12 Visionary Artists Honored as Jazz Legacies Fellows

By DownBeat I Mar. 2, 2026

This year’s grant recipients, top row, from left: Dee Alexander, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, William Cepeda; center row, from left, Marilyn Crispell, Donald Harrison, Oliver Lake, Benny Maupin; bottom row, from left, Charles McPherson, Archie Shepp, Mary Stallings and Buster Williams.
(Photo: Courtesy of the Mellon Foundation)

The Mellon Foundation and the Jazz Foundation of America is honoring the second cohort of Jazz Legacies Fellows, 12 artists whose work has shaped and continues to impact the evolution of jazz. The 2026 fellows represent achievement across generations and styles, spanning avant-garde and free-jazz to hard-bop, fusion and vocal traditions.

Established in 2025 through a partnership funded by Mellon and implemented by JFA, the Jazz Legacies Fellowship was created to celebrate seasoned jazz musicians by awarding them an unrestricted grant of $100,000 along with access to tailored professional and personal resources, including performance and master class opportunities, production support and legal and financial counsel, as needed. Now in its second cycle, the fellowship continues to honor artists not only for their historical impact, but for their ongoing creative vitality and leadership.

The 2026 Jazz Legacies Fellows are:

• Dee Alexander, 70, vocals (Chicago, IL)

A community cornerstone and defining voice in 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)

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.

The 2026 fellows were selected by a panel of artists, scholars and jazz professionals including James Carter, Kris Davis, Kate Dumbleton, Stefon Harris, Willie Jones III, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Samora Pinderhughes, Rio Saikari, Magdelys Savigne and Amina Scott.

Founded as the centerpiece of Mellon’s $35 million, multifaceted national initiative to support the cultural preservation of jazz, the Jazz Legacies Fellowship reflects the foundation’s long-term commitment to championing artists who have played pivotal roles in jazz and strengthening the art form’s broader ecosystem. It aims to foster intergenerational dialogue, honor lifelong artistic contributions and ensure the integrity of jazz’s multivocal historical record.

“Illuminating the power and possibilities of jazz throughout their many years as extraordinary artists, these 12 new fellows continue to inspire us with their ever-expanding visions and creative innovation,” said Elizabeth Alexander, president of the Mellon Foundation. “As we honor them and their leadership, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to the American performing arts, to continue expanding robust, holistic support for American artists and to join in lifting up jazz itself — a fundamentally American art form that celebrates and expresses freedom.”

To learn more about the Jazz Legacies Fellows and their work, CLICK HERE. DB