WHAT: April is Jazz Appreciation Month and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
will launch the celebration with a special announcement of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation’s
donation of a $2.5 million endowment towards the expansion of jazz programming.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 31; 9 a.m.
WHERE: National Museum of American History
Constitution Avenue, between 12th and 14th streets N.W.
WHO: Sue Fruchter, deputy director, National Museum of American History
Steven Bond, president, LeRoy Neiman Foundation
Amy Bartow-Melia, associate director, National Museum of American History
John Edward Hasse, curator, National Museum of American History
Artist LeRoy Neiman (1921–2012) was best known for colorful paintings and illustrations that presented scenes of sports, culture and entertainment. Among his work is a distinctive body of paintings of American jazz legends and music of the 1950s to 1960s. He established the LeRoy Neiman Foundation in 1986 and donated more than $20 million to art institutions and his legacy continues with financial support to the museum’s jazz programming, including this $2.5 million donation.
In addition, the foundation is donating Neiman’s painting, “Big Band,” an epic jazz mural he considered as one of the greatest in his career. The painting is 9-by-13 feet and features 18 iconic jazz musicians. It will be unveiled at the entrance of the Jazz Cafe.
The museum will also announce the detailed calendar of activities for April, including a special performance in commemoration of Billy Strayhorn’s centennial by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the museum’s big band in residence.
Valeska Hilbig
202-633-3129
hilbigv@si.edu
Megan Salocks
202-633-3697
salocksm@si.edu