Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 9:30am-7:30pm
9:30am
Registration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium)
10:15 - 11:45am
Artists Make Technology (The Appel Room)
Presented with support from the Doris Duke Foundation and Mozilla Foundation, in collaboration with Jazz Congress, Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), Dance/USA, International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), and Under the Radar
Panelists will consider how performing artists shape technology as a tool that amplifies their unique expertise in presence, imagination and collaboration as part of their creative practice. The panel will open with a conversation between Sam Gill, the President and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation and Nabiha Syed, Executive Director of Mozilla Foundation.
Moderator: Maurine Knighton (Doris Duke Foundation)
Panelists: Guillermo E. Brown, Nicole Mitchell, Eduardo Vilaro (Ballet Hispánico)
10:30-11:45am Jukebox Jury (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) The longstanding and popular session returns with jazz music hosts and radio programmers weighing in, needle drop style, on the probability of airplay for upcoming releases.
Moderator: Brad Stone (soulandjazz.com)
Panelists: Cheryl K. Symister-Masterson (Jazz/Fluxus); Sebastien Vidal (TSFJAZZ); Leo Sidran (The Third Story); Jae Sinnett (WHRV); Rachel Smith (WKCR)
10:30-11:45am
The Artist as Builder: Designing and Modifying Instruments in Jazz (E.J. Noble Studio) From homemade percussion to custom-built hybrids, musicians have long expanded the sonic palette of the music by modifying and creating their own instruments. This panel brings together instrument builders and improvisers to explore the process of instrument-making. Panelists will discuss historical precedents—from early innovators who modified their horns to contemporary artists integrating electronics, found objects, and global craft traditions. Through conversation, attendees will learn how designing unique instruments can unlock new textures, inspire improvisational breakthroughs, and reflect personal and cultural identity.
Moderator: David Freeman (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Panelists: Mamie Minch; Scott Robinson; Kenny Wollesen
11:45-1:15pm Lunch Break
11:45-1:15pm
Lunch Time Listening Session: Yusef Lateef - Blues & Romance (Armstrong Classroom)
Yusef Lateef's music will be shared by his student, Charlie Apicella, with an emphasis on his YAL Records releases from the mid-1990s. Selections include the ground breaking c. 1980 CDs, Yusef Lateef in Nigeria and Hikima, on which he composed for his flutes and saxophone in collaboration with a traditional Nigerian drum orchestra--listening which might be a new experience for many of Lateef's fans. Charlie will share some brief anecdotes about Dr. Lateef's composition methods, and will reserve some time for audience Q&A. Moderator: Charlie Apicella (Yusef Lateef Estate and Blues Alive: ancestral voices of the blues)
1:15-1:45pm
The 2025 Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award (The Appel Room) will be given to magazine publisher/editor, longtime jazz journalist, and founder and producer of the Jazz Connect Conference, Lee Mergner. The award will be presented to Mr. Mergner by the Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer, arranger and educator, Christian McBride.
2:45-4:00pm Bass Lines: Ron Carter and Todd Barkan in Conversation (The Appel Room)
Join us for an intimate conversation as curator and producer Todd Barkan sits down with iconic bassist and composer Ron Carter. Together, they’ll explore Carter’s extraordinary career—from his groundbreaking recordings to the artistic values that have shaped his unmistakable sound. This rare dialogue offers audiences a personal window into the life, legacy, and enduring influence of one of jazz’s most recorded and revered musicians.
Participants: Ron Carter and Todd Barkan (Keystone Korner Baltimore)
2:45-4:00pm Jazz Now: Evolving the Tradition? (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) As we move deeper into the 2020s, jazz is undergoing a dynamic transformation—one that challenges traditional boundaries and redefines what the art form can be. From the emergence of hybrid sounds influenced by hip-hop, gospel, R&B, and indie rock to the growing presence of electronic and experimental approaches, today’s musicians are expanding the vocabulary of jazz while reaching new audiences. This roundtable conversation will explore how jazz can remain a vital part of contemporary cultural conversations by embracing innovation, inclusivity, and cross-genre collaboration. This conversation asks a central question: What is jazz in 2026—and how can we ensure it continues to inspire new audiences and the next generation? Panelists: Angelika Beener (Milestones podcast); Terri Lyne Carrington; Caroline Davis; Keyon Harrold; Logan Richardson
2:45-4:00pm Ask Us Anything! (Dizzy’s Club) A panel of jazz industry professionals share their knowledge and experience in a free-wheeling Q&A session, in which the audience asks questions about everything from publicity and promotion to booking and record production.
Moderator: Sunny Sumter (DC Jazz Festival) Panelists: John Bishop (Origin Records); Gail Boyd (Gail Boyd Management); Sydney Hill (Red Light Management); Brett Loeb (Missing Piece Group)
2:45-4:00pm
It's Complicated: Presenting Jazz and Education in Cuba (E.J. Noble Studio)
A lively panel discussion covering the challenges and opportunities, as well as rewards, around presenting jazz, education and cultural activities in Cuba
Moderator: Anna Sala (XPORTA)
Panelists: Marta Deus (Jazz Emprende); Shabnam Samoohi (Cultural Island Travel); Eric D. Wright (Horns To Havana/Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater)
4:15-5:30pm Jazz Legacies Fellowship: A Conversation (The Appel Room) In conversation with five fellows from the inaugural class of Jazz Legacies Fellowship, launched by the Mellon Foundation in partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America in 2025. Moderator: Willard Jenkins (DC Jazz Festival) Panelists: Bertha Hope; Carmen Lundy; Amina Claudine Myers; Herlin Riley; Reggie Workman
4:15-5:30pm Midwest Jazz Collective: Building Tours Through Strategic Routing and Collaboration (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) Nearly 20 clubs and presenters across the Midwest are reshaping the touring landscape with a shared commitment to collaboration. By optimizing routing and building regional awareness, this model expands the reach and appreciation for jazz — championing the intimate club experience in both metro and sometimes overlooked markets while fostering educational outreach along the way. The Midwest Jazz Collective (MJC) seeks to bring joy and value to artists, industry, and audiences alike — sharing testament to what’s possible when cooperation leads the way.
Moderator: Gene Dobbs Bradford (Signature Cruise Experiences) Panelists: David Allee (The Jazz Kitchen); Benny Benack III; Kyle Knoke (Jazz Coterie); Brent Turney (UW-Stevens Point)
4:15-5:30pm Funding your Future: Grant Writing Cheat Codes for Artists (E.J. Noble Studio) Whether you’re an artist looking to fund your next tour or an educator preparing students for sustainable careers, this is your cheat code to creative funding. This fast-paced guide breaks down city, state, federal, and foundation grants, giving artists and educators practical strategies to align with funder priorities and avoid common mistakes. Whether you're building a program, mentoring future professionals, or funding your own creative vision, this is your cheat code to finding and winning the right grant. Presenter: Drew Tucker (Jazz Road/South Arts)
5:30-7:30pm
Cocktail Party and Celebration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium)
This evening celebration provides an opportunity for attendees to network and enjoy time together on the opening night of the conference.
Thursday, January 8, 2026, 9:30am-5:15pm
9:30am
Registration (Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium)
10:30-11:45am Women in Rhythm (Dizzy's Club)
Artists come together to explore rhythm as sound, movement, culture, and power. Together, the panel celebrates rhythmic innovation while examining how women shape—and define—the rhythms that move the world.
Moderator: Melvis Santa
Panelists: Terri Lyne Carrington; Michela Marino Lerman; Brenda Navarrete
10:30-11:45am Stronger Together: Increasing Understanding and Collaboration between Europe and the United States (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio)
Building on the important conversation that began at last year’s Jazz Congress, this panel examines the powerful impact of trans-Atlantic collaboration in a moment when global polarization threatens cultural exchange. Jazz presenters, organizers, and promoters in both the U.S. and Europe play a critical role in sustaining these artistic bridges, ensuring that musicians on both sides of the ocean can develop and thrive internationally. Bringing together seasoned professionals from across the Atlantic, the discussion will explore shared responsibilities, identify the challenges facing cross-border artistic mobility, and offer concrete strategies for strengthening and expanding these essential connections moving forward. Moderator: Ludovico Granvassu (Mondo Jazz) Panelists: Piotr Turkiewicz (Europe Jazz Network); Amélie Salembier (Molpe Music); Ashley Capps (Big Ears); Katherine McVicker (Music Works International)
10:30-11:45 am
Exploring the Value of Jazz Archives (E.J. Noble Studio)
This panel brings together experts to explore how musicians, researchers, educators, and arts presenters can effectively access and use archival materials. From recordings and manuscripts to photographs, oral histories, and personal papers, these collections offer essential insights that inform performance, scholarship, and creative work. Panelists will demystify how to navigate major archives, what resources are available (on-site and digital), and how artists can preserve their own legacies for future generations. Whether you’re seeking historical context, preparing a project, or building new work inspired by the past, this session provides practical guidance for making the most of the world’s premier jazz archives.
Moderator: Loren Schoenberg (National Jazz Museum in Harlem)
Panelists: Etienne Charles; David Demsey (Living Jazz Archive); Claudia Morales (Library of Congress); Patti Williams (The Smithsonian)
11:45am-12:45pm
Lunch Time Listening Session: Music of Melba Liston - A Centennial Appreciation (Armstrong Classroom)
Celebrate the 100th birthday of trailblazing trombonist, composer, and arranger Melba Liston with an immersive listening session honoring her profound legacy. From her influential collaborations with Randy Weston and Dizzy Gillespie to her barrier-breaking orchestrations across jazz and beyond, Liston’s brilliance shaped the sound of modern music. Join us as we explore recordings, arrangements, and the enduring artistry of a woman whose voice transformed the landscape of jazz.
Moderator: Jazz at Lincoln Center Education Department
1:00-2:15pm Jazz and Spotify: How Streaming is Reshaping Jazz for Listeners and Artists Alike (The Appel Room) How are streaming services like Spotify altering the shape of jazz to come? Liz Pelly is the author of the national bestseller Mood Machine, a critical investigation into Spotify that examines both sides of what the company calls its two-sided marketplace: the listeners who pay with their dollars and data, and the musicians who provide the material powering it all. This panel unpacks Pelly's findings to explore how artists and audiences can build a sustainable future. Joining Pelly is Joey La Neve DeFrancesco, co-founder of United Musicians and Allied Workers, which reintroduced the Living Wage for Musicians Act to Congress in Fall 2025; and bassist, improviser-composer, organizer, and writer-researcher Luke Stewart. Moderator: Katie Simon (NPR) Panelists: Liz Pelly (Author of Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist); Joey La Neve DeFrancesco (Co-founder of United Musicians and Allied Workers); Luke Stewart
1:00-2:15pm Mentoring for Succession (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) In recent years, many jazz organizations have had to transition from longtime founders or leaders to a successive generation. The passing of the torch in the jazz community can be a difficult process fraught with conflict and disruption. A new generation of leaders talk about the importance of mentoring for an effective transfer of power and responsibility. Moderator: John Gilbreath (Earshot Jazz) Panelists: Chanel Enriquez (Kuumbwa Jazz Center); Alberto Ibarrondo (Vitoria Jazz Festival); Alycia Mack (International Music Network)
1:00-2:15pm The Future of Public Radio (E.J. Noble Studio) NPR, as well as both member and non-member public radio stations, have traditionally been significant supporters of jazz, locally and nationally. With so many drastic cuts in Federal funding, those stations are facing unprecedented fiscal challenges. Leaders in public radio discuss their strategies for staying strong in the face of economic uncertainty. Moderator: Scott Hanley (WZUM/Pittsburgh Public Media) Panelists: Bill Johnson (WRTI); Marta McLellan Ross (NPR); Ken Poston (KSDS); Steve Williams (WBGO)
1:00-2:15pm
Navigating the Jazz Scene as Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians (Dizzy’s Club) Presented with support from Next Jazz Legacy of New Music USA
This vital and timely discussion brings together a distinguished group of blind and visually impaired jazz musicians to share their lived experiences navigating the jazz industry. As artists who have thrived both as side people and bandleaders, their insights will highlight the unique challenges, creative solutions, and powerful contributions of musicians with visual impairments.
Moderator: Ciara Moser
Panelists: Ivan Dalia; Justin Kauflin; Matthew Whitaker
2:30-3:45pm
(Still) Kind of Blue: The Legacy and Impact of Miles Davis at 100 (The Appel Room)
Few figures in modern music have reshaped the landscape as profoundly—or as repeatedly—as Miles Davis. This panel brings together musicians, cultural critics, and industry veterans to explore the enduring legacy of the visionary trumpeter whose restless creativity transformed jazz across multiple eras. From the cool restraint of Birth of the Cool to the modal revolution of Kind of Blue, the electric landscapes of Bitches Brew, and the innovative fusion of jazz with funk, rock, and hip-hop aesthetics, Davis consistently challenged conventions and expanded the possibilities of sound. Our discussion will examine his influence not only on jazz but also on broader cultural and artistic movements. How did Davis’s approach to collaboration and constant reinvention shape generations of creatives? In what ways did his role as a leader predict or reflect social shifts in America? How does his legacy resonate with contemporary artists working across genres today?
Moderator: Ashley Kahn
Panelists: Terence Blanchard; Richard Brody (The New Yorker); Lauren Du Graf; Marcus Miller; Vince Wilburn, Jr.
2:30-3:45pm The Changing Media Landscape (Varis Leichtman Recording Studio) With so many media outlets either shrinking or shutting down, jazz artists and organizations must adapt to getting coverage for their recordings and shows. Media professionals and digital creators from various segments of the jazz community discuss strategies for navigating a world with limited opportunities for publicity and promotion. Moderator: Larry Blumenfeld (Wall Street Journal/Chamber Music America) Panelists: Mike Flynn (Jazzwise); Lydia Liebman (Lydia Liebman PR); Marcus J. Moore (New York Times); Suraya Mohamed (NPR Music)
2:30-3:45pm
Touring Africa: Opportunities, Realities, and Best Practices (E.J. Noble Studio)
Touring across the African continent offers extraordinary artistic opportunities—but it also requires unique knowledge, cultural awareness, financial support, and logistical preparation. This panel brings together artists, presenters, and agents with hands-on experience across regions including West, East, and South Africa. Speakers will break down the essentials: navigating visas and border logistics, working with local partners, securing backline and transportation, budgeting for variable infrastructure, and understanding regional cultural contexts. Attendees will gain practical guidance, real-world insights, and a clearer roadmap for building successful, sustainable tours throughout one of the most diverse and vibrant musical landscapes in the world.
Moderator: TBD
Panelists: Bernard Gama Ayisa (Ghana Jazz Foundation); Dan Israel (Jazz at Lincoln Center); Stefanie Schumann (Delicious Tunes)
4:00-5:15pm
You'll Hear It: Live from the Appel Room
Listen to the greatest albums of all time – the way jazz musicians do. On each episode of the You'll Hear It podcast, Open Studio's Peter Martin and Adam Maness unpack one remarkable album to reveal all the qualities that make music amazing, but that we sometimes miss. Using their keyboards they break it down track-by-track and chord-by-chord. From Aja, to Thriller, to Innervisions, Maiden Voyage and Kind of Blue, Adam and Peter explore their favorite albums in this weekly series. Join us for a special LIVE episode, and you’ll never hear music the same way again.
Particpants: Adam Maness; Peter Martin
4:00-5:15pm
Placing Jazz in Film, Television and Commercials (E.J. Noble Studio)
One significant revenue stream for jazz artists can be the placement of their music in film, television and advertising. Experts in that field explain the various strategies and challenges of having your music used in those areas.
Moderator: Mike Todd (ASCAP)