NEA Jazz Masters

2004 Fellowships Recipients

The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowships are the highest honors that our government bestows upon jazz musicians. These fellowships are given in recognition that this magnificent art form, so profoundly based in American culture, is one of America's greatest gifts to the world.

RealPlayer | mp3 Jim Hall Guitarist		RealPlayer | mp3 Chico Hamilton Drummer		RealPlayer | mp3 Herbie Hancock Piano
RealPlayer | mp3 Luther Henderson (1919-2003) Arranger-Composer		RealPlayer | mp3 Nat Hentoff Music Critic		RealPlayer | mp3 Nancy Wilson Vocalist

For the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters, the selection criteria are excellence and significance of the nominees' contributions to the jazz art form. The Arts Endowment will honor a range of styles, musical instruments, vocalists, and composer/arrangers when making awards. The awards will be categorical; i.e., a rhythm instrumentalist, pianist, solo instrumentalist, vocalist, or arranger/composer will be honored each year.

In addition, one annual fellowship may be given to an individual who has made major contributions to the appreciation, knowledge, and advancement of the American jazz art form, such as a jazz advocate.