Next Jazz Legacy
Next Jazz Legacy is a national apprenticeship and mentorship program designed to elevate emerging jazz improvisers.
Next Jazz Legacy
Next Jazz Legacy is a national apprenticeship and mentorship program designed to elevate emerging jazz improvisers.
Funders
Next Jazz Legacy is a partnership between New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice with support from the Mellon Foundation. Next Jazz Legacy extends their gratitude to Joe and Nancy Walker for their generosity.
Next Jazz Legacy is a national apprenticeship and mentorship program designed to elevate emerging jazz improvisers. Operated in partnership with the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, funded by the Mellon Foundation, and led by GRAMMY-winning artist and NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington, the initiative increases opportunities for musicians who will contribute to a vibrant and inclusive jazz future.
Awardees receive a comprehensive support package including intergenerational mentorship, performance showcases at major jazz festivals, professional networking opportunities, and financial resources for creative and career development—helping secure a more equitable and sustainable future for jazz.
The 2026 cohort of Next Jazz Legacy awardees was chosen through an open application call followed by a meticulous review process by a distinguished panel of jazz luminaries, chaired by Terri Lyne Carrington. Once the awardees were selected, Carrington and the Next Jazz Legacy team worked closely with each of the musicians to match them with a master bandleader for a year-long performance apprenticeship, as well as a creative mentor for holistic career support, both of whom align with the awardees’ unique interests.
The selection committee for the 2026 Next Jazz Legacy cohort also included Consuelo Candelaria-Barry, Patricia Perez, Caroline Davis, Neal Smith, Matthew Stevens, Gregory Grover, Jr, Aja Burrell Wood, and Vanessa Rose.
Next Jazz Legacy (NJL) is guided by an advisory board that includes artists Gerald Clayton and Kris Davis, and representatives from institutions such as Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, NPR, WBGO, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, New York Winter Jazz Festival, and beyond. NJL is managed by Harlem-based music event producer and singer-songwriter Kendolyn Walker. Any questions about the program should be addressed to Kendolyn at [email protected].
The 2026 cohort of seven Next Jazz Legacy artists represents a dynamic fusion of backgrounds, talents, and perspectives, embodying a commitment to innovation and excellence within the jazz community.
Next Jazz Legacy centers customized apprenticeships that empower emerging artists to collaborate with seasoned artists and jazz elders who participate as band leaders, panelists and mentors. NJL’s vast network of bandleaders and creative mentors includes:
Bandleaders: Aaron Parks, Allison Miller, Ambrose Akinmusire, Billy Hart, Brandee Younger, Braxton Cook, Camae Ayewa, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly known as Christian Scott), Chris Potter, Craig Taborn, Danilo Perez, David Virelles, esperanza spalding, Gerald Clayton, Ingrid Jensen, Jason Moran, Jeff Watt, Kassa Overall, Kenny Barron, Kris Davis, Linda May Han Oh, Lizz Wright, Makaya McCraven, Marcus Miller, Mary Halvorson, Melissa Aldana, Meshell Ndegeocello, Miguel Zenón, Nasheet Waits, Nate Smith, Nicholas Payton, Regina Carter, Sara Serpa, Sylvie Courvoisier, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tia Fuller, Tyshawn Sorey
Creative Mentors: Andrew Cyrille, Aneesa Strings, Becca Stevens, Bill Stewart, Bobby McFerrin, Brandon Ross, Caroline Davis, Camae Ayewa, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Christian McBride, Cindy Blackman, Dianne Reeves, Ellen Arkbro, Genevieve Artadi, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Helen Sung, Ingrid Laubrock, Jen Shyu, Kris Davis, Ledisi, Lisa Fischer, Marilyn Crispell, Mark Dresser, Marquis Hill, Matthew Stevens, Meshell Ndegeocello, Nicole Mitchell, Patrice Rushen, Sheila E, Stefon Harris, Steve Davis, Susie Ibarra, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tia Fuller, Tomeka Reid, the late Wayne Shorter
See the full list of Next Jazz Legacy artists, their respective instruments, and bandleader and creative mentor pairings below.
2026 Awardees (Cohort 5)
Saxophonist, Bandleader, Composer | Bandleader: Sylvie Courvoisier; Creative Mentor: Ingrid Laubrock
Trumpeter, Bandleader, Composer | Bandleader: Allison Miller; Creative Mentor: Andrew Cyrille
Bassist, Bandleader, Composer | Bandleader: Jeff Watts; Creative Mentor: Cecile McLorin Salvant
Bassist, Vocalist, Composer | Bandleader: Jason Moran; Creative Mentor: Dianne Reeves
Drummer, Composer, Improviser, Organizer | Bandleader: Camae Ayewa; Creative Mentor: Marilyn Crispell
Producer, Composer, Producer, Bandleader | Bandleader: Braxton Cook; Creative Mentor: Aneesa
Trombonist, Composer, Arranger | Bandleader: Ingrid Jensen; Creative Mentor: Steve Davis
2025 Awardees (Cohort 4)
Trumpeter, Bandleader, Composer & Educator | Bandleader: Melissa Aldana; Creative Mentor: Marquis Hill
Vocalist, Composer & Educator | Bandleader: Danilo Perez; Creative Mentor: Ledisi
Afro-Cuban Percussionist, Singer & Composer | Bandleader: Kassa Overall; Creative Mentor: Terri Lyne Carrington
Upright bass, Composer & Songwriter | Bandleader: Billy Hart; Creative Mentor: Becca Stevens
Guitarist, Educator & Composer | Bandleader: Meshell Ndegeocello; Creative Mentor: Matthew Stevens
Gayageum performer | Bandleader: Kris Davis; Creative Mentor: Mark Dresser
Tap dance/feet percussion, Multidisciplinary artist & Educator | Bandleader: David Virrelles; Creative Mentor: Susie Ibarra
Saxophonist & Composer | Bandleader: Tyshawn Sorey; Creative Mentor: Ellen Arkbro
2024 Awardees (Cohort 3)
Vocals & Piano | Apprenticeship: Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly known as Christian Scott) | Creative Mentorship: Lisa Fischer
Singer, Composer & Educator | Apprenticeship: Terri Lyne Carrington | Creative Mentor: Stefon Harris
Bassist, Composer, Producer & Educator | Apprenticeship: Nate Smith | Creative Mentorship: Sheila E.
Drummer, Educator & Composer | Apprenticeship: Ambrose Akinmusire | Creative Mentorship: Cindy Blackman
Bassist, Composer & Educator | Apprenticeship: Kenny Barron | Creative Mentorship: Genevieve Artadi
Alto Saxophonist, Composer & Educator | Apprenticeship: Gerald Clayton | Creative Mentor: Caroline Davis
Pianist & Composer | Apprenticeship: Sara Serpa | Creative Mentor: Tomeka Reid
2023 Awardees (Cohort 2)
Piano | Apprenticeship: Miguel Zenón | Creative Mentorship: Helen Sung
Trumpet, Flugelhorn | Apprenticeship: Nicholas Payton | Creative Mentorship: Meshell Ndegeocello
Bass | Apprenticeship: Regina Carter | Creative Mentorship: Christian McBride
Voice | Apprenticeship: Craig Taborn | Creative Mentorship: Nicole Mitchell
Voice | Apprenticeship: Brandee Younger | Creative Mentorship: Patrice Rushen
Saxophone | Apprenticeship: Nasheet Waits | Creative Mentorship: Moor Mother
Saxophone | Apprenticeship: Makaya McCraven | Creative Mentorship: Tia Fuller
2022 Awardees (Cohort 1)
Drummer & Composer Apprenticeship: esperanza spalding | Creative Mentor: Wayne Shorter
Singer/songwriter, Trombonist & Multi-instrumentalist | Apprenticeship: Tia Fuller | Creative Mentor: Bobby McFerrin
Musician, Composer & Producer | Apprenticeship: Lizz Wright | Creative Mentor: Brandon Ross
Pianist, Vocalist & Composer | Apprenticeship: Marcus Miller | Creative Mentor: Georgia Ann Muldrow
Pianist & Organist | Apprenticeship: Chris Potter | Creative Mentor: Kris Davis
Guitarist & Composer | Bandleader: Linda May Han Oh | Creative Mentor & Recording: Bill Stewart
Trombonist, Composer & Educator | Apprenticeship: Mary Halvorson | Creative Mentor: Jen Shyu
Program Highlights
Next Jazz Legacy Advisory Board
Artistic Director, BIJGJ
Gabrielle Armand
VP Brand, Sales, Marketing, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Darlene Chan
FestivalWest, Inc., Los Angeles, New Orleans
Vocalist & educator
Pianist & Composer/Associate Director of Creative Development, BIJGJ
Director of Hip Hop Culture & Contemporary Music, The Kennedy Center
Executive Director, Little Black Pearl Art and Design Academy
Trumpeter, bandleader, composer and educator
Producer at NPR
New York Winter Jazz Festival
Jazz pianist & composer
Pianist & composer
Songwriter, bassist, guitarist & West Coast Dir. of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz
Managing Director, Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice
Funders
Next Jazz Legacy is a partnership between New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice with support from the Mellon Foundation. Next Jazz Legacy extends their gratitude to Joe and Nancy Walker for their generosity.
