According to news on Thursday, "In celebration of legendary composer Johnny Mandel’s centenary on November 23, 2025, The ASCAP Foundation announces Michael R. Dudley Jr. as the recipient of the inaugural ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize for Early-Career Arrangers and Eli Feingold as the recipient of the esteemed ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize."
"Mandel was well-known for composing the Oscar and Grammy-winning song 'The Shadow of Your Smile' from the film The Sandpiper and the theme for the classic film and television program M*A*S*H*, among many other notable film scores. The former ASCAP Foundation board member was also a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and the recipient of a NationalEndowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award."
"The ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize for Early-Career Arrangers expands on Johnny Mandel’s long-standing commitment to supporting aspiring jazz composers through The ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize, which was established in 2013. The new prize is made possible by Marissa Mandel, daughter of the late Johnny and Martha Mandel."
“Johnny Mandel was a true champion of the arts and emerging composers. We are delighted to honor his memory with the announcement of our inaugural Johnny Mandel Prize for Early-Career Arrangers,” said ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams. “We are grateful to his daughter Marissa for continuing his legacy and supporting the next generation of music creators.”
"Composer, trumpeter, arranger and educator Michael R. Dudley Jr. is the first-ever recipient of The ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize for Early-Career Arrangers, an award supporting arrangers, orchestrators and composers in the genre of jazz. Dudley has been recognized by ASCAP, The ASCAP Foundation, New York Youth Symphony and the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers. Their compositions and orchestrations have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Sphinx Virtuosi, Charlotte Symphony, Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, New Canon Chamber Collective and Next Festival of Emerging Artists. As a performer, Dudley has toured the world performing with groups such as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian McBride Big Band and Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society. They have also recorded as a lead trumpet player on multiple Grammy-winning works by the John Daversa Big Band and Brian Lynch Big Band. Dudley plans to record their debut large ensemble album in 2027."
"Eli Feingold (pictured), an award-winning composer, arranger, orchestrator, music editor, songwriter, producer, trombonist and pianist, is awarded The ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize. Feingold recently won The ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for his composition '1210' on Good Size Park. In his music, Feingold explores his Jewish heritage and what it means to be a part of that cultural lineage, using his vast array of influences including jazz and film scores to inform his work. This exploration is on full display with his band Good Size Park who just released their debut and self-titled album. As an orchestrator, his work has been featured at the Las Vegas Sphere, on Brit Box’s Outrageous and recorded at Treasure Isle Studio in Nashville. Alongside his long-time collaborator Damian Gutierrez, he recently co-wrote the score to Chris Molina’s feature film Fallen Fruit. As a member of multiple side projects, such as Miami indie band Cannibal Kids, he has been a part of two national tours and is a songwriter, arranger and orchestrator on their latest album Chiral."
