Jazz Bassist & Composer Brandon Meeks Awarded 2026 Creative Capital State of the Art Prize

Award supports “Unsung Giants,” a groundbreaking project honoring Black Midwest jazz elders and reshaping Indianapolis’ cultural landscape

Indianapolis, IN — January 11, 2026 — Jazz bassist, composer, and cultural advocate Brandon Meeks has been awarded the 2026 Creative Capital State of the Art Prize, one of the nation’s most influential and prestigious awards for innovative artists. The award supports Meeks’ visionary project Unsung Giants, an initiative dedicated to documenting and celebrating overlooked Black jazz elders from Gary, Indiana and the broader Midwest while cultivating new pathways for emerging regional artists.

Creative Capital’s State of the Art Prize supports artists whose work expands cultural narratives and redefines contemporary artistic possibility. Meeks’ project was recognized for its cultural significance, intergenerational bridge-building, and its potential to shift national attention toward the Midwest’s deep jazz lineage.

The project will be presented through Meeks’ 3rd Sunday Jazz Concerts series—an established hub for Indianapolis jazz—further strengthening the city’s growing cultural ecosystem while honoring the region’s musical heritage.

“Unsung Giants will have a lasting impact on how Indiana’s jazz history is celebrated and understood. The project will not only elevate individual stories but also strengthen the cultural identity of our jazz community.”

Rob Dixon, Creative Director  — Indy Jazz Fest

A central force in Indianapolis’ jazz landscape, Meeks leads the 3rd Sunday Jazz Concerts, collaborates widely across the Midwest, and blends jazz, hip-hop, soul, and improvisational traditions. His career includes performances opening for Thundercat, David Sanborn, Musiq Soulchild, and The Foreign Exchange, along with commissioned works for the Indianapolis Jazz Festival.

About Creative Capital

Creative Capital uplifts risk-taking, underinvested artists with unrestricted project grants, professional development, and community-building services to advance freedom of expression and foster sustainable careers. Creative Capital Awards are made via a democratic, national open call process.
Learn more at www.creative-capital.org.

Official Press Release