Jazz Congress, the unique conference that brings together members of the global jazz community to nurture the bond between artists, media professionals, and industry leaders, will present Lee Mergner, former JazzTimes editor and publisher, with the Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award on Wed., Jan. 7 in the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award was created in 2014 in honor of the longtime jazz record executive who was a champion and advocate for so many jazz artists over the last four decades. The annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and vision in expanding the audience for jazz and has made a difference for artists, the music, and audience. Previous award recipients include Randall Kline, Brice Rosenbloom, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington, Darlene Chan, Barry Harris, Danilo Perez, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and John Clayton.

McBride, the 2017 Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award recipient, will present Mergner with the 2026 award.

For more than 30 years, Mergner served as an editor and publisher of JazzTimes, which won numerous ASCAP-Deems Taylor awards for music journalism. The publication was founded in 1970 and was described by All Music Guide as “arguably the finest jazz magazine in the world.” Mergner remains an at-large contributor to the publication for which he’s written hundreds of profiles and stories.

Since 2018, in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center, Mergner has been a co-organizer of Jazz Congress. He founded Jazz Connect Conference in 2012 and produced the conference through 2017. Mergner co-produced the Jazz Industry Track at the IAJE conference from 2001 through 2008 and produced the JazzTimes Convention during the ‘90s.

Mergner currently serves as the jazz consultant for Signature Cruise Experiences, which produces numerous jazz-themed cruises, including The Jazz Cruise, Botti at Sea, Journey of Jazz, McBride’s World at Sea, and The Smooth Jazz Cruise. He is also the lead writer for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s concert programs. Over the years, he has been an advisor and volunteer with various jazz organizations and events such as Jazz House Kids, Montclair Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz Philadelphia, Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Exit Zero Jazz Festival, and several others.

“Nearly fifteen years ago, Lee co-founded Jazz Connect to create a space where artists could meet potential collaborators, connect with labels, and build relationships with presenters and booking contacts,” said Georgina Javor, Vice President of Concerts and Touring, Jazz at Lincoln Center. “As the jazz ecosystem has shifted since that first conference and ultimately through the co-founding of Jazz Congress, Lee has remained an invaluable collaborator whose dedication has helped guide our conference forward. Lee, we congratulate you on this well-deserved honor.”

Mergner says he was surprised to hear news of the honor. “I’m used to being on the other side of the equation,” he explains. “I’m much more comfortable giving awards than receiving them, but I am grateful to be recognized by my friends and colleagues for my service to the jazz community. I feel fortunate to be a part of the jazz family for so many years and hope to continue to contribute to this music’s presence in our culture.”

More than 30 events are scheduled to take place during Jazz Congress on Wed., Jan. 7, 2026, and Thurs., Jan. 8, 2026 at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located at Broadway at 60th Street, New York, New York.

For more information and to register, visit jazzcongress.org.

In addition to the Bruce Lundvall Visionary Award Ceremony, the previously announced “Midwest Jazz Collective: Building Tours Through Strategic Routing and Collaboration,” and “It’s Complicated: Presenting Jazz and Education in Cuba” panels, Jazz Congress 2026 features a wide array of panels including:

In conversation: Ron Carter, legendary bassist; and Todd Barkan of Keystone Korner

“Jazz and Spotify: How Streaming is Reshaping Jazz for Listeners and Artists Alike”
with Liz Pelly, critically-acclaimed writer and editor

“You’ll Hear It: Live from the Appel Room, a collaboration with Peter Martin and Adam Maness of Open Studio”

“Placing Music in Films, TV, and Advertising”

“Funding Your Future, presented by South Arts”

“Jazz Legacies Fellowship Roundtable” with artists Bertha Hope, Carmen Lundy, Amina Claudine Myers,
Herlin Riley, and Reggie Workman

“(Still) Kind of Blue: The Legacy and Impact of Miles Davis at 100,”  moderated by Ashley Kahn
and featuring Terence Blanchard; Richard Brody (The New Yorker); Lauren Du Graf; Marcus Miller; Vince Wilburn, Jr.

The 2026 conference also hosts annual favorites, including the “Jukebox Jury” and “Ask Us Anything” interactive workshops. A welcome reception on Jan. 7 gives attendees an opportunity to network with colleagues from all over the world.

Funding for Jazz Congress is provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Jazz Congress Registration Rates and Deadlines:

Jazz Congress – 2 Day Pass

• Jazz Congress Registration
  • $200 –today to December 31
  • $250 –January 1 onward (including walkup day of sales)
• Student
  • $60 

Jazz Congress – 1 Day Pass – Wednesday, January 7, 2026

• Jazz Congress Registration
  • $150 –today to December 31
  • $175 – January 1 onward (including walkup day of sales)
• Student
  • $60 – today through January 7

Jazz Congress – 1 Day Pass – Thursday, January 8, 2026

• Jazz Congress Registration
  • $150 – today to December 31
  • $175 – January 1 onward (including walkup day of sales)
• Student
  • $60 – today through January 8

For registration inquiries, including student registration rates, contact Customer Service by emailing [email protected] or calling 212.258.9800.

The Empire Hotel, located at 44 W. 63rd Street in New York, New York, is the hotel partner for Jazz Congress.

The Jazz Congress Advisory Board includes Gene Dobbs Bradford, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chanel Enriquez, Stefon Harris, Karen Kennedy, Don Lucoff, Riley Mulherkar, Katie Simon, Denny Stilwell, and Helen Sung.

Press Inquiries:
Zooey Tidal Jones
Senior Director, Public Relations and External Communications
Jazz at Lincoln Center
212.258.9821
[email protected]