Jazz Power Initiative honors arts champions at Syncopated Celebration 2026

By AI, Created 5:46 PM UTC, June 01, 2026, /AGP/ – Jazz Power Initiative held its Syncopated Celebration 2026 fundraiser in New York City, pairing student performers with jazz stars and recognizing arts, culture and community leaders. The event highlighted the nonprofit’s youth programs and its push to keep jazz accessible to young people.

Why it matters: - Jazz Power Initiative used the fundraiser to spotlight its mission of giving young people free access to jazz education and performance. - The event also raised the profile of community leaders, arts supporters and jazz advocates tied to Northern Manhattan and the wider jazz scene. - The night reinforced the organization’s message that jazz is part of young people’s inheritance and should remain accessible.

What happened: - Jazz Power Initiative staged Syncopated Celebration 2026 in New York City on June 1, 2026. - 11-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Christian McBride hosted the evening. - The Zah! youth ensemble, made up of teens and tweens, performed under vocal coach Antoinette Montague. - Zah! opened with Bud Powell’s “Strictly Confidential” during cocktail hour. - The ensemble later led off the award ceremony with Don Pullen’s “Listen to the People.” - McBride, Lakecia Benjamin, Alvester C. Garnett and Dr. Eli Yamin joined Zah! for “In Walked Bud” near the close of the night. - The evening ended with a jam session that moved from Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” to Mingus’ “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.”

The details: - Council Member Carmen De La Rosa received the Miranda Family Champion of Arts and Culture Award from Luis A. Miranda, Jr. - De La Rosa was recognized for leadership and support for Northern Manhattan’s arts and cultural landscape. - Steve A. Williams received the Rothman Family Syncopated Partnership Award from NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk. - Williams returned to WBGO as president and CEO after previously serving as the station’s director of programming. - WBGO had recently announced a partnership with Jazz Power Initiative. - Lakecia Benjamin received the JPI Changemaker Award from educator and tubist Bob Stewart. - Benjamin is a Washington Heights artist and faculty alumna of Jazz Power Initiative. - Benjamin’s new album, “We Dream,” is set for release on June 5. - Dr. Eli Yamin received the Jazz Journalists Association 2026 Manhattan Jazz Hero Award from journalist Ron Scott. - Tanya LeMelle chaired Syncopated Celebration 2026. - LeMelle said the event reflected the work of staff, volunteers, artists and supporters. - Dr. Eli Yamin said the event showed why jazz must be made easily accessible to youth. - Title sponsors included TD Bank and The Rothman Family Foundation.

Between the lines: - The award list showed Jazz Power Initiative linking youth arts training with established institutions, artists and civic leaders. - The presence of performers, journalists and radio executives suggested the organization is trying to build a broader jazz ecosystem around its students. - The fundraiser format doubled as both a community celebration and a statement about cultural preservation.

What’s next: - Jazz Power Initiative is directing supporters to its website for more information about programs and ways to help. - Benjamin’s album release on June 5 adds a near-term milestone tied to one of the evening’s honorees. - The organization appears poised to keep building partnerships around youth access, jazz education and community engagement.

The bottom line: - Syncopated Celebration 2026 was both a fundraiser and a showcase for Jazz Power Initiative’s model: free youth arts training, high-level mentorship and public recognition for the people keeping jazz alive.