In 2025 we were pleased to share news of the inaugural class of Jazz Legacies Fellows — a distinction bestowed by the Mellon Foundation and the Jazz Foundation of America (JFA). Last year’s 20 honorees are now followed by 12 more in 2026. The names and brief bio lines below were provided by our JFA colleagues:
- Dee Alexander, 70, Vocals (Chicago, IL)
Community cornerstone and defining voice of Chicago jazz, from classic to the avant-garde - Kenny Barron, 82, Piano (Brooklyn, NY)
Paragon of keyboard elegance who framed solos of past legends and nurtured voices of future stars - Gary Bartz, 85, Saxophone (Oakland, CA)
Era-spanning saxophone guru and innovator of socially conscious musical concepts - William Cepeda, 65, Trombone (Loiza, PR)
World-renowned pioneer of “Afro-Rican jazz” fusing folkloric roots and global influences - Marilyn Crispell, 78, Piano (Woodstock, NY)
Avant-garde powerhouse who combines elemental force with tender lyricism - Donald Harrison, 65, Saxophone (New Orleans, LA)
Big Chief and culture bearer of New Orleans jazz, and architect of “Nouveau Swing” - Oliver Lake, 83, Alto Saxophone and Flute (Montclair, NJ)
Black Artists Group and World Saxophone Quartet co-founder and interdisciplinary trailblazer - Bennie Maupin, 84, Multi-Reeds (Los Angeles, CA)
Multi-reed marvel who catalyzed cutting-edge jazz hybrids in iconic bands of his day - Charles McPherson, 85, Saxophone (San Diego, CA)
Bebop torchbearer with a direct connection to the bedrock of modern jazz - Archie Shepp, 88, Saxophone (Amherst, MA)
“Fire Music” forebear and academic pioneer who fearlessly chronicled the Black experience - Mary Stallings, 86, Vocals (San Francisco, CA)
Preeminent jazz storyteller who recaptured her early glory and then surpassed it - Buster Williams, 83, Bass (Camden, NJ)
Universally lauded giant of his instrument and lifelong spiritual seeker
“Now in its second cycle,” reads JFA’s announcement, “the fellowship continues to honor artists not only for their historical impact, but for their ongoing creative vitality and leadership. The 2026 fellows were selected by a distinguished panel of artists, scholars and jazz professionals including: James Carter, Kris Davis, Kate Dumbleton, Stefon Harris, Willie Jones III, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Samora Pinderhughes, Rio Sakairi, Magdelys Savigne and Amina Scott.
The Jazz Legacies Fellowship is a $35 million initiative in total, with $15 million set aside for the unrestricted individual grants in the amount of $100,000 per artist. The fellowships also provide “access to tailored professional and personal resources, including performance and master class opportunities, production support and legal and financial counsel, as needed.”
Reached for comment, Mary Stallings replied: “I am so grateful to the Jazz Foundation, the Mellon Foundation and everyone involved with the fellowship. I’m deeply inspired by this honor that has been bestowed upon me and blessed to be among all of my peers who have given their life and their love and their hearts to this music. It is especially meaningful at this moment in my life. I’m just loving it and so appreciative.”
Buster Williams concurred: “It means so much to all of us who insist on playing this music, regardless of the trials and tribulations that we have to go through to do it. Many of my friends have received this award, and of course I was hoping that one day, I’d be so honored. But at the same time, there was no way to prepare for its actualization. It’s a great encouragement for me to try and live up to something that I intend to deserve, before I die. So my efforts to deserve what has been given to me with this fellowship will be accelerated to give back to others what I have received.”
Charles McPherson added: “I would like to thank everyone involved. It is helpful in so many ways. It really meets every nuance of humanity, you know? It has so much dimension and thoughtfulness to address not only the artistic aspect of things but the human needs. That’s covering a lot of bases. It’s so thoughtful and complete. There are no words. That’s all I can say. And thank you.” JT