The future of music, made here.

Jazz Faculty Billy Hart Named 2022 NEA Jazz Master

July 20, 2021

Billy Hart

The legendary jazz drummer was honored by the National Endowment for the Arts alongside Stanley Clarke, Cassandra Wilson, and Donald Harrison Jr., in the 40th anniversary year of the award.

Legendary jazz drummer and NEC jazz faculty member Billy Hart has been named a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master, alongside other honorees Stanley Clarke, Cassandra Wilson, and Donald Harrison Jr. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the NEA Jazz Masters honor, which is the highest award that can be given to jazz musicians by the US government.

In addition to receiving a $25,000 award, Hart and all of the recipients will be honored in a concert on Thursday, March 31, 2022, held in collaboration with and produced by SFJAZZ.

Ann Eilers, acting chairman for the NEA, said:

“Jazz continues to play a significant role in American culture thanks to the dedication and artistry of individuals such as these and we look forward to working with SFJAZZ on a concert that will share their music and stories with a wide audience next spring.”

Read More from the National Endowment for the Arts

recent news
Joshua Brown

March 18, 2025

New England Conservatory Applauds 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant Recipients

Read More
Tamara Acosta

March 14, 2025

NEC Alumna Tamara Acosta ’92 MM Co-Produces Grammy-Winning Album of Songs by Florence Price

Read More
Caleb Quillen

March 13, 2025

NEC Alumnus Caleb Quillen ’13 Appointed Principal Double-Bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra 

Read More
  • Joshua Brown

    March 18, 2025

    New England Conservatory Applauds 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant Recipients

  • Tamara Acosta

    March 14, 2025

    NEC Alumna Tamara Acosta ’92 MM Co-Produces Grammy-Winning Album of Songs by Florence Price

  • Caleb Quillen

    March 13, 2025

    NEC Alumnus Caleb Quillen ’13 Appointed Principal Double-Bassist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra 

  • Tenor Anthony León ’21 MM, NEC Voice Department Chair Bradley Williams, and soprano Erica Petrocelli ’14, ’16 MM, ’18 AD

    March 13, 2025

    Two NEC Alumni Receive Award from LA Opera 

  • Mei-Ann Chen conducts the NEC Philharmonia in December 2022. Tom Kates Photography

    March 12, 2025

    NEC Honors Alumna and Trustee Mei-Ann Chen ’95, ’98 MM with Conservatory’s Third Annual Marylou Speaker Churchill Award

  • Performance and Analysis class

    March 10, 2025

    NEC’s Integrative Curriculum Advances a Holistic Approach to Education