Muhal Richard Abrams, pianist and composer, has been at the forefront of contemporary music for the past 40 years. He is a co-founder of the AACM, founder of the AACM School of Music, and president of the AACM New York City Chapter. In addition to his many jazz recordings, which feature a variety of ensembles and musical approaches, Abrams has also written works for symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra and ensembles, string quartet and duo piano. In 2009 Abrams was declared a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States' highest honor for jazz musicians.