Movado recently announced a new prize aimed at acknowledging budding talents in the arts who are on their way to stardom. The Movado Future Legends award is designed to celebrate young artists who are still studying but on their way to becoming a major influence in their field. Five of the most important artistic institutions in the U.S. were invited to identify a “Future Legend,” and the inaugural recipients are jazz pianist Jonathan Batiste (selected by Jazz at Lincoln Center and pictured), mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (selected by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts at the recommendation of The Juilliard School), dancer Kathryn Morgan (selected by the School of American Ballet), dancer Aaron Rogers (selected by The Joffrey Ballet) and Ailey II dancer Tyrell V. Rolle (selected by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater).
The prizewinners will each receive a custom-designed crystal award, a stipend to help support their artistic efforts, and a snazzy M/125 Movado watch to help them keep time. Soon each participating institution will hold a private ceremony to acknowledge their particular recipient and celebrate their future promise.
Jonathan Batiste is one of the most promising young artists in jazz. Coming from a famous New Orleans musical family, the 19-year-old currently studies at the Juilliard School and boasts over 10 years of onstage experience. Batiste has played with a number of notable jazz artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, Nicholas Payton, Alvin Batiste, Cyril Neville and David “Fathead” Newman. Batiste’s latest release Live In New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art is available now from New Orleans Music Factory.
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