By Elizabeth Thompson, Trinity College Communications
Last year, Maya Kronfeld had the satisfaction of seeing Nicole Zuraitis’ How Love Begins, on which she played keyboards, win a GRAMMY Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album.
Fast forward to Sunday night [Feb. 2nd] and the 2025 GRAMMY Awards. Once again, an album featuring Kronfeld as keyboardist – Taylor Eigsti’s Plot Armor – won for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. The recording also features jazz icons Terence Blanchard, Lisa Fischer and many others.
(Listen to Plot Armor on Spotify)
Participating in two GRAMMY-winning albums in as many years is no small feat. For Kronfeld, an assistant professor in the Literature Program, it demonstrates her profound musical skill as well as the interdisciplinary focus she brings to Duke.
In addition to her primary appointment as an assistant professor of theory in the Literature Program, Kronfeld has recently received additional appointments in the departments of music and philosophy.
“This is a great time to celebrate the ongoing art form that is Jazz and Black American Music, and all that it continues to make possible in theory and practice,” she said. “I feel really lucky to be at a university that is a center for research in this area, and I’m thrilled at the possibilities for collaboration this will enable.”
