Due to a death in the JJA family, news of the results of the 2026 JJA Jazz Awards polling has been delayed. Winners will be announced, we hope, by June 1.
However, JJA Jazz Heroes across the U.S. (and in London!) have received their certificates at happy occasions, and more are scheduled. Presentations have been made, usually by JJA members and/or past Jazz Heroes in Akron, Atlanta, Austin, Boston,



From top l: Rayna Mathis & Lisa Hagen Glynn (photo by Jim Levitt), Seattle; Kirk Silsbee & Henry Franklin (photo by Chuck Koton), L.A.; Isabel Marquez & Fiona Ross, London
Chicago, Columbus (OH), East St. Louis, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Northampton (MA), Portland (OR), Rochester, Sacramento, San Juan (PR), South Bend (IN), St. Clair Shores (MI), Toledo and Washington D.C.
With many more to come!


Dave Robinson with his brother Scott and Willard Jenkins at Blues Alley, Washington, DC; Howard Mandel and Maggie Brown in Chicago (photo by Alan Frohlichstein)
Drew Tucker of South Arts, presenting to Atlanta Jazz Hero Sam Skelton and speaking of the JJA












