Mellon Foundation awards $1.25m to New Music USA’s Next Jazz Legacy programme, a collaboration with Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice

Presented by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, with support from Mellon Foundation, Next Jazz Legacy is accepting applications for the fourth cohort from 22 October to 12 November 2024.

This will see the continuation of Next Jazz Legacy (NJL) – a groundbreaking initiative designed Grammy winning drummer and NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington – and New Music USA efforts to expand opportunities for women and non-binary artists who have been historically underrepresented in jazz. The program invests in awardees through personalised, intergenerational apprenticeships, financial support, and a mission to inspire waves of lasting change. Next Jazz Legacy was launched in 2021 with major funding from the Mellon Foundation which has now confirmed support for another three-year cycle.

Carrington’s experience underpins the NJL program model, in collaboration with New Music USA President & CEO Vanessa Reed, who has spearheaded international gender equity programs in the UK and the US. This pioneering program centres customised apprenticeships that empower emerging artists to collaborate with seasoned artists and jazz elders who participate as band leaders, panellists and mentors. NJL’s vast network of mentors includes Patrice Rushen, Bobby McFerrin, Nicole Mitchell, esperanza spalding, Brandee Younger, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Sheila E and countless others, including the late Wayne Shorter.

Through one-on-one mentorship sessions, in-person networking opportunities at Next Jazz Legacy showcases and panel discussions, and partnerships with top cultural institutions and events, such as New York’s Winter Jazzfest (this year's cohort pictured above at the festival in January this year) and the Kennedy Center, NJL awardees benefit from a comprehensive support package that provides deep and lasting career impact. Each receives a $10,000 unrestricted grant, a one-year performance apprenticeship, a two-track mutual mentorship program pairing them with artistic and business professionals, peer-learning cohorts led by Carrington and other distinguished experts from the jazz industry, a 12-week instructor-led online course from Berklee Online, the premier institution for online music education for 21 years, and a variety of promotional opportunities, including personalized artist profile films, showcase performances, networking opportunities, and more.

Applications for the fourth cohort are open now, and will be accepted until 12 November 2024.

For more details and to apply visit newmusicusa.org/program/next-jazz-legacy