Doris Duke Foundation awards jazz musicians - DDCF and Latin America

Yesterday, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation announced the 

recipients of its 2014 Performing Artist Awards, including 13 

jazz and improvising musicians, who will receive at least $1.7 

million in unrestricted grants in total. 

The awards were given in two tiers. Six jazz musicians were 

given Doris Duke Artist Awards, worth an unrestricted grant of

$225,000 over a 3-5 year period, with the potential to earn an 

additional $50,000. They include alto saxophonist Oliver Lake, 

alto saxophonist Steve Lehman, multiple woodwind player Roscoe 

Mitchell, harpist Zeena Parkins, pianist Craig Taborn and 

pianist Randy Weston. 

Randy Weston and His African Rythms in Zaragoza 2011 - Spain

Seven jazz musicians were given Doris Duke Impact Awards, worth 

an unrestricted grant of $60,000 over 2-3 years plus the 

potential of an extra $20,000. They include pianist Muhal Richard

Abrams, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, alto saxophonist Steve 

Coleman, guitarist Ben Monder, pianist Aruán Ortiz, alto saxophonist Matana Roberts and 
vocalist Jen Shyu.

All Doris Duke Artist Award winners have won at least three 

designated national grants or fellowships over the past 10 years, 

including one which was funded by the Doris Duke Charitable 

Foundation. Artist Awards are given to what the organization

calls "generative" artists — those who often create new works — and 

as such, highly favoring jazz performers who are also noted composers. 

By comparison, the recipients of Doris Duke Impact Awards were 

nominated by previous winners of Doris Duke Artist Awards. They may be 

either "generative" or "interpretive" artists, meaning that musicians 

who are not necessarily known as composers may receive the prize.

Doris Duke Charity Foundation and Latin America

Jazz musicians from Latin America, such as Edward Simon (Venezuela) and 

Jovino Santos Neto (Brazil), both pianists, composers, have been 

supported by Doris Duke Foundation Charity of different forms: 

scholarships, production works, projects, awards, etc.

Aruan Ortiz

Now is the time to Aruan Ortiz. Within the select group of award-winning 

jazz musicians highlights the young Cuban Aruan Ortiz, who has shown the 

talent and ability that leads to rapid development. Today is one of the 

leading figures of contemporary jazz and latin jazz.

Ortiz We know from his work on "The Cumbanchero" with flutist Mark 

Weinstein, where besides running the piano arrangements performed that 

earned him accolades.