Terri Pontremoli

Awarded: 2026

Terri Pontremoli is a violinist and arts leader whose passion for jazz has defined her career. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, she began as a classical performer and teacher before moving into arts administration, driven by a desire to strengthen jazz's place in American culture.

At Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland (1991–2004), Pontremoli transformed the festival through innovative marketing, education and fundraising, securing over $6 million in support and elevating its national profile with major grants from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

She later led the Cleveland Arts Prize, expanding its reach and audience, and served as executive and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival (2007–2011), where she built partnerships, launched educational initiatives and helped the festival earn top national rankings. Returning to Tri-C JazzFest in 2012, she reimagined it as a summer destination event with year-round programs.

Pontremoli's honors include the Cleveland Arts Prize Robert P. Bergman Award (2019), the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Hero Award (2021) and DownBeat's Lifetime Achievement Award (2024). Now a consultant with SFJAZZ, she continues to champion jazz education and believes deeply in the arts' power to heal and unite.