New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, along with the Americana Music Association Foundation, have named Taj Mahal the 2022-23 NYU/Americana Artist-in-Residence. As a part of the role, the legendary blues musician will present, curate and moderate a series of lectures, workshops, discussions, performances and classroom visits throughout the 2022-23 academic year. 

Mahal’s residency is set to commence on Oct. 18. On the given date, the musician will deliver a demonstration of roots music during a campus-wide presentation, where he will delve into his historic career as a musician while highlighting Pan-African traditions, the many generations of the Griot and more. 

“Taj is a towering musical figure –– a legend who transcended the blues, not by leaving them behind, but by revealing to the world their magnificent scope,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association Foundation. “A brilliant artist with a musicologist’s mind, he has pursued and elevated the roots of beloved sounds with boundless devotion and skill.”

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Americana Foundation,” said Jack H. Knott, Gale and Ira Drukier, Dean of NYU Steinhardt. “We can think of no artist more worthy of this honor than Taj Mahal and we eagerly anticipate his work throughout our Department of Music & Performing Arts Professions and, specifically, in our Songwriting Program.”

Mahal offered, “I’m honored to take on this role.” Before concluding, “It’s an incredible opportunity to work with the diverse NYU student body and to explore and spread the word about the music and sounds from all over the world that’s at the heart of so much of what I do and who I am.”