Airing on KUVO! 2021 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert

America’s preeminent award in the jazz arts comes from the National Endowment for the Arts. Once you’ve been named a “Jazz Master,” other awards seem to be a formality. Terri Lyne Carrington, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Henry Threadgill and Phil Schaap will be honored with a virtual tribute concert. Tune in to KUVO JAZZ on Thursday, April 22 at 6 pm when we’ll be airing this special event as we continue our Jazz Appreciation Month celebration.

Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington has performed and produced music for four decades, and in the last 15 years has committed her efforts to empowering the next generation. Percussionist and educator Albert “Tootie” Heath joins his brothers bassist Percy Heath (2002) and reedman Jimmy Heath (2003) as a Jazz Master with more than 100 recordings to his name.  Saxophonist – composer Henry Threadgill has become synonymous with avant-garde jazz, one of only jazz artists to also possess a Pulitzer Prize. Phil Schaap, who receives the 2021 A.B. Spellman Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy, is a 50-year radio host and has won six Grammy Awards for his liner notes, audio engineering and production.

Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff presents opening remarks, and Miguel Zenón directs the music, with special guest performers including Jazz Masters Dianne Reeves (2018) and Wynton and Jason Marsalis (2011), as well as Avishai Cohen, Joe Lovano, Linda May Han Oh, Lizz Wright and more.  SFJazz is co-producing the event.

NEA Jazz Masters Fellows are living artists nominated by the public annually and judged by an advisory panel of jazz experts.  The one-time fellowships are up to $25,000.

Don’t miss it, Thursday, April 22, at 6 pm on KUVO JAZZ.

Discover more about the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.

2021 NEA Jazz Masters Bio Photo Credits: 

Terri Lyne Carrington (photo by Delphine Diallo)

Albert “Tootie” Heath (photo by Ghylian Bell & Mychal Watts)

Henry Threadgill (photo by Nhumi Threadgill)

Phil Schaap (photo courtesy of Jazz at Lincoln Center)