability to adapt to any Puerto Rico and Humberto Ramirez’s Puerto musical situation has landed him on stage at Rico Jazz Jam as well as at various jazz clubs many of the world’s most prestigious venues throughout the New York City area. He contin - and music festivals. His credentials include ues to work with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro performances and more than 200 recordings Latin Jazz Orchestra, where he is a with artists such as Tito Puente, Wynton featured soloist, and has traveled to Cuba Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Col όn, Ron over the last few years, where they recorded Carter, Bobby Valentin, Marc Anthony, the Grammy award-winning album Cuba: The Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Heath, Ray Barretto, Conversation Continues . He has also per - the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Bebo formed and/or recorded with the big bands of Valdéz, to name a few. Renta has also per - Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, Robin Eubanks, formed with such diverse musical acts as Al Chris Potter, and Eddie Palmieri. Jarreau, Tom Odell, Stevie Van Sandt, and Hall & Oates. Cécile McLorin Salvant was born and raised in Renta has collaborated on five Grammy Miami, Florida, of a French Award–winning recordings. Renta is also an mother and a Haitian

active music educator and clinician. In 1999 N father. She started classi - O T

Renta moved to New York City to attend the T cal piano studies at five, I F

New School Jazz and Contemporary Music K and began singing in the R

Program. While at the New School, Renta A Miami Choral Society at studied with jazz legends such as Reggie M eight. Early on she devel - Workman, Gary Dial, George Garzone, Buster oped an interest in classical voice, began Williams, to name a few. In 2000 Renta got a studying with private instructors, and later with call to participate on Tito Puente and Eddie Edward Walker, became a vocal teacher at Palmieri’s recording Masterpiece , the winner the University of Miami. of multiple Grammys and what turned out to 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 14

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In 2007 Salvant moved to Aix-en-Provence, Riding the crest of a musi - France, to study law as well as classical and cal wave that began with baroque voice at the Darius Milhaud his score for Alejan-

Conservatory. It was in Aix-en-Provence, with N dro González Iñárritu’s A M

reedist and teacher Jean-François Bonnel, T Academy Award–winning T

that she started learning about jazz and sang E film Birdman or (The B

N with her first band. In 2009 after a series of I Unexpected Virtue of T S

concerts in Paris, she recorded her first album U Ignorance) ; followed by Cécile with Jean-François Bonnel’s Paris J soundtracks composed Quintet. A year later, she won the Thelonious for director Fernando León de Aranoa’s Monk competition in Washington, D.C. Política, Manual de Instrucciones ; and EPIX network’s Get Shorty , drummer/composer Over the years she has developed a curiosity Antonio Sanchez returns with his most per - for the history of American music, and the sonal work to date— Bad Hombre . The album connections between jazz, vaudeville, blues, a socio-political electronica and rhythm epic and folk music. Salvant carefully chooses her and was nominated for Best Contemporary repertoire, oftentimes unearthing rarely Instrumental Album of 2017. recorded, forgotten songs, with strong stories. To date Sanchez has been awarded five She enjoys popularity in Europe and in the Grammys, nominations for Golden Globe and United States, performing in clubs, concert BAFTA , World Discovery Award for Best halls, and festivals. In 2014 her second album, Soundtrack and New Artist Discovery Award, WomanChild (Mack Avenue Records), was Echo Award, and more. nominated for a Grammy. Bad Hombre crowns an extraordinary period Her third album, For One To Love (for Mack in the Mexico City-born musician’s life. Avenue Records), was recorded in 2015 with Following 17 years as one of the most revered Aaron Diehl (piano), Paul Sikivie (bass), and collaborators of renowned guitarist/composer Lawrence Leathers (drums). In 2016 For One Pat Metheny, he toured the world and To Love won the Grammy Award for Best appeared on ten recordings with the guitarist’s Jazz Vocal Album. Her fourth album, Dreams various ensembles. He also has collaborated and Daggers , (for Mack Avenue Records), with many of today’s most prominent jazz was recorded in part live at the Village musicians. Vanguard in 2016 with Aaron Diehl (piano), Paul Sikivie (bass), and Lawrence Leathers This astonishing run was paved by years of (drums), the Catalyst Quartet, and Sullivan hard work, which included a recent trio album Fortner. In 2017 Dreams and Daggers was turn and one of two albums recorded with his nominated for the 60th Grammy Award for brilliant quintet Migration. These remarkably Best Jazz Vocal Album. diverse releases spotlighted Sanchez’s evolu - tion as a composer and bandleader. Three Times Three showcased Sanchez at his improvisatory best with three different, but equally iconic all-star trios—pianist Brad Mehldau and bassist Matt Brewer; guitarist John Scofield and bassist Christian McBride; and saxophonist Joe Lovano and bassist John Patitucci. The Meridian Suite featured an hour-long electro-acoustic suite penned for Migration.

His journey continues this year with a new release of his compositions on a forthcoming 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 15

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work Channels of Energy with Vince Mendoza He has additional projects to be released, and the WDR Big Band. A new Migration seven songs to be included in an interactive recording is also in the pipeline for release later app, as well as a big band album, entitled Mi this year. Sanchez has made his home in New Luz Mayor , which features guest artists Carlos York City since 1999. Santana and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Known as one of the finest T Vicente “Little Johnny” T S S I I T T Latin jazz pianists of the Rivero (Eddie Palmieri R R A A

past 50 years, Eddie Sextet ) legendary congero, E E H H T T Palmieri is also known as percussionist, producer,

F F O O the bandleader of both songwriter, and band -

Y Y S S salsa and Latin jazz leader was born in New E E T T R R orchestras. His playing York City to Puerto Rican U U O O skillfully fuses the rhythm of parents. At age 14 Rivero C C his Puerto Rico heritage joined Orquesta Colón, the with the melody and complexity of his jazz youngest Latin band in New York City, and influences: his older brother Charlie, recorded two albums with them. He then Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, and moved to Puerto Rico with his parents and McCoy Tyner. joined La Sonora Ponceña. After playing bon - gos with the band for a year and a half, he Palmieri’s professional career as a pianist took switched to congas, which rekindled the love off in the early 1950s when he played with var - affair he had begun with this instrument as a ious bands—Eddie Forrester’s Orchestra, small child. Over the 16 years Rivero played Johnny Segui’s band, and the Tito Rodriguez with La Sonora Ponceña, he recorded 18 high - Orchestra. In 1961 he formed his own band, ly respected albums with them. La Perfecta, which featured an unconventional front line of trombones rather than the trum - Currently Rivero is touring the world extensive - pets customary in Latin orchestras. This ly with the winner of ten Grammy Awards, created an innovative sound that mixed Eddie Palmieri. In addition Rivero continues to American jazz into the Latin performances, work at studio sessions and perform with surprising critics and fans alike. Palmieri per - many of the biggest and most respected acts fected his arranging skills in the 1970s, releas - in Latin music including his own band. ing several impressive records that reflected his unorthodox approach to music, such as Rivero’s first solo effort, Pasos Gigantes , has the groundbreaking 1970 release Harlem been very well received by critics and music River Drive , which merged musical categories fans alike. He also wrote 12 songs and pro - into a freeform sound that encompassed ele - duced this CD, showcasing his compositional ments of salsa, funk, soul, and jazz. In 1975 and playing abilities. His second solo album, he won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Music In Me, was also well received in the Latin Latin Recording for his album The Sun of Latin jazz field in 2016. At the moment, he is working Music . He has won ten Grammy Awards total, on his new CD entitled Golpe Duro under and has received two honorary Doctorate of Uprising Music, Truth Revolution Records, and Music degrees from Berklee College of Music distributed by the Ropeadope label. (1998) and Lehman College in the Bronx (2017). In 2013 Palmieri was awarded the Rivero's credits include work with Eddie Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Palmieri, Charlie Palmieri, Rubén Blades, Grammy’s as well as the honor of NEA Jazz Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez, Ismael Master. Miranda, Ismael Quintana, Adalberto Santiago, Justo Betancourt, Bobby Valentin, In 2017 Palmieri released his newest musical Celia Cruz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Barretto, project, Sabiduría/Wisdom , a fusion of jazz, Patato Valdes, Changito, Tata Guines, John funk, and Latin fused with Afro-world rhythms. Santos, Frankie Ruiz, Sergio George, 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 16

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Descarga Boricua All Stars, RMM All Stars, album Mosaic Project ), and Lea Delaria’s Batacumbele, Alfredo De La Fe, Victor House of David project. Manuelle, Domingo Quiñones, Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, Dave Valentin, Dr. Lonnie An active, commissioned composer, Sung Smith, Ray Appleton “Killer”, Harry Allen, won a 2014 Chamber Music America/Doris Linda Ciofalo, Tim Ries (Rolling Stones) Duke Foundation New Jazz Works Grant, Donald Harrison, Phil Woods, David Sánchez, enabling her to create and record Sung With Miguel zenon, Monty Alexander, Joe Locke, Words . Scheduled for release in September Kenny G, Bebo Valdes, Paquito D’ Rivera, 2018, it is a “music-inspiring-poetry-inspiring- David Murray, Kathy Watson, and many other music” collaboration with Dana Gioia, a artists. Rivero has collaborated musically with California Poet Laureate and former Chairman three Grammy winners. of the National Endowment for the Arts. Inspired by her experience at the Monk Pianist/composer Helen Institute, Sung stays involved in music T S I

T Sung hails from Houston, education through residencies and work - R A

Texas, where she attended shops/clinics, and also serves on the jazz E H

T the High School for the faculties at the Juilliard School and Columbia

O Performing & Visual Arts University. In 2017 the College of Fine Arts of

S (HSPVA). An aspiring clas - the University of Texas awarded Sung with its E T

R sical pianist before jazz most prestigious honor—the E. William Doty U

O intervened during under - Distinguished Alumna Award, and HSPVA C graduate studies at the inducted her into its Jazz Hall of Fame. University of Texas at Austin, Sung went on to graduate from the Thelonious Monk Institute Music has been an integral T S I

of Jazz Performance and win the Kennedy T part of Dan Wilson ’s life R A

Center’s Mary Lou Williams Jazz Piano since his beginnings in E H

Competition. Now based in New York City, T gospel music. Upon hear -

Sung has worked with such luminaries as the O ing a Wes Montgomery

late Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Victor Lewis, S record in a relative’s base - E T

Steve Turre, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis R ment, Wilson decided to U

(who named her as one of his Who’s Got O pursue a career as a musi - Next: Jazz Musicians to Watch!), and C cian. Since then he has MacArthur Fellow Regina Carter. spent more than a decade honing his craft.

Sung’s sixth release as leader, Anthem For A His debut album To Whom It May New Day (Concord Jazz), topped jazz radio Concern was released in 2012 and is a prod - charts and garnered a SESAC Performance uct of an intense study of many different musi - Activity Award. With appearances at major cal styles and concepts. His most recent festivals/venues including Newport, Monterey, album, Balancing Act , was recorded live in his Detroit, SFJAzz, and Carnegie Hall, Sung is hometown of Akron, Ohio. also stepping onto the international stage: her NuGenerations Project toured southern Wilson has been touring nationally and inter - Africa as a U.S. State Department Jazz nationally with three-time Grammy nominated Ambassador, and recent engagements jazz organ legend Joey DeFrancesco. include European tours promoting Anthem, Wilson’s composition, “Who Shot John,” was the London Jazz Festival, and Taiwan’s featured on DeFrancesco’s 2015 release Trip Taichung Jazz Festival. In addition to her own Mode . Wilson can also be heard on the band, Sung can currently be seen with such Grammy–nominated Project Freedom , by fine ensembles as the Mingus Big Band, Terri Joey DeFrancesco & The People, released in Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project (she also 2017. In April of 2017 Wilson joined legendary performed on Carrington’s Grammy–winning bassist Christian McBride’s Tip City. 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 17

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In addition to touring with Joey DeFrancesco, features drummer David Throckmorton and he has enjoyed the honor of sharing the stage Cliff Barnes. with many jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, Wilson received his bachelor’s degree in Christian McBride, and Dave Stryker. music and liberal studies from Hiram College in 2006. His passion for Brazilian Wilson also teaches jazz guitar and theory music led him to the city of Rio De Janeiro through private lessons and co-leads a group in 2007 to conduct research for his master’s of world class musicians, called D.T.C, which thesis, which he defended successfully at Youngstown State University in 2009.

ABoUT ThE NATIoNAl ENDowMENT FoR ThE ARTS

Established by Congress in 1965, the its artists has been demonstrated through National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is major contributions to the appreciation, the independent federal agency whose knowledge, and advancement of the music. funding and support gives Americans the With the 2018 class, the NEA has awarded opportunity to participate in the arts, exer - 149 fellowships to great figures in jazz. cise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships Fellowships are awarded to living individuals with state arts agencies, local leaders, other on the basis of nominations from the public, federal agencies, and the philanthropic sec - including the jazz community, and each tor, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms receives a one-time fellowship of $25,000. and celebrates America’s rich and diverse The NEA encourages nominations of a cultural heritage, and extends its work to broad range of men and women who have promote equal access to the arts in every been significant to the field of jazz, through community across America. Visit arts.gov to vocals and instrumental performance, cre - learn more about NEA. ative leadership, and education.

From its earliest days, the National The NEA’s website has numerous resources Endowment for the Arts has funded count - about the NEA Jazz Masters, including: less jazz organizations across the country, • Bios and photos of NEA Jazz Masters making significant investments in support of • Video interviews with the artists jazz concerts, festivals, education activities, • Video from past NEA Jazz Masters and other programs. Initiated in 1982, the Tribute Concerts NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship is the nation’s • Podcasts with NEA Jazz Masters and highest honor given to those who have other jazz musicians and writers devoted their lives and careers to jazz, an art • Jazz Moments—more than 300 short form uniquely rooted in American history audio clips of musical excerpts and and culture. Described by the New York interviews with and about NEA Jazz Times as a “rare public accolade for jazz,” Masters the recipients represent a panoply of musical distinction, from vocalists and percussion - NEA podcasts and Jazz Moments can be ists to vibraphonists and saxophonists—all found at arts.gov, iTunes, and PRX. of whom have advanced the music through their commitment to jazz. In 2004, the NEA For more information on the NEA Jazz inaugurated the A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters and to make a nomination, visit Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy, given arts.gov/honors/jazz. to an individual whose passion for jazz and 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 18

FoR ThE NATIoNAl ENDowMENT FoR ThE ARTS

Ann Meier Baker, Director of Music & Opera Elizabeth Auclair, Public Affairs Specialist Don Ball, Assistant Director of Public Affairs – Publications Paulette Beete, Social Media Manager Natalie Donovan, Assistant Grants Management Specialist Daniel Fishman, Attorney Advisor Latonca Harris, Contracting Officer Victoria Hutter, Assistant Director of Public Affairs – Press Adam Kampe, Media Specialist Jennifer Kareliusson, Division Coordinator David Low, Web Manager Bryan McEntire, Assistant Grants Management Specialist India Pinkney, General Counsel Josephine Reed, Media Producer Kelli Rogowski, Visual Information Specialist Rebecca Sutton, Writer/Editor Katja von Schuttenbach, Jazz Specialist Sarah Weingast, Assistant General Counsel

The National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the support of Broadcast Music, Inc.® (“BMI®”) in sponsoring the NEA Jazz Masters Awards Dinner. Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI Charlie Feldman, V ice President, Creative and Industry Relations, BMI Deirdre Chadwick, President, BMI Foundation

ABoUT KENNEDY CENTER JAZZ

Kennedy Center Jazz, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jason Moran, presents leg - endary artists who have helped shape the art form, artists who are emerging on the jazz scene, and innovative multidisciplinary projects in hundreds of performances a year. The KC Jazz Club, launched in 2002 and dubbed “the future of the jazz nightclub” by JazzTimes, hosts many of these artists in an intimate setting. Annual Kennedy Center jazz events include the professional development residency program for young artists, Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead ; NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas, the Kennedy Center holiday tradition shared by millions around the country via broadcast on NPR; and the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival , created in 1996 by the late Dr. Billy Taylor (Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, 1994– 2010). The Center’s jazz concerts are frequently recorded for future broadcast on NPR. 4-16 JAZZ NEA Jazz.qxp_WPAS 4/6/18 10:33 AM Page 19

Upcoming Jazz at the Kennedy Center

May 5, 2018 Celebrate Mary Lou Williams Terrace Theater

May 9, 2018 Yissy & Bandancha (part of Artes de Cuba ) Eisenhower Theater

May 10, 2018 Yosvany Terry Afro-Cuban Sextet in the Cubano Club (part of Artes de Cuba ) Terrace Gallery

May 11, 2018 Zule Guerrra & Quinteto Blues de Habana (part of Artes de Cuba ) Terrace Gallery

————— staff for the concert hall The technicians at the Kennedy *Mary Jo ford, Mariah finkel...... theater Managers 22 772 Deborah Glover...... Box Office Treasurer Center are represented by Jerry Cooper ...... Head Usher Local #22, Local #772, Robert P. Tillett, Paul Farabee, Jr., and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E. 798 Crescenda Ramble, AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional Michael Buchman, union of theatrical technicians. William DC Valentine, Arielle Korb ...... Stage Crew The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by IATSE #868.

*Represented by ATPAM, the Association of Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative Theatrical Press Agents and Managers of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center.