The Woody Herman Jazz Award® was created in 1988, shortly after Herman’s death, to honor outstanding jazz students. The Woody Herman Award honors a jazz student for outstanding contributions to the Pioneer Jazz Program. This award is presented to the runner-up to the Louis Armstrong Award.

Woody Herman (1913-1987) was a jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and Big Band leader, formed the Woody Herman Orchestra in 1936. His lively, swinging arrangements combining bop themes with swing rhythm parts were greatly admired; Igor Stravinsky wrote "Ebony Concerto" for his band.