Eight emerging, improvising artists are paired with renowned bandleaders for apprenticeships through New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz & Gender Justice.
They might be fire-starter words in modern politics, but diversity, equity and inclusion form the impetus of the Next Jazz Legacy program.
Now in its fourth year, it’s led by New Music USA, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing new music in all forms, and the Berklee Institute of Jazz & Gender Justice. Funded by the nonprofit Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities, the program tackles gender and racial inequities in jazz through apprenticeship, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
“I have always felt that on-stage apprenticeship was highly beneficial in my own development,” says Next Jazz Legacy artistic director and Grammy Award-winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, “and am so happy that we can assist these incredible emerging musicians.”
For 2025, the Next Jazz Legacy selection committee chose Harlem-based trumpeter, bandleader, composer and educator Alexandra Ridout (paired with bandleader Melissa Aldana/creative mentor Marquis Hill); Connecticut-based vocalist, composer and educator April May Webb (Danilo Perez/Ledisi); Miami percussionist, vocalist and composer Brenda Navarette Guzman (Kassa Overall/Carrington); Oakland, California-based guitarist, composer and educator Chanelle Ignant (Meshell Ndegeocello/Matthew Stevens); and Brooklyn-based artists in upright bassist and composer Carmen Quill (Billy Hart/Becca Stevens); traditional Korean gayageum performer DoYeon Kim (Kris Davis/Mark Dresser); tap dance/foot percussionist and educator Melissa Almaguer (David Virelles/Susie Ibarra); and saxophonist and composer Nora Stanley (Tyshawn Sorey/Ellen Arkbro).
“As a woman tap dancer in this industry,” Almaguer says, “to be acknowledged and accepted as a musician in this program is reassuring and an honor. I’m looking forward to learning from all the resources that NJL provides, and to receive guidance from some of my biggest inspirations. I’m grateful for programs like this that are community-oriented. In this chaotic world, it’s important to have a safe space where you are supported and guided.”
For further information, visit newmusicusa.org or berklee.edu/jazz-gender-justice.
