NEA Jazz Masters: Amina Claudine Myers (2024)

From her early beginnings as a member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), Amina Claudine Myers has gained acclaim as a skilled composer for voice and instruments, often displaying her gospel influences. Her move to New York City in the 1970s led her to prioritize her compositional work and to take on theatrical production projects.
The NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship is the highest honor that our nation bestows upon jazz musicians. Nominations are now open for the 2025 class of NEA Jazz Master. The NEA will honor musicians who represent a range of styles and instruments. In addition, one fellowship-the A. B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy-will be given to an individual who has made major contributions to the appreciation, knowledge, and advancement of the American jazz art form. Nominations are due October 31, 2024.
Visit the National Endowment for the Arts’ Jazz Masters Fellowships section to learn more about how to submit a nomination: www.arts.gov/h...

[@lilliegeorge6023]

I was so blessed to meet and speak with Amina Claudine Myers at last night's award ceremony at the Kennedy Center. She performed "African Blues" and it touched me so deeply that I had to go the ladies lounge and cry. In the corner, on the floor, holding myself. It brought up all the pain I have experienced in the last 4 months, from losing my daughter, to diffcultues at work, to stuggling to keep my other daughters in good health, to the frustration I've had for years with my own vocal career. It was also the song of all our African and African American mothers and it was beautiful and healing. It is a song that lives. It is about the living and the dead. It is a woman's cry; an African and an African-American woman's cry. It is about humanity; and she brought that mesage forth with power and delicacy at the same time which was like a bullet to my heart. I'm so glad that I got to tell her what her performance meant to me. I know that God put me there to hear that song and to speak to this woman. Thank you! It was good to be around so many muical geniuses last night that I am lucky enough to call friends. Ms. Myers, you are indeed a Jazz Master. Stay blessed.

[@souldoutmusic7206]

Beautiful tribute, thank you for sharing.