FREE! Join us for a concert honoring the esteemed recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, our nation’s highest honor in jazz. The 2025 recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship are Marshall Allen, Marilyn Crispell, Chucho Valdés, and recipient of the 2025 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy Gary Giddins.

Hosted by Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran, the concert will feature performances by, and in honor of, the 2025 NEA Jazz Masters:

Marshall Allen will lead the Sun Ra Arkestra; Marilyn Crispell will perform with 2020 NEA Jazz Master and bassist Reggie Workman; Chucho Valdés will join his ensemble Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet featuring Horacio Hernandez, José A. Gola, and Roberto Jr. Vizcaino Torre; and more. In honor of Gary Giddins, David Murray will perform alongside Russell Carter, Emma Dayhuff, and Marta Sánchez.

Each year since 1982, the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship has elevated to its ranks a select number of living legends who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. For more information, read a brief history of the program.