Award-winning jazz bassist, educator and mentor Marion Hayden has been named the 2025 Kresge Eminent Artist, which is regarded as metro Detroit’s highest honor for lifetime artistic achievement. At 68, Hayden is the youngest artist to ever receive the award. She is also the second recipient to have previously been awarded a Kresge Artist Fellowship, which she received in 2016. 

The Kresge Eminent Artist award includes a $100,000 monetary prize, along with a short film and a monograph celebrating Hayden’s life and career. With this recognition, Hayden joins a select group of jazz musicians, becoming the third to receive the award and the first from her generation.

Born and raised in Detroit, Hayden began her musical journey at nine years old and throughout her career has performed with Marcus Belgrave, Wendell Harrison, Nancy Wilson, Geri Allen, Regina Carter and James Carter. Hayden is also a co-founder of the Grammy-nominated all-woman jazz ensemble Straight Ahead. Additionally, she has made significant contributions to the education and mentorship of young jazz musicians.

Host Stephen Henderson talks with Hayden about her musical journey, which began in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. They talk about Detroit’s jazz legacy and the legendary musicians that have influenced her along the way. Plus, she performs in-studio.