[Dixielandjazz] 2012 NEA JAZZ MASTERS

[Stephen G Barbone]

The National Endowment for the Arts has named the 2012 Jazz Masters.  
See excerpt from their press release below: For a profile of each  
artist and their achievements and contributions to jazz, click on the  
link in the excerpt, and then click on the artists picture when the  
site comes up.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband


NEW YORK, NY, June 24, 2011 /Jazz NewsWire/ – The National Endowment  
for the Arts (NEA) today announced the recipients of the 2012 NEA Jazz  
Masters Award — the nation’s highest honor in jazz(http://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/jmCMS/JMintro.php?chooseyear=2012 
). The five recipients will receive a one-time award of $25,000 and be  
publicly honored at the annual awards ceremony and concert, produced  
by Jazz at Lincoln Center at its home, Frederick P. Rose Hall in New  
York City.

With this class, the NEA is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the  
NEA Jazz Masters Awards, which recognize outstanding musicians for  
their lifetime achievements and significant contributions to the  
development and performance of jazz.

The 2012 NEA Jazz Masters are:
Jack DeJohnette, Drummer, Keyboardist, Composer (born in Chicago, IL;  
lives in Willow, NY)
Von Freeman, Saxophonist (born in Chicago, IL; lives in Chicago, IL)
Charlie Haden, Bassist, Composer, Educator (born in Shenandoah, IA;  
lives in Agoura Hills, CA)
Sheila Jordan, Vocalist, Educator(born in Detroit, MI; lives in  
Middleburgh, NY and New York, NY)
*Jimmy Owens, Educator, Trumpeter, Flugelhorn Player, Composer,  
Arranger (born in Bronx, NY; lives in New York, NY)
*Jimmy Owens is the recipient of the 2012 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz  
Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy.

“These artists represent the highest level of artistic mastery and we  
are proud to recognize their achievements,” said NEA Chairman Rocco  
Landesman. “Through their contributions, we have been challenged,  
enlightened, and charmed, and we thank them for devoting their careers  
to expanding and supporting their art forms.”

“Jazz is considered by many as one of America’s greatest cultural  
gifts to the world,” said Wayne S. Brown, NEA Director of Music and  
Opera. “These artists are being recognized for their extraordinary  
contribution to advancing the art form and for serving as mentors for  
a new generation of young aspiring jazz musicians.”

Each member of the 2012 NEA Jazz Masters class is a distinguished  
artist whose significant lifetime contributions have helped to enrich  
jazz and further the growth of the art form: