Jazz Foundation of America
What Makes “Body and Soul” a Classic? Three Jazz Legends Break It Down
16 Jazz Legends Met in New York. Here’s What We Learned From Them.
2025 saw the launch of Jazz Legacies, a fellowship that recognizes seasoned artists for their contributions to shaping the jazz landscape in America.
When 16 of the 20 gathered in New York City, it was both an inauguration and a historic reunion of an extraordinary group of artists who have been making music together for generations.
At an average age of 80, they represent the pinnacle of creative achievement, technical mastery, and boundary-pushing expression. Many of them told us they still work on their craft everyday.
We asked them to share their lessons in life and music. Here’s what we learned.
Back row (L to R): George Cables, Reggie Workman, Roger Humphries, Michele Rosewoman, Carmen Lundy, Akua Dixon, Dom Salvador, Shannon Powell. Seated: Tom Harrell, Amina Claudine Myers, George Coleman, Roscoe Mitchell, Valerie Capers, Bertha Hope, Dizzy Reece, Johnny O’Neal.
What is one bit of advice that you would give to an aspiring musician?
Pianist
“Don’t think that you’ve gotten to a place and you’re finished: You’re never finished. This is a lifelong ambition, a lifelong experience.”
Pianist, singer
“Perfectionism, is, to me, steady growth, and it’s endless. You can never feel you have arrived because music is bigger than a song.”
Trumpeter
“Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Get some soul. Get some soul! If you don’t have soul, it’s useless. A lot of bass players don’t play soul today. No guts.”
Bassist
“Think of your music as a language and a science. Come to New York because this is where the energy is right now. Don’t stop practicing! And understand that the more you learn, the more you don’t know.”
Pianist
“Learning to play and working to play well is hard work…you really have to keep on it. There are very discouraging days. And, then there are wonderful times, too.”
Pianist
“Take seriously the music. Take [care of] it like your parents.”
What lessons has your career as a musician taught you?
Trumpeter
“I realized through music that, for me, it gives a spiritual awareness that I didn’t have before I embarked on a musical career.”
Drummer
“It taught me how to be a leader and also to be able to play with other people and listen to their conversation—so I could add mine with the drums to see what they’re saying.”
What are your goals at this stage of your life and your career?
Singer
“I’m just in the throes of recording another project. ... I’ve been very disciplined, daily—when I’m not on the road—in the studio, working.”
Pianist
“Number one, stay relevant. I’ve [also] been able to kind of look back at some of the things that I’ve done, written, played, and play them again in a different way or take another look.”
Cellist
“At this point in my career, it’s helpful to have the award to help me document all of the music that I have worked on and accomplished during my lifetime.”
Drummer
“I had a stroke and a heart attack last year. That gave me another opportunity to see life in a whole ’nother way. If I continue to be blessed and continue to be fortunate enough to do what I’ve been doing all my life, that’s my goal.”
If you could talk to a younger version of yourself, what would you say?
Composer, pianist
“There’s really nothing I would say you should have done instead: I would thank myself for following my instincts that led me to living the life meant for me. What I now see as brave—I guess my feet were just walking the walk.”
Saxophonist
“When you keep yourself moving, you don’t have time to complain.”
Saxophonist
“Realize my accomplishments at that early age—I transcribed some music for Ray Charles when he came through Memphis when I had just been playing about a year.”
Pianist
“Don’t try to do what you think is popular. Let it come from your heart.”
See the moment the musicians were reunited
We caught up with the artists who couldn’t make the hang in New York City, to get their take on these questions.
Manty Ellis, 92, Guitarist
Whether you come out of our culture or not, you’re welcome here. You are welcome to contribute because [jazz] is supposed to be an American culture.
Billy Hart, 85, Drummer
I think of musicians and other artists as uplifting the thought process of people on this planet. I mean, what else is there to do?
Herlin Riley, 68, Drummer
At this point in my life, [it’s] trying to build a legacy and security for my family.
Julian Priester, 90, Trombonist
I’m 90 this year. Every day I lie to myself: I tell myself that I’m going to get through this day, I’m going to be creative, I’m going to pick up the horn as often as time allows, and prepare to perform in front of an audience, which means I have to practice. My aim is to be as creative, alert, and aware how I’m using the time.
Jazz Legacies supports seasoned and accomplished jazz artists aged 62 years and older. Selected through a nomination process, the next cohort will be announced in February 2026.
The 2025 Jazz Legacies Fellows were photographed in New York City in September 2025.
Photo: Sharif Hamza for Mellon Foundation
Set Design: Bette Adams
Video: Isaiah Suko
Interviews: Anthony Balas, Ryan Daar, Nadia Halim, and Colleen J. Ross
Last updated: December 23, 2025
Grant insight
Jazz Foundation of America, Inc.
To support the creation and administration of the Jazz Legacies Fellowship, The Jazz Foundation of America was awarded $15,000,000 in 2023 through Mellon’s Arts and Culture grantmaking area.
View grant detailsRelated
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