Corey Harris Awarded MacArthur ‘Genius’ Grant

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The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has named roots musician Corey Harris one of the 24 recipients of its 2007 MacArthur Fellowships.

The award, also known as the “genius grant,” recognizes individuals from wide-ranging disciplines who show creativity, originality and a commitment to continued innovative work. The grant of $500,000 will be paid out over five years.

Harris has performed blues and reggae music all over the world. In 2003, he starred in Martin Scorsese’s segment of the PBS series “The Blues,” and he recently released Zion Crossroads (Telarc).

“I give thanks for this honor and look forward to sharing the fruits of this fellowship with my fellow human beings,” Harris said in a news release. “Let us conquer ignorance and negativity with music and culture.”



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    Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.

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    Lettuce, from left: Eric Coomes, Adam Deitch, Ryan Zoidis, Eric Bloom, Adam Smirnoff and Nigel Hall

  • New_Orleans_Trad_Jazz_Camp_Courtesy_New_Orleans_Trad_Jazz_Camp.jpg

    New Orleans Trad Jazz Camp

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    Blindfold Test proctor Ted Panken, left, with the Grammy-winning Nicole Zuraitis.


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