The Zawinul Foundation for Achievement is thrilled to announce Austrian performing legend Marianne Mendt as the 2018 Zawinul Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The award presentation will be held on Saturday, 12 May 2018, at the popular jazz and music club Porgy & Bess in Vienna, Austria.
An influential female vocalist, Mendt frequently is referenced to as a pioneer voice of Austro-pop. Her work on the stage and in television also created memorable characters for audiences of all ages.
By establishing the MM Musikwerkstatt and MM JAZZFESTIVAL, Mendt has brought international jazz stars to Austria—including the Zawinul Syndicate—and introduced the music genre to students.
That spirit matches the dream Joe Zawinul had to encourage young, promising musicians in their pursuit of performing arts careers, and is the mission of the Zawinul Foundation for Achievement.
“It’s an honor to acknowledge the multitude of contributions Marianne Mendt has made to the arts over the years. Her efforts to introduce jazz artists from around the world to new generations matches my father’s sentiment that music helps break down cultural and language barriers,” says Anthony Zawinul, Zawinul Foundation for Achievement president/founder.
