The Kresge Foundation has announced the selection of jazz bassist, educator, and mentor Marion Hayden as its 2025 Kresge Eminent Artist.

Awarded through the Kresge Arts in Detroit program—administered in partnership with the College for Creative Studies—the award recognizes Hayden’s lifetime artistic achievements and contributions to the region’s cultural community. At 68 years old, Hayden is the youngest person to receive the award. In its 17th year, the award includes an unrestricted $100,000 prize as well as the production of a short film and publication of a monograph about the musician’s life.

The third jazz musician to be so honored, Hayden remains an active member of Detroit’s music scene, performing on stage leading her ensemble, Legacy, or accompanying other local jazz legends as well as her former students. Hayden recently began a residency at The Alluvion, a performing arts center in Traverse City.

In 2016, Hayden received a Kresge Artist Fellowship. She is married to the painter and sculptor M. Saffell Gardner, a 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow. Hayden’s other honors include a 2024 Detroit ACE award from the city’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship; a 2023 New Music USA composition grant; and a 2022 Ron Brooks Award from the Southeast Michigan Jazz Association. In the 1980s, Hayden was a co-founder of the Grammy-Award nominated ensemble Straight Ahead.

“[Marion Hayden is] such a deeply rooted community person, so ready and always willing to bring her creativity to wherever it’s needed,’’ said award panelist Ryan Myers-Johnson, a movement artist and founder of Sidewalk Detroit. “What you also get from her is a deep love of craft at a very high level. She could easily be someone who is unapproachable to the community, but she doesn’t have any kind of veil over who is worthy to hear her music.’’

“I’d had such a long morning,’’ Hayden said, reflecting on the news of her award. “I told myself, today, girlfriend, you’re getting something you really like. I was on a mission. To be recognized, in my city, by other artists, means everything. I’m still trying to take it in; a big part of me keeps just saying, wow.”

(Photo credit: Kresge Foundation/Erin Kirkland)