WASHINGTON (April 1, 2019) – The 2019 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim will conduct a master class with Howard University student musicians Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 12:40–1:40 p.m. inside Howard University’s Childers Recital Hall, located at 2455 6^thStreet NW, Washington, D.C.

Ibrahim is recipient of a 2019 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz. A pianist and composer, Ibrahim combines the rhythmic influences of South Africa with the improvisation of jazz to create his spiritually enriching music, whether performing solo, with a trio, a full band, or an orchestra. This blend of the traditional and the modern is reflected in his distinctive style, harmonies, and musical vocabulary. 

The public is invited to observe and no registration is necessary. Seating is first-come, first-served. All interested media outlets must RSVP to Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, via Ramzey.smith@howard.edu, by Monday, April 15, 2019.

The master class is a part of the 2019 NEA Jazz Masters events, which also includes a listening party with the 2019 NEA Jazz Masters at NPR Headquarters on Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. and the 2019 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Monday, April 15, 2019 at 8 p.m. Full details about the lineup of events are available here.

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About NEA Jazz Masters

Since 1982, the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded 153 fellowships to great figures in jazz, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Dianne Reeves, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, and George Wein. The full list of NEA Jazz Masters and materials about them—including videos, podcasts, NEA Jazz Moments audio clips, and more—are available at arts.gov. 

Recipients are nominated by the public, including the jazz community. Nominations are judged by a panel of experts, including previously-named NEA Jazz Masters. The panel’s recommendations are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts, which sends its recommendations to the Arts Endowment chairman, who makes the final decision. The agency encourages nominations of a broad range of men and women who have been significant to the field of jazz, through vocals, instrumental performance, creative leadership, and education. NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships are up to $25,000 and can be received once in a lifetime. Visit arts.gov/honors/jazz for more information and to submit a nomination.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more about NEA.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.