National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia today announced a major expansion for the NEA Jazz Masters program. At a ceremony revealing the 2004 winners, Gioia outlined the Endowment’s plan to increase public appreciation for jazz through broadcast, compact disc release, expanded NEA Jazz Master categories and a new touring program intended to bring recipient Masters to all 50 states. ‘We have enormously expanded our jazz program for two reasons,’ Chairman Gioia stated. ‘First, we want to honour this great American art form. Second, we want to bring jazz to new audiences across the country.’ The Endowment has already secured the cooperation of venues in more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia. Established in 1982, the Masters program elevates a number of living figures to it’s ranks each year and has become the nation’s highest honour in the field. The expansion plans are intended to help forge new connections between the American people and one of their greatest artistic traditions. For further information, CLICK HERE.