2017 Jazz Legends Distinguished Achievement Award from the UMass Fine Arts Center and the Valley Jazz Network, Amherst, Mass.
2017 The International Society of Bassists Recognition Award for Collaborative Music
2017 University of Massachusetts - Amherst Honorary Degree of Doctor of Fine Arts
2015 Ehrenmitgliedschaft an der KUG Award for Honorary Membership
2012 Jazz Education Network - Award for Outstanding Performance
2012 BMI Award Winner
2011 NEA Jazz Master Award - Lifetime Honors Award, the nations highest honor in Jazz
2010 New York Nightlife Award - Outstanding Jazz Vocalist
2010 Eleanor Isaacson Lifetime Achievement in the Arts
2008 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz for Lifetime of Service
2006 MAC Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 Lil Hardin Armstrong Jazz Heritage Award
2004 Jazz Vocal Coalition Special Honorary Award
2004 Baker's Keyboard Lounge Lifetime Achievement Award in Recognition of Exceptional Music to Detroit, and the World
2003 The Barry Award for True Jazz Mastery
2001 Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll
- Best Female Vocalist - Top 5!
- Talent Deserving Wider Recognition
1998 Harvard University Visiting Artist Award
1985 NAJE Outstanding Service in Jazz Education
1982 Universal Jazz Coalition Award for Outstanding Contribution to Jazz
Named "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" by Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll 9 times!
Named Top 5 in Downbeat Magazine Critic's Poll "Established Talent" category every year since 1980.
Received two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships.
Best CD of the Year for "Lost and Found" - Wire Magazine (UK)
Vocal Album of the Year for "Confirmation" - Swing Journal