Terry Gibbs Celebrates His 100th Birthday—but Why Isn't He a NEA Jazz Master?
When I say that Terry Gibbs is a jazz master, I need to add that he is not an official ‘Jazz Master’ as determined by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Of course, he deserves that honor. (I share a few of his credentials below.) But he’s never received it—even as he has watched, year after year, so many friends and former colleagues get the nod.
For close to 15 years now people have sent their submissions to give my father Terry Gibbs a more-than-deserved NEA lifetime achievement award. Some of the biggest names in jazz, as well as previous NEA winners, have also sent in letters…..
Please tell me how can a 100-year pioneer of the bebop era, as well as the vibraphone, be looked over year after year?….Many people will try again next year to submit him, but he’s 100 years of age, and maybe they’ll end up 20 years too late.
It's still a mystery to me why Terry hasn't been named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Fellow when virtually every other living jazz legend has been awarded this honor. Maybe next year.
