Nearing the end of her second two-year term as Chair of the Board, Tammy Hurt is still working endlessly to shape a brighter future for the Recording Academy. "I'm proud of where we've come and I look forward to seeing where we're going," Hurt says. "I love being part of the change and I love never having to take my foot off the gas."

Hurt has contributed to the betterment of the music industry for far longer than those four years. In addition to her storied career as a drummer and a long tenure with the Academy's Atlanta Chapter, Hurt founded two organizations: boutique entertainment firm Placement Music and nonprofit organization Georgia Music Partners, an advocacy organization aimed at supporting the Peach State's industry and culture. 

But Hurt has truly shined during her time in leadership with the Academy, first as Vice Chair and then four years as Chair of the Board of Trustees. In that time, her efforts advocating for better representation for people of color, women and LGBTQIA+ individuals has helped reshape the membership to be far more representative of the contemporary music industry. Hurt's leadership helped the Recording Academy achieve its goal of adding 2,500 women Voting Members by 2025 — in fact, adding 3,000 by the year prior. In another astounding transition, the voting body saw an increase of 65 percent in Voting Members identifying as people of color. 

Hurt's tenure also saw the launch of programs such as the Gold Music Alliance, which honors the contributions of the Pan-Asian community to the music industry; Academy Proud, which, in partnership with GLAAD and OUTLOUD, celebrates LGBTQIA+ music professionals; the RAA+D Network, which supports community members with disabilities and drives accessibility; and the Indigenous Peoples Network, dedicated to honoring and preserving the contributions of Indigenous members of the music industry.

But ever the diplomatic leader, Hurt consistently cedes credit for her successful tenure to both her collaborators in leadership and the membership base as a whole. "There's a mindset and a spirit of change, both through Harvey and myself, but also we don't do this by ourselves," she says, referring to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. "Being able to bring in more perspectives helps make the Academy better."

That commitment has earned Hurt many deserved accolades, including most recently being honored as part of Billboard's Women In Music. As her time as Chair comes to a close, Hurt discussed her powerful accomplishments, the work that can still be done to advance the Academy, her advice for the yet-to-be-elected incoming Chair, and her plans for the future.

When you were elected to succeed Harvey Mason jr., it was the first time that neither of two consecutive chairs were white men. That's incredible, and the Academy truly looks different than it did four years ago.

One thousand percent. Also, I'm only the third woman in 67 years. That's a staggering number, but we're moving in the right direction.

Absolutely. The work's not complete, but your resume and the things you've managed to achieve in your four years are so meaningful. I can't imagine it's very easy just to have an idea and then make it reality. 

It is definitely an exercise in consensus building. But folks are very like-minded, though. We've been acting with intention for quite some time. 

I have personally been very active in the National Membership Committee. Before we had the new member model, the peer-driven member model, we worked on it for several years before 2019. 

Change takes time. But with the right team, the right mindset, and the right intention, we've made some remarkable progress. But like you said, the work is never done.

Being able to even see some of the fruits of your labor must be a wonderful feeling. In so many organizations, people get into leadership positions, want to make change, and then need to move on before that happens. You've actually been able to champion new things and then see them happen.

You're correct. It has taken some time. You have new members of the board. You have new members. I would say there's a mindset and a spirit of change, both through Harvey and myself, but also we don't do this by ourselves. This is a member-driven organization, and 66 percent of our members are new. 

We talk about diversity. And a lot of it, too, is diversity of thought and being able to bring in more perspectives helps make the Academy better.

Read More: 2024 New Member Class: Music Creators & Industry Professionals React To Their Membership Invites On Social Media: "This Is Huge For Me And My People!"

Having a bloc of the same type of person won't make that diversification happen. And beyond the numbers, the changes in both the organization and the awards demonstrate the commitment.

Well, thank you for saying that. And I will tell you, it takes a village. It takes the whole village. It takes a partnership between the members and the leadership, the management. 

There's been a similar mindset of, basically, "Don't take your foot off the gas, let's make these changes and let's make them now." It's been a really terrific partnership between the elected leaders and management. 

We have some key champions internally — in addition to Harvey, our membership folks, our awards folks. It was our responsibility to build the membership that reflects the current culture and the current music industry. The visibility and the representation and the equity, of course, you need that balance. But at the same time, this is the music industry, and just by its nature between the different genres and geographic locations, we have a lot to include. And we have been very intentional about holding ourselves accountable.

And especially because you're facing that membership base, you have to take accountability personally as well. With that in mind, what were the things you felt most strongly about upholding when you entered as Chair, the things that were working best?

I had a big focus on membership, and I think membership was working right. This is going back a while, but change from the way we used to do things and the change to the peer-driven [approach], there was always an appetite to change. That's what was right. 

There was always an openness — and again, it's by the virtue and the nature of the organization as a member-led organization. Some of our best folks on the management team were once elected leaders. Harvey himself was a Trustee. Ruby Marchand was the Vice Chair of the Academy. What was working was the mindset that we needed to evolve, that we needed to continue to be representative of the organization.

Beyond that evolving spirit, what was it about the mission of the Academy that continued to inspire you over the last four years?

Well, I'll go back to the beginning. The reason that I got involved in the Recording Academy in the first place was because I wanted to see some things change. [Laughs.] 

There was a memory that popped up on one of my social media channels where I was playing drums at a GRAMMY In The Schools event. That was my first ever event that I participated in as a Recording Academy member. The other thing that I will tell you that has been right and has been remarkable — and it was my forever hook at the Academy — was advocacy. I was invited around the same time to attend Grammys On The Hill. I was able to attend as a part of the Academy and really realized how impactful you can be with music. Because music is universal. It's bipartisan. 

The Advocacy department works all year long to build relationships with our legislators. That one day a year, GRAMMYs On The Hill — and now we have Grammys In My District, the local programs — to be able to build those relationships with those legislators and then to be able to walk in as a music creator and tell the story of why something is important to me and to my community. 

The legislators don't know about the music industry. And you can see the wheels turning as you're talking. You really understand that you're speaking with influential lawmakers who could potentially make decisions to make your music community better. And that was so powerful. And that's something that the Academy has been doing right for a really long time.

Advocating for music creators' rights, not just at the federal level, but at the state and the local level, is really such an incredible component of the Recording Academy. There's, of course, music education, advocacy, excellence, and serving. Let's say there's a member who joins the Academy and they want to get more involved. It's a way for people to be able to find a place of service in the organization, because everyone knows about the GRAMMYs for one night a year. The work of the Board is really the other 364 days. 

It's about service. It's about serving the music community. And serving the music community means many, many different things. And for me, one of the things that I'm most proud of is the ability to uplift women into these leadership positions. To support women, to encourage women, to encourage all of our members, but to get that visibility and that representation and that equity. Fifty percent of our board is women. And we're seeing that in our Chapters as well.

Read More: State-Level Advocacy In 2025: How The Recording Academy Is Championing Music Creators Nationwide

If you have that visibility in place also committed to advocacy, it must just be a self-generating source of positive change. 

Diverse groups of people make better decisions. And that's diversity of thought, diversity of age, all kinds of diversity.

You've been able to be so vocal with issues like women's safety in the music industry. Having important conversations about issues of workplace safety are much easier if you've got 50 percent of the conversation being women, as opposed to lone voices.

Absolutely. First of all, you have to get your own house in order. You can't be talking about changing the world before you make sure you've got a good, solid foundation. We started this to develop a roadmap. And the roadmap is to go out into the music community and talk about fostering a more inclusive and respectful and safe environment for everyone in the industry.

So for the Academy to be the convener — because there are women's groups that are doing really great work right now, and it is, again, amplifying their work and being able to aggregate resources. And safety in music means many things. It means safe from harassment. It means psychologically safe. It means being safe and being able to speak up in these environments. And I'm really excited to continue the work. It's very, very meaningful to me personally. 

It's in offices and legal departments and accounting departments. We are all one community, and the safer the environment, the more people can thrive in what they do, whatever their craft is or whatever their profession is. That's actually how you make things better.

What are you excited about for the next person who takes over from you from this point? I know you've got a few more months left, but what's the most exciting thing for you to hand over?

Building off of this foundation that we've worked so hard to build over the last several years, it really is a launching pad for the vision of the next Chair, the next Board. There's still work to do in these areas. 

I think we continue to evolve the GRAMMY Awards process. I'm very, very excited about what's to come with the new partner that the Recording Academy will have to tell the stories, with Disney. We have a big show right now, but there may be opportunities to tell the stories of the five nominees in the Best African Performance Category, or Best Pop Dance Recording. 

We have a Premiere Ceremony that happens right before the GRAMMY Awards where we present 75 awards — and, you know, you're talking about almost 1,000 nominees. Our show is the confluence of art and commerce. We have to put big names on the show, but man, that GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony, it's a treasure trove of stories to celebrate. It's an exciting time for the Recording Academy and this change. And I look forward to the Academy telling its story and the work that it does year-round.

What advice do you have for the person that will be taking this seat next? 

In any instance, for a person who serves, it's truly an honor to serve at this level for this organization and the music community. We all still need to be encouraged. We all still need to be supported. Being in the music industry is hard. And to be able to shine a light or uplift those within the organization and within the community, that's our job. 

From my perspective, the number one service that we provide to the music community is to be able to encourage people to be 100 percent authentically themselves, and to empower people to do great work. It's not just about the Chair. We have a number of national committees that will be repopulated with new diverse people, diversity of thought. There'll be new things to talk about. 

You know, the last four years we've come through some pretty rocky waters. And the future is bright. There will be new conversations to have. There will be new Categories to contemplate. And there will still be a whole lot of work to be done. And for me, I'll be there to advise and be a backstop whenever I'm needed.

Read More: How The 2025 GRAMMYs Signaled A Bright Future For The Recording Academy

What about you? What's next for you, personally?

More music, more music, more music. [Laughs.] I have a project called Sonic Rebel. I have, of course, my Recording Academy duties. I have two companies. And usually my music, my performances get sort of pushed to the bottom of the list. So I'm looking forward to releasing the next mixtape. I'm looking forward to the next series of shows. I'm looking forward to being able to get back to my roots.

And as you said, you'll be on hand to advise if you're needed. It's also wonderful that it's such an ongoing relationship.

It is. I am always proud to serve. This gig is a limited-time engagement and you've got to make every minute count. Looking back at when I was becoming Vice Chair and both times when I was running for Chair — one of my mantras is, "Do what you say you're going to do." And I have done what I said I was going to do.  

I'm proud of the service, but like I said, the work is ongoing. I love being part of the change, and I love never having to take my foot off the gas.

A dazzling assembly of living legends and young hitmakers shared the stage at the Beverly Hilton, where the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala underscored the importance of preserving and celebrating transcendent recordings.

Eleven albums and three singles were inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame as part of this year's class. The inducted recordings span the many moods, shades and colors to be found across nearly a century of popular music: the angst-ridden alternative rock of Radiohead's OK Computer, the joyful bounce of Amor Prohibido by the late tejano icon Selena, the melancholic introspection of Nick Drake's initially underrated Pink Moon, and the defiant brilliance of 2Pac's All Eyez On Me.

Here are six of the most poignant moments from the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala, which honored this year's class of inducted recordings.

The Sound Of Heart Is Truly Timeless

(L-R) Nancy Wilson and Ann Wilson of Heart perform onstage during the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala on Friday, May 08, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills | Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

In the summer of 1975, Seattle band Heart released its debut album, Dreamboat Annie — a majestic fusion of ragged arena rock and lilting folk textures. Fronted by singer Ann Wilson and guitarist Nancy Wilson, Heart were one of the first major women-led bands of the 1970s. Now 75 and 72, respectively, the sisters were in rare form at the Gala, delivering raucous versions of their hits "Magic Man," "Dreamboat Annie," and "Crazy On You." "Mike Fisher was the merman, the captain who set the course," Ann Wilson said as she received the honor, highlighting the artistic contribution of the founding member. "We were the original gypsy tribe," Nancy quipped. Their performance showed how their iconic first album has survived the test of time with grace.

There Would Be No Americana Without Lucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams accepts an honor onstage during the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala on Friday, May 8, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. | Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Call it alternative country, bluesy roots music, or Americana. Regardless of classification, Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road remains one of the grand albums of the 1990s. Its soulful tapestry of thorny guitar licks and the singer/songwriter's passionate vocalizing ignited a new wave of interest in music that reflected the emotional soundscape of America. Backed by an enthusiastic house band, Williams had no trouble recreating the lethal mixture of ferocity and delicate sorrow found in the album's title track and the radio smash "Can't Let Go."

The Social Message Of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 Marches On

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There was no need for Janet Jackson to perform any songs from her 1989 concept album Rhythm Nation 1814. Her moving speech, which had the capacity crowd hanging from every word, was more than enough. "Rhythm Nation still resonates," she said, accepting the album's induction alongside co-producer Jimmy Jam. "It's an ongoing force that fights bigotry and promotes understanding. It transcends all borders, nationalities and faiths." "I hope you hear my heart's desire when we first created this suite of songs," Jimmy Jam added. "The prayer driving [them] remains the same: that peace prevails."

Sometimes All You Need Is A Sultry Voice — And A Jazz Trio

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The second recipient of the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award, singer/songwriter Norah Jones sang luminous versions of two Charles classics, backed by bass and drums: "Seven Spanish Angels" and "Hallelujah I Love Her So." Jones, who won two Grammy Awards, including the Grammy for Record Of The Year, for her 2004 duet with Charles on "Here We Go Again," spoke warmly about working with the legendary performer. "His music is everything to me," she said. "And I wouldn't be anything without listening to him."

Never Underestimate The Sacred (And Profane) Power Of Funk

George Clinton with Funkadelic perform onstage during the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala Friday, May 8, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. | Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Perhaps the Gala's most indelible moment — and definitely the most rapturous – happened during the induction of Maggot Brain, the 1971 powerhouse by George Clinton's Funkadelic. Wearing all kinds of extravagant hats and glittery outfits, 84-year-old Clinton — joined by Erykah Badu, Funkadelic guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight, and the house band led by an ecstatic Cheche Alara on keyboards — performed the album's first 13 minutes (the title track, followed by the hypnotic "Can You Get To That.") It was a wonderful jam session, seeped in psychedelia, shades of cosmic rock, and impossibly funky grooves. Badu made it even more personal and poignant when she recalled being 5 years old and witnessing her mother lose her mind with joy when a Funkadelic track played on the radio.

A Visionary Record Label Celebrates In Style

Teddy Swims performs onstage during the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala on Friday, May 8, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. | Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

From Prince and Joni Mitchell to Madonna and Fleetwood Mac, Warner Records, this year's recipient of the Visionary Of Music Award, has nurtured the careers of many legendary artists. Warner's Co-Chairmen Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson emphasized the importance of musicians taking risks and daring to be different. But music speaks louder than words, and it was two of the label's stars that gave the Gala its lush finale: Teddy Swims displayed his charisma on intense renditions of "Mr. Know It All" and "Lose Control," while Josh Groban premiered his recently released 10th album CINEMATIC with a velvety "Brucia La Terra" and, joined by Take 6, a stirring "Stand By Me."

Through rain and shine, Grammy U united the next generation of music during the 2026 Grammy U Conference Presented By Vaseline, the program's annual conference, in New York City last week. Packed with educational panels and activations, the signature event this year expanded to three days, a first for the conference, and celebrated Grammy U's monumental 20th anniversary.

The conference kicked off with two razor-sharp keynote conversations: WILLOW and Jacob Collier dissected the discipline of craft together at the Sheen Center, then Natasha Bedingfield, Towa Bird, and Abigail Morris of The Last Dinner Party discussed the generational evolution of music — all before the trio's special live performance.

Bright and early Saturday morning, Grammy U members learned about two-time Grammy-nominated producer Alissia's creative process during Grammy U Unwrapped, presented in collaboration with the Recording Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing and moderated by music curator Annabelle Kline. Next, Grammy U Representatives Ily Aguilar and Adyna Silverberg led three dynamic conversations with Rolling Loud CEO and Co-Founder Matt Zingler, Grammy U Managing Director Jessie Allen, and Grammy-nominated singer and actress JoJo during "Grammy U Live!: Building Beyond Limits." Later that night, Mariah The Scientist commanded the Grammy U Showcase, presented in collaboration with the Recording Academy's DREAM Network and New York Chapter, at DROM, with opening slots filled by performing Grammy U members and artists Trinity, Radha, and Michael Soul.

Lastly, Grammy U Career Day at Chelsea Studios offered crucial resources for emerging creatives and professionals, including workshops and networking mixers. Buzzing with energy, the day capped off a special weekend that exhibited and celebrated Grammy U's far-reaching evolution.

Couldn't make it in-person? Here are five key takeaways and lessons we learned at the 2026 Grammy U Conference Presented By Vaseline.

Mastercard and Sony Pro Audio are participating sponsors of the 2026 Grammy U Conference Presented By Vaseline.

Learn To Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

"When have I been comfortable and had an aha moment?" WILLOW questioned. Moderated by Grammy-winning artist, songwriter and producer Jacob Collier, her keynote conversation "The Discipline of Craft: Building Authentic Artistry With WILLOW" dove into how the Grammy-nominated artist shaped contemporary music by practicing curiosity.

WILLOW and Collier kicked off the conference with a jamming session that the pair later revealed was improvisatory — and WILLOW admitted insecurity had nearly held her back from committing to the performance.

"If there's anything that you can identify that you're afraid [of], just go there," WILLOW encouraged Grammy U members, reflecting on how the experience had pushed her out of her comfort zone. "It might be uncomfortable, but — hate to say it — those are the experiences that really break you into being like, 'Oh wow, I didn't know … this part of me existed.'"

Part of leaning into this mindset is recognizing that there's always more to learn. "I don't feel we sit here as experts," Collier acknowledged humbly. "We sit here as fellow explorers and fellow students!"

Caring & Trying Hard Is Cool

During the closing panel, "The Sound of Generations: 20 Years in Reflection," on the first day of the conference, Grammy-nominated artist Natasha Bedingfield, singer/songwriter Towa Bird, and The Last Dinner Party's lead singer Abigail Morris reflected on what longevity looks like in the music industry.

In celebration of 20 years of Grammy U, they discussed how the music industry has changed over the past decades, reflecting on trends such as the emergence of short-form digital content, the ever-present pressure of social media, and the ballooning of fan access to artists.

Bedingfield spoke about how artists can become self-conscious for "car[ing] too much," but she underscored the value of leaning into passion unabashedly and visibly.

Morris agreed, criticizing the modern tendency to present art with "ironic nonchalance" and sharing that her love of art comes from a childlike, playful place. "Caring is so cool. Trying hard is really cool," Morris said. "That's something that people should be proud of and excited about."

"It's rebellious in this culture," Bedingfield added. "It's cool to care, and it's cool to have discipline and work hard," Bird agreed.

Don't Forget To Build Community While Still Honing Your Craft

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During "The Sound of Generations" panel, Bird noted the importance of networking laterally with peers, especially while in college. Whether you're hoping to find someone to offer feedback on your latest song or share legal advice, she described how essential it is to find people to grow alongside in the music community.

"Get to know the people around you — like if you're an artist, meet other artists, [but also] people who are studying music business, who are studying A&R, who want to be executives," she advised. "Be open to understanding the different parts of the music business … so when it does come to that time, you have so many wonderful peers and … you can go to people for advice."

On Saturday, Alissia echoed that advice during her Grammy U Unwrapped session. In conversation with Annabelle Kline, curator and founder of That Good Sh*t, the Grammy-nominated producer reminded members not to be afraid to expand their peer networks, encouraging them to use social media to find collaborators. "Slide into DMs!" she laughed, following a story about how Prince had sent her a DM on Twitter and asked to work together.

During her session, Alissia gave a behind-the-scenes look at her groovy track "Hypnotic Night" featuring Nile Rodgers and EARTHGANG. While her Unwrapped dove into the nitty-gritty of production, her breakdown wasn't all about organization or workflow — it was also about how musical collaboration creates community.

Discover What Success Means To You

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Closing out day two of the conference, the dynamic panel series "Grammy U Live!: Building Beyond Limits" spotlighted three key figures in the industry: Rolling Loud CEO and Co-Founder Matt Zingler, Grammy U Managing Director Jessie Allen, and Grammy-nominated singer and actress JoJo.

Each shared insight into a different corner of the industry, including scaling up a festival (Zingler), growing a global organization (Allen), and guiding your creative journey with intention (JoJo). But above all, the series reminded audiences that truly no one's creative journey is a perfectly straight line.

Allen stressed that it's normal to be figuring out what success looks like for you, and she emphasized the importance of exploring parts of the music industry that are new to you. Similarly, Zingler encouraged Grammy U members to "stay tuned into your goals," noting how success is measured differently by everyone.

Additionally, JoJo reflected on how she was conditioned by the industry to pursue what was "working for her" rather than what she wanted to pursue creatively. "Be protective of what you like," she advised.

Be Your Own Biggest Advocate

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After soaking up advice from two panel-packed days, Grammy U members experienced a new wealth of resources at the conference's first-ever full Grammy U Career Day.

Taking steps toward your career can feel intimidating, but Grammy U Career Day laid out myriad opportunities for members with any interest, from law to songwriting to production to management.

Grammy U Career Day hosted several workshops with speakers respectively from the Mechanical Licensing Collective, Recording Academy, and The Ninth Collective: "Royalties 101: How To Collect On Your Catalogue With Serona Elton"; "Future Forward: Looking Beyond Grammy U With Ruby Marchand"; and "Work The Room: Professional Presence With Jade Walters." Nearby at exhibitor tables, Grammy U members spoke with representatives from music nonprofits including HeadCount, Women in Music, the Mechanical Licensing Collective, Anti Social Camp, the Digilogue, and GLAAD.

Offering career consultations with music executives, in-studio sessions with creatives, networking sessions, resume review stations, and even a professional headshot station, Grammy U Career Day reminded members how readily accessible opportunities can be — but it's up to you to seek them out and take advantage of them.

Learn more about Grammy U.

Join Grammy U.

The Grammy Museum is honoring multi-Grammy-Award-winning singer, songwriter and pianist Norah Jones with the Ray Charles Architect Of Sound Award at the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala, presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum. Taking place Friday, May 8, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, the evening will honor the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings, which were announced in February. Jones will take the stage for a special performance during the evening, which will also feature one-of-a-kind musical moments from a lineup of artists to be announced soon. 

The 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala will also recognize Warner Records as the 2026 label honoree in celebration of its enduring contributions to recorded music and its role in championing artists across generations.

The 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings include 11 albums and three songs that exhibit qualitative or historical significance and are at least 25 years old. Spanning nearly a century of recorded music, the newly inducted recordings range from 2Pac's All Eyez On Me to Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 to Radiohead's OK Computer. Others include recordings by Alice Coltrane, Bertha "Chippie" Hill, Ella Jenkins, Eric B. & Rakim, Funkadelic, Heart, Lucinda Williams, Nick Drake, The Rouse Brothers, Selena, and The Soul Stirrers. Eligible recipients will receive an official certificate from the Recording Academy.

With 14 new titles added, the Grammy Hall Of Fame currently totals 1,179 inducted recordings.

See the full list of the 2026 recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame below.

See the full list of all recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

Tables and seats for the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala are now available for purchase.

Learn More About Norah Jones

With a career defined by timeless songwriting, unmistakable musicianship and a singular voice that has resonated across jazz, pop, soul, and country, Norah Jones has built a body of work that is both intimate and influential. Her artistry has shaped the sound of modern music for more than two decades, making her a fitting recipient of an honor that celebrates enduring creative impact.

"I'm so honored to receive the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award," Jones said. "Ray Charles was my musical hero, and he changed the way so many of us hear and feel music. To be recognized in connection with his legacy, and as part of a night that also celebrates such important recorded works, is special for me."

"Norah Jones represents the kind of artistry that leaves a lasting imprint on music and culture," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said. "Her work reflects a deep musicality, emotional honesty, and a spirit of exploration that echoes the legacy of Ray Charles himself. We are honored to celebrate Norah, this year's Grammy Hall Of Fame recordings, and Warner Records as part of an evening dedicated to the enduring impact of great music."

"Norah Jones has created a body of work defined by emotional honesty, musical depth, and a voice that is instantly recognizable," Grammy Museum President/CEO Michael Stickasaid. "Her artistry has resonated across generations and genres, which makes her a remarkable recipient of this honor. We're also proud to recognize Warner Records and to celebrate this year's Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings — enduring works that continue to shape our understanding of music's history and impact."

Learn More About The Ray Charles Architect Of Sound Award

Inspired by the boundless genius of Ray Charles — whose legacy as a performer, pianist, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur forever transformed the musical landscape — the Ray Charles Architect Of Sound Award recognizes an artist whose influence echoes across generations. The award celebrates artists who transcend genre, redefine creativity, and leave an indelible mark on music and culture. Whether through innovation in sound, groundbreaking artistry, or an unwavering commitment to musical excellence, the recipient embodies the pioneering spirit of Ray Charles, one of music's greatest architects.

"Ray Charles was a singular artist whose influence continues to reach across every corner of music, and this award was created to honor that same spirit of originality, excellence and lasting impact," Ray Charles Foundation President Valerie Ervin said. "Norah Jones is an artist whose work reflects those qualities so beautifully, and we are thrilled to see her recognized with this year's Architect of Sound Award."

Multi-Grammy-Award-winning artist Jon Batiste received the inaugural Ray Charles Architect Of Sound Award in 2025.

2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inducted Recordings

• ALL EYEZ ON ME — 2Pac (Album)

• AMOR PROHIBIDO — Selena (Album)

• CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD — Lucinda Williams (Album) 

• DREAMBOAT ANNIE — Heart (Album)

• "JESUS GAVE ME WATER" — The Soul Stirrers (Single) 

• JOURNEY IN SATCHIDANANDA — Alice Coltrane (Album) 

• MAGGOT BRAIN — Funkadelic (Album)

• OK COMPUTER — Radiohead (Album) 

• "ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL" — The Rouse Brothers (Single)

• PAID IN FULL — Eric B. & Rakim (Album)

• PINK MOON — Nick Drake (Album) 

• RHYTHM NATION 1814 — Janet Jackson (Album) 

• "TROUBLE IN MIND" — Bertha "Chippie" Hill (Single) 

• YOU’LL SING A SONG AND I’LL SING A SONG — Ella Jenkins (Album)

About The Grammy Hall Of Fame

The Grammy Hall Of Fame was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973. The inducted recordings are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts with final ratification by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees.

Former Grammy Awards Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala, alongside Ron Basile, Chantel Sausedo, Lindsay Saunders Carl, and Lynne Sheridan. Grammy- and Latin-Grammy-Award-winning composer, producer and conductor Cheche Alara will serve as musical director. Esteemed journalist Anthony Mason will return as host.

For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to halloffame@grammymuseum.org.

During her acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammys, Laufey delivered one of the most inspiring calls to action in Grammy history. Accepting the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for A Matter Of Time, the Icelandic singer/songwriter gave a massive thanks to all the music educators around the world.

"I owe everything to my music education, to my arts education," she passionately said from the Grammy stage. "We cannot cut arts funding. It's so important. What you all do here is so important."

Much like Laufey, the Grammy organization strongly champions the power of music education and professional development. To mark Music In Our Schools Month this March, the organization that provides year-round learning, networking, and professional development is spotlighting the life-changing impact of music learning, honoring music educators, and elevating the next generation of creators and industry professionals through curated programs and immersive initiatives. The organization's commitment to music education supports the entire music ecosystem — from classroom to career — and ensures emerging leaders are prepared to shape the future of music.

"For me, both music education and professional development are the same: It all points to continuing education," Dr. Chelsey Green, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Recording Academy, told the Grammy organization in an exclusive interview for the Gramophone newsletter. "Staying on top of your development is the holistic education needed to be as rounded and healthy as an artist as you can, especially as so many independent artists are emerging and sustaining their careers independently."

Here are six essential ways the Grammy organization and its affiliates support working professionals and emerging artists and leaders through year-round music education and professional development.

Investing In The Next Generation Through Mentorship & Career Access

The Grammy organization provides access to mentorship programs, internships, workshops, scholarships, and networking opportunities to ensure that music's next biggest stars and industry leaders are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to thrive.

Grammy U & The Grammy U Mentorship Program

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Grammy U is the Grammy organization's premier membership program for the emerging music community, designed to help aspiring creators and professionals launch their careers. One of its flagship initiatives, the annual Grammy U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music connects eligible Grammy U members with Recording Academy members for a six-month mentorship session, during which participants build relationships that often extend well beyond the program, with some mentees landing their first industry roles through the Grammy U Mentorship Program.

In celebration of Music In Our Schools Month, the Grammy U Mentorship Program will continue to host virtual programming for mentees this month, as well as Grammy U Mentorship Mixers across Chapters nationwide.

Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program & Symposium

Created by the Latin Recording Academy in 2016, the Leading Ladies of Entertainment initiative bridges the gender gap in the music industry by honoring influential women and empowering future leaders. Paying-it-forward and forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of this initiative, and in 2021, the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation established its Mentorship Program, where  past honorees and industry professionals provide personalized guidance to selected mentees over three months, offering insights into entrepreneurship, branding, career navigation, and leadership. Applications for the fifth cohort of the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Mentorship Program are open now through Monday, April 6.

In March 2026, the initiative launched its inaugural Leading Ladies of Entertainment Symposium, an inspiring, all-day gathering focused on mentorship, leadership, networking, and the advancement of women in music.

Opening Doors Through Scholarships & Financial Support

The Grammy organization actively works to remove barriers to opportunity via its various scholarship programs, which ensure talented students can pursue their dreams without financial limitations standing in the way.

Your Future Is Now

Presented by Amazon Music and the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective (BMC), the Your Future Is Now scholarship program awards scholarships and hands-on, immersive professional development experiences to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program will return for its fifth year in 2026.

Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2021 in honor of late music executive and DJ Quinn Coleman, the Quinn Coleman Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Grammy organization and Grammy Museum, provides professional development and resources that prepare students for full-time careers in music; resources include scholarships, stipends, wellness seminars, and internship opportunities at the Recording Academy or Latin Recording Academy.

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation Scholarships

The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation is a global champion of music education and empowers communities through Latin music and culture. For over a decade, the Foundation has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music, such as:

• The Prodigy Scholarship, also known as the 2026 Noel Schajris Scholarship, which offers financial support toward a bachelor's degree at Berklee College of Music for the 2026 fall semester

• Gifted Tuition Scholarships awarded to students to cover tuition and housing costs, as well as wrap-around services provided by the Foundation, toward a four-year bachelor's degree at the institution of their choice

• Several Tuition Assistance Scholarships, which offer financial support to students pursuing or starting a degree in music in the 2026 fall semester

Learn more about and apply to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarship programs.

Immersive Learning: Real-World Industry Experiences

Professional development comes alive when students and rising professionals step into real music spaces and attain real-world experiences from working artists and executives. Here are a few examples the Grammy organization provides:

Grammy Camp

The music industry's only summer camp dedicated to delivering direct, real-world insight from working music makers, Grammy Camp is a national summer program for high school students. Led by Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, and music industry professionals, the program provides hands-on training and insider access across multiple disciplines — from performance and songwriting to production and music business.

Presented by the Grammy Museum, Grammy Camp is expanding to four U.S. cities for the 2026 summer season: Nashville, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City.

Grammy In The Schools

The Grammy Museum's Grammy In The Schools program is a regional music industry career day, presented in partnership with a local Recording Academy Chapter, that provides insight to high school students about diverse career options in the music industry and direction on how to prepare for them.

The Grammy In The Schools Music Industry Career Day program connects high school students with Grammy winners, Grammy nominees, and working professionals across disciplines, offering candid conversations about what it takes to build a sustainable career in music. The program also features keynote panels as well as hands-on, interactive workshops where students can learn about producing a track, writing a song, and navigating the industry.

For Music In Our Schools Month, Grammy In The Schools 2026, in partnership with the Recording Academy's New York Chapter, heads to New Haven, Connecticut, this month for a day of hands-on learning and interactive sessions.

Professional Development & Networking At Every Stage

The Grammy organization prioritizes professional development for its members, as well as the creative community and the music industry at large, throughout the year, providing hands-on access to career pathways across the industry and helping emerging professionals build the networks and skills that shape long-term careers.

The Los Angeles Chapter's NEXT Class program, founded in 2014, provides real-life experiences and mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging Recording Academy members as they begin their paths as future leaders of the music industry.

The monthly Level Up series, one of the Grammy organization's many exclusive membership programs, engages Recording Academy members through purposeful programming focused on professional development and member networking. For Music In Our Schools Month, the Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Chapters will collaboratively host a special edition of Level Up featuring Education Committee Members discussing music and health spaces.

In 2024, the Grammy organization established the Music Education & Professional Development Committee (MEPD), a hub to centralize its efforts and facilitate collaboration regarding education and professional development initiatives across the Recording Academy and its affiliates. Currently led by Co-Chairs and industry executives Nikisha Bailey and Riggs Morales, the MEPD Committee amplifies the organization's mentorship and education initiatives for its collective +29,000 members across its Chapters, Wings and affiliates, including Grammy U, the Grammy Museum, MusiCares, the Latin Recording Academy, and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. The MEPD Committee includes Recording Academy members from across the country and activates locally at each of the Academy's 12 Chapters and on a national level.

Honoring The Educators Who Inspire The Next Generation

Every year, the Grammy organization proudly celebrates music educators through awards that spotlight the changemakers shaping the future of music and ensuring the impact and longevity of music education in the classroom.

Music Educator Award

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Presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, the Music Educator Award honors current educators who have made a significant contribution to music education while demonstrating a deep commitment to ensuring music education remains a vital part of school communities.

Jennifer Jimenez, of South Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida, received the 2026 Music Educator Award; she was honored at the annual Special Merit Awards ceremony in January during Grammy Week 2026.

Applications for the 2027 Music Educator Award are now open. Nominations are due March 15, 2026. Applications are due March 31, 2026.

Latin Music Educator Award

In 2025, the Latin Recording Academy, in partnership with the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, launched the Latin Music Educator Award to honor educators from the global music community who are making a significant impact by incorporating Latin music into their curriculum.

Luciana Ortega, of the Instituto Santa María de San Carlos in Chile, was honored with the inaugural Latin Music Educator Award during Latin Grammy Week 2025 last November.

The Impact Of Music Education: By The Numbers

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The Grammy organization's commitment to music education and professional development is reflected not only in its programs, but in the thousands of lives they impact every year. Here's a look at the organization's impact on music education and professional development by the numbers:

Grammy Museum (in the last year alone)

• 18,000: Number of K-12 students who attended a workshop, field trip, or program at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles

• +38,000: Number of students and teachers who were impacted by 446 music education programs and initiatives at the Grammy Museum and across the country

• $200,000: The amount awarded in grants for music research and sound preservation by the Grammy Museum

• In 2025, the Grammy Museum announced free youth admission (17 and under), generously underwritten by the Stengaard Gross Family Education Initiative

Grammy U

• +8,000: The amount of Grammy U members worldwide

• +2,000: Participants in the current Grammy U Mentorship Program Presented by Amazon Music

• +130: Programs in 2025

• 700: Schools with members represented in Grammy U

Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation

• +$15 million: The amount the Foundation has awarded to students, schools, music programs, musicologists, and researchers from around the world to date

• New programs launched by the Foundation in 2025

  • Leading Ladies of Entertainment Fireside Chat  

  • Emerging Talent Spotlight  

  • Latin Grammy In The Schools Learning Session and After School