Next Jazz Legacy, an organization deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz mentorship, has reimagined this heritage with an emphasis on gender justice. Rallying the luminaries of the jazz world, they aim to confront and dismantle the hurdles of sexism, socio-economic barriers, and inequities within the sphere.
This groundbreaking initiative not only upholds the invaluable educational traditions of jazz but also takes bold strides in addressing gender disparities. It equips budding jazz talents with the acumen to navigate the modern music realm.
Under the leadership of GRAMMY laureate Terri Lyne Carrington, who also established the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, and Vanessa Reed, the President & CEO of New Music USA, Next Jazz Legacy collaborates with jazz legends. Their collective vision? To empower young women and nonbinary artists who’ve historically encountered roadblocks in forwarding their musical journey.
On August 31, 2023, Next Jazz Legacy will embark on its third year, inviting applications for its transformative mentorship program.
The obstacles that women and nonbinary artists grapple with in the music industry aren’t anecdotal. A recent study by USC Annenberg, in its 6th annual report titled “Inclusion In Music,” elucidates the staggering imbalances across gender and race in industry roles. A mere 2% of music producers are women, and a scanty 0.7% are women of color. Even acclaimed institutions like the GRAMMYs aren’t immune, with less than 14% of their nominees being women.
Learn more information about the application and program here.
