Focused on increasing opportunities for the musicians most underrepresented in the art form, Next Jazz Legacy is a three-year national program launched by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.
Although there has been some forward movement, an analysis of a recent (2019) NPR Jazz Critics Poll shows that 58% of new albums had no women musicians at all. Only 16% had any women as core band personnel, and of the critics contributing to the poll, only 7% were women.
Next Jazz Legacy amplifies and addresses the need for all the masters of jazz to contribute to a more equitable jazz future.
With major funding from the The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Next Jazz Legacy will invest in the seven awardees through personalized apprenticeships, financial support, and a mission to inspire lasting change.
Ivanna Cuesta-Drums
Apprenticeship with Esperanza Spalding
Creative Mentorship with Wayne Shorter
Lexi Hamner-Voice & Trombone
Apprenticeship with Tia Fuller
Creative Mentorship with Bobby McFerrin
Keyanna Hutchinson-Guitar
Apprenticeship with Lizz Wright
Creative Mentorship with Brandon Ross
Alexis Lombre-Piano
Apprenticeship with Marcus Miller
Creative Mentorship with Georgia Anne Muldrow
Anastassiya Petrova-Piano & Organ
Apprenticeship with Chris Potter
Creative Mentorship with Kris Davis
Loke Risberg-Guitar
Apprenticeship with Linda May Han Oh
Creative Mentorship with Bill Stewart
Kalia Vandever-Trombone
Apprenticeship with Mary Halvorson
Creative Mentorship with Jen Shyu
