Who won the largest single gift ever dedicated to one Jazz artist?

While we look forlornly at the holiday bills as we head into  tax season, there is some joy this January.  The Grammy winning and nominated this year again Jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner is grateful and humble after winning the 300k Gilmore inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award. Donors have nearly flooded the Washington National Opera with funds after the opera company departed the Kennedy Center.  There are still many ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King and many other African American leaders as we head into Black History Month.  And oh my as George Takei would say, there’s a Star Trek version of a Mozart opera.