Next Jazz Legacy has announced the first list of seven emerging women and non-binary awardees selected for this new program, engaging the music community with another crucial step closer to a more inclusive future. Focused on increasing opportunities for musicians most underrepresented in the art form, the three-year, national program launched by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, with major funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, will invest in each of these seven awardees through personalized apprenticeships, financial support, and a mission to inspire waves of lasting change.
Combining individual and group learning opportunities with a comprehensive support package designed to deliver deep impacts on every candidate’s career, Next Jazz Legacy champions those whose access to resources has been limited. With gender and racial justice as guiding principles, this inaugural group of Next Jazz Legacy awardees was chosen through an open call process and a months-long review process by a diverse panel of jazz trailblazers, chaired by NEA Jazz Master and Next Jazz Legacy’s Artistic Director, Terri Lyne Carrington. Once the seven awardees were selected, Carrington and the Next Jazz Legacy team worked closely with each of the seven musicians to match them with a pair of master bandleaders for a year-long performance apprenticeship, as well as an additional creative mentorship, both aligned with the awardees’ unique interests.
Ivanna Cuesta (drums) has received an apprenticeship with Esperanza Spalding and creative mentorship from Wayne Shorter. Lexi Hamner (voice & trombone) received an apprenticeship with Tia Fuller and creative mentorship with Bobby McFerrin. Keyanna Hutchinson (guitar) received apprenticeship with Lizz Wright and creative mentorship with Brandon Ross. Alexis Lombre (piano) received apprenticeship with Marcus Miller and creative mentorship with Georgia Anne Muldrow. Anastassiya Petrova (piano & organ) received apprenticeship with Chris Potter and creative mentorship with Kris David. Loke Risberg (guitar) received an apprenticeship with Linda May Han Oh and creative mentorship with Bill Stewart. Kalia Vandever (trombone) was rewarded an apprenticeship with Mary Halvorson and creative mentorship with Jen Shyu.
To learn more about the Next Jazz Legacy and future applications, click here.
