Group of four awards on table.

NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships

The NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship is the highest honor that our nation bestows on jazz artists. Each year since 1982, the program has elevated to its ranks a select number of living legends who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. For more information, read our brief history of the program.

Watch the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert on demand now!

Concert program

Tribute Concerts (2012-2024) | Photo Gallery

2024 NEA Jazz Masters Fellows

2024

Gary Bartz

Saxophonist, Educator
2024

Terence Blanchard

Trumpeter, Composer, Band Leader, Educator
2024

Willard Jenkins

Artistic Director, Writer, Broadcaster, Educator, Oral Historian
2024

Amina Claudine Myers

Pianist, Organist, Vocalist, Composer, Arranger, Educator

Nominate an NEA Jazz Master Fellow!

The Arts Endowment encourages nominations from the public of a broad range of individuals who have been significant to the field of jazz through vocal and instrumental performance, creative leadership, and education.
Make a Nomination!

Recent NEA Jazz Masters Podcasts

Revisiting Dave Holland

Bassist, Cellist, Composer, Bandleader and 2017 NEA Jazz Master

Willard Jenkins

Artistic Director, Writer, Broadcaster, Educator, Oral Historian, and 2024 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy

Amina Claudine Myers

Pianist, Organist, Vocalist, Composer, Arranger, Educator, and 2024 Jazz Master