New NEA Jazz Masters: Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette, Sheila Jordan, Von Freeman, Jimmy Owens
Congrats to the class of 2012 NEA Jazz Masters: Bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Jack DeJohnette, singer Sheila Jordan, saxophonist Von Freeman, and trumpeter Jimmy Owens.
The latest inductees, each of whom will receive a $25,000 fellowship, were honored during ceremonies and a concert held Tuesday night at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center (the webcast of the event is here).
More good news: Despite reports that the 30-year-old program would be discontinued, the National Endowment for the Arts will continue awarding Jazz Masters fellowships in 2013 and — with luck — beyond.
For more information on the Jazz Masters program, which has honored 124 jazz greats since 1982, visit the official site. For videotaped interviews with the honorees, go here.
And for additional details on the near cancellation of the program, check out jazz critic Howard Mandel’s blog.
