WBGO announced that it will be partnering with the National Endowment of the Arts to livestream on wbgo.org the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert, which will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater at 2700 F St., NW, Washington, DC. In addition, WBGO will air the concert on Sunday, April 14 at 6 p.m. ET.
The concert will feature performances by 2024 NEA Jazz Masters Gary Bartz, Terence Blanchard, and Amina Claudine Myers, remarks by the honorees, and video tributes to their lives and careers. Joining Bartz will be members of his band—Paul Bollenback, Marc Cary, James King, and Kassa Overall. Blanchard will perform with the E-Collective: Charles Altura, Taylor Eigsti, David Ginyard, and Oscar Seaton. Myers will perform with her trio made up of Thurman Barker and Jerome Harris. In honor of Willard Jenkins, the African Rhythms Alumni Quintet will perform, featuring Alex Blake, T.K. Blue, Chief Baba Neil Clarke, Ku-umba Frank Lacy, and Sharp Radway.
Tickets to the concert are free. Up to two tickets per person may be reserved for this free concert in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, at kennedy-center.org, or by dialing 202-467-4600 or 800-444-1324.
In addition, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., 2024 NEA Jazz Master Willard Jenkins will join Howard University students for a discussion and Q&A titled “Music Careers, Beyond the Bandstand.” This will take place at Howard University’s Childers Recital Hall, 2455 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20059. The public is invited to observe and no registration is necessary (seating is first-come, first-served).
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., NPR will host a listening party in honor of the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters at their headquarters at 1111 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002. Hosted by NPR Music’s Felix Contreras, this event will include conversations with the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters, using music from their careers to tell the stories of their lives. This event is free and open to the public but tickets are required. Reserve your free tickets.