Among the various 2014 MacArthur 'Genius Grants' is prime-time heavyweight saxophonist Steve Coleman, the 57-year-old who was honored for his "infusing iconic spontaneous music idioms with the melodic, rhythmic and structural components of an eclectic range of musical traditions."
Coleman, who is known for his loose musical collective M-Base, was considered for his distinctive sound and pioneering musical traditions for a new age of jazz music.
Some major artists who cite Coleman and M-Base as a major influence include Ambrose Akimusire, Cassandra Wilson, Greg Osby, Dave Holland, Ravi Coltrane, Geri Allen and the 2013 MacArthur 'Genius' Vijay Iyer.
Steven has many accolades, serving as an associate professor of music at UC Berkeley from 200 to 2002 as well as having brief stints at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, the Thelonius Monk Institute and Banff School of Fine arts, according to the L.A. Times.
Other 'Genius'' honored this year include cartoonist Alison Bechdel, director Joshua Opppenheimer, Tami Bond, Sarah Deer and Mary Bonauto.
Hats off to the latest honorees as much will come from their latest grants.
Here's a 2012 NPR performance from the man, himself.
