Next Jazz Legacy, a program dedicated to increasing opportunities for women and non-binary jazz improvisers who are underrepresented in the art form, is now celebrating its third year since being founded in 2022 by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.
The program commemorated the milestone with the announcement of its 2024 cohort of honorees last April 24, all of whom will be offered intergenerational apprenticeship, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Next Jazz Legacy receives major funding from the Mellon Foundation, alongside support from Joe and Nancy Walker.
About the 2024 Next Jazz Legacy Cohort
This year's list of honorees includes Harlem-born musician Amyra León, Washington-based vocalist Christie Dashiell, Boston-based electric bassist Ciara Moser, Brooklyn drummer Eliza Salem, Japanese acoustic bassist-composer Kanoa Mendenhall, LA saxophonist Nicole McCabe, and Brooklyn pianist Yvonne Rogers.
This particular group of Next Jazz Legacy awardees was chosen through a meticulous, months-long review process that was paneled by a distinguished set of jazz luminaries, including chairperson NEA Jazz Master and Next Jazz Legacy's Artistic Director Terri Lyne Carrington.
Once chosen, Carrington and her Next Jazz Legacy team match the awardees with a master bandleader and a creative mentor for a year-long performance apprenticeship, both of whom are chosen following the awardees' own unique inclinations and talents.
"I'm very excited about Next Jazz Legacy moving into its third year! We have been working with some amazing women and non-binary musicians, as well as seasoned veterans, toward a more inclusive jazz future," shared Carrington.
Carrington is joined in the selection committee for this year's cohort by Brian Lynch, Camille Thurman, Caroline Davis, Elena Pinderhughes, Etienne Charles, Ingrid Jensen, Kendrick Scott, Kris Davis, Linda May Han Oh, Matthew Stevens, Mimi Jones, and Walter Smith III.
"I have always felt that on-stage apprenticeship was highly beneficial in my own development and am so happy that we can assist these incredible emerging musicians with an apprenticeship in their artistic journey," Carrington continued.
