It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of percussionist Jimmy Cobb, recipient of a 2009 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz, recipient of a 2009 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in jazz.

It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of jazz musician and educator Ellis Marsalis, Jr., who in 2011 was honored as an NEA Jazz Master, along with his sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason.