The National Endowment for the Arts has announced its 2016 honorees. Considered the highest honor that a U.S. jazz musician can receive, a tribute concert will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on April 4 at 8 p.m.
The organization has recognized four individuals for 2016: vibraphonist, bandleader and educator Gary Burton; musicians' advocate Wendy Oxenhorn; saxophonist and composer Pharoah Sanders; and saxophonist, composer and educator Archie Shepp. Each Jazz Master receives a $25,000 grant.
In regards to the performance, the evening will feature some of the greatest masters in the NEA canon, which includes Randy Weston, Jimmy Heath, Ambrose Akinmusire, Lakecia Benjamin, Stefon Harris, Justin Kauflin, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Jason Moran, Linda Oh and Roswell Rudd.
The concert will be hosted by Jason Moran with remarks filed by chariman of the National Endowment for the Arts Jane Chu, president of the Kennedy Center Deborah F. Rutter as well as all of the 2016 honorees themselves.
It will mark a 50th anniversary for the institution and will be streamed by Sirius XM on the date.
Premiering Monday, April 4, the gala will allow each household to reserve upwards of 4 free tickets at the Kennedy Center website. Reservations made will be valid until 7:45 Monday, Apil 4.
Tickets can be printed at home or made available for pick up at the venue.
A most prestigious honor, we congratulate the awardees on what is considered one of the most reputable honors in the world of jazz. Now, the genre's next mission is to revive the sound in a younger audience.
Nonetheless, preview one of the honorees, Pharoah Sanders, in a video below for the time being.
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