The National Endowment for the Arts, in collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, will celebrate the 2024 NEA Jazz Masters at a series of public events culminating in a free tribute concert on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm ET. WBGO will broadcast the concert on April 21 at 6 pm.
The 2024 recipients—Gary Bartz, Terence Blanchard, Willard Jenkins, and Amina Claudine Myers—are the latest in a 40-plus year history of the National Endowment for the Arts honoring individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. 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.