NEXT JAZZ LEGACY FORMS ITS BAND

New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz & Gender Justice have selected the inaugural class of finalists for Next Jazz Legacy, their initiative to increase opportunities for female, non-binary and transgender musicians.

The participants, selected through an advisory board featuring Terri Lyne Carrington, will receive a $10k grant, a one-year performance apprenticeship, a two-track mentorship program pairing them with artistic and business professionals, peer-learning cohorts led by Carrington, online learning courses from Berklee and a variety of promotional opportunities, including live showcases. They will also be playing jazz festivals and shows through the end of the year.

The finalists and their mentors are:

Anastassiya Petrova (piano/organ); apprenticeship with Chris Potter, creative mentorship with Kris Davis

Ivanna Cuesta (drums); apprenticeship with Esperanza Spalding, creative mentorship with Wayne Shorter

Lexi Hamner (voice/trombone); apprenticeship with Tia Fuller, creative mentorship with Bobby McFerrin

Keyanna Hutchinson (guitar); apprenticeship with Lizz Wright, creative mentorship with Brandon Ross

Alexis Lombre (piano); apprenticeship with Marcus Miller, creative mentorship with Georgia Anne Muldrow

Loke Risberg (guitar); apprenticeship with Linda May Han Oh, creative mentorship with Bill Stewart

Kalia Vandever (trombone); apprenticeship with Mary Halvorson, creative mentorship with Jen Shyu