New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice are marking five years of Next Jazz Legacy, a music education and professional development program combining apprenticeships, mentorship and financial support for emerging jazz artists.
Under artistic director Terri Lyne Carrington, the initiative has supported 35 artists since its launch in 2021. The organizations report involvement from 110 bandleaders and mentors.
By the end of 2026, the program expects to have provided more than 400 mentoring sessions, 21 cohort learning sessions and 13 showcases. Participants work with creative and business mentors as part of a professional development structure that extends beyond a single performance.
The anniversary announcement focuses on the program’s development from 2021 through 2026 and its efforts to build a more inclusive jazz community.
Next Jazz Legacy combines opportunities to work with established musicians with learning among peers. Its apprenticeship and mentorship model addresses both artistic practice and the practical work of developing a professional career in jazz.
For more information, visit newmusicusa.org.