Jazz Heroes for 2026
Every April, the Jazz Journalists Association honors regional Jazz Heroes for Jazz Appreciation month. “Activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz” — members of jazz’s ‘A Team’ — are recognized by the JJA and in their communities throughout the U.S. The JJA is recognizing two Jazz Heroes from Southeastern Michigan for 2026: Ellen Rowe from Ann Arbor and Dr. Professor Leonard King from Detroit. Both working musicians contribute well above and beyond the call of musical duty in their life and community activism.
It is altogether appropriate to honor Ellen Rowe as Jazz Hero as she wraps up her tenure as the Chair of Conducting; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor / Earl V. 
Moore Collegiate Professor of Music at the University of Michigan. To experience Rowe conducting the U-M Jazz Ensemble, is to be in the presence of a woman who conducts and connects with both band members and the audience. She has the gift of creating relationships through the unspoken language of jazz. These relationships extend to her recordings and performances outside of the university. Of note are Rowe’s All About The Trio sessions at Kerrytown Concert House. From the piano, Rowe tells personal stories and impressions of legendary musicians and composers while illustrating unique aspects of the music. Her relationship with bassist Paul Keller and drummer Pete Siers enhances the intimacy and intrigue of each profiled artist. To listen to an Ellen Rowe recording is to be welcomed into her sphere of life, friendships, family, passions, memories, and distinctive piano technique. She shares willingly. She embodies the finest qualities of a leader, teacher and friend. Ellen Rowe is most deserving of a 2026 Jazz Journalist Association Jazz Hero Award.
Drummer, vocalist, band leader, producer, historian, and record label owner, Leonard King will now be recognized nationally for his contributions to music in Detroit since 1960 with his 2026 Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalists Association. A visit to his website links you to his record label, 
Uuquipleu Records and his extensive catalogue of Detroit recordings covering rock, soul, R&B, blues and jazz from the 1960s to the present. Single-handedly Leonard King has documented the evolution of Detroit music talents through Uuquipleu Records. King also celebrates the talent of Motor City musicians with his nonprofit organization, The Lyman Woodard Organization for the Arts. The organization presents concerts at Fraternal Order of Eagles in St. Clair Shores featuring one of Leonard’s three working ensembles: The Proportioned Orchestra, Oopapada, and The Dr. Professor Leonard King Orchestra. Leonard can be heard with Alberto Nacif’s Cuban jazz septet, Aguankó, the Planet D Nonet and as a featured artist at the Detroit Institute of Arts Friday Nights Live series. King’s music swings hard in the moment, but Leonard wisely preserves treasures of the past. Photos, stories, anecdotes abound on his website which also has a link to his online autobiography the Visger Road Playground. King’s memory and his attention to detail in his life story illustrates the development of multiple Detroit musical styles and talents. For his generosity to the music community, creativity, admirable professional talents, and mentorship, Leonard King is a most worthy recipient of the 2026 Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero Award.
Ellen Rowe and Leonard King join the ranks of Detroit and Ann Arbor Jazz Heroes including Marcus Belgrave, Lars Bjorn, Jim Gallert, Marion Hayden, Ralphe Armstrong, Charles Latimer, Wendell Harrison, Oliver Ragsdale, Don Chisholm, W. Kim Heron, Gretchen Valade, Bill Foster, Rodney Whitaker, and more. Each will be honored in the community at special events in April, Jazz Appreciation Month. Follow the SEMJA jazz calendar for event details.