Award-winning jazz bassist, composer, educator, and mentor Marion Hayden has been named the 2025 Kresge Eminent Artist, an esteemed honor considered metro Detroit's highest arts recognition. This annual award, accompanied by a $100,000 prize, highlights individuals who have significantly impacted the region’s cultural community throughout their careers.
At 68, Marion Hayden is the 17th recipient of this prestigious award, established in 2008 to honor artists whose lifetime achievements have contributed to Detroit's rich cultural landscape. As the third jazz musician to receive the award, Hayden joins the ranks of the legendary Tribe members Wendell Harrison and the late Marcus Belgrave, both of whom Hayden has closely collaborated with and learned from throughout her career.
Hayden’s early rise to national prominence began as a co-founder of the groundbreaking, Grammy-nominated jazz group Straight Ahead. The all-female ensemble made waves in the late 1980s when they became the first all-female jazz group signed to Atlantic Records. Their success played a pivotal role in launching the career of violinist Regina Carter, a MacArthur Genius Grant recipient. Straight Ahead continues to perform around Detroit and beyond.
Over the years, Hayden has collaborated with an impressive roster of jazz and soul greats, including DeeDee Bridgewater, Kirk Lightsey, Steve Turre, Jon Faddis, Kamau Kenyatta, and Gregory Porter, among many others. Hayden’s remarkable versatility has earned her recognition not only in jazz circles but also in the broader music community.
In addition to her performance career, Hayden’s impact extends to education and mentorship. She serves as the Geri Allen Collegiate Lecturer at the University of Michigan's Department of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation, a position named after the late Detroit musician Geri Allen. She also teaches at Oakland University, where she continues to inspire the next generation of jazz artists.
As part of her 2025 Kresge Eminent Artist Award, a short film celebrating Hayden’s legacy will premiere on the Detroit PBS affiliate on March 31, 2025. Additionally, a monograph detailing her contributions to Detroit's cultural scene will be distributed to the public free of charge. Hayden’s impact on Detroit’s jazz scene and beyond is undeniable, and her lifetime of achievement continues to inspire musicians and music lovers alike.
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