Audiences across the United States will have opportunities to hear and meet some of America's most legendary musicians: the winners of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. Organized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest, the program, which is being sponsored by Verizon Communications Inc., will reach all 50 states by providing funds to non-profit presenting organizations to feature NEA Jazz Masters, with educational activities included in each engagement. Additional support for the tour is provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation through a grant to Chamber Music America. Under another component of the NEA Jazz Masters Initiative, NEA Jazz in the Schools, the Verizon Foundation is supporting the creation and distribution of curriculum materials that will be available for use in the educational activities at each engagement. National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia said, "The NEA is proud to announce the biggest jazz program in its history. We are not only sponsoring a 50-state tour by many of America's greatest living jazz musicians. We also are providing high school teachers a free, multimedia jazz curriculum to introduce a new generation to this distinctly American art form." The National Endowment for the Arts has taken a leadership role in supporting jazz artists and organizations since 1970, providing millions of dollars in grants and awards. "As part of Verizon's sponsorship of the NEA Jazz Masters Initiative, we are honored to help launch this exciting part of the project that will bring master musicians to venues across the country," said Bob Ingalls, president of Verizon Retail Markets. "Verizon knows the value of connecting artists and audiences through the company's long history of sponsoring music events such as the Verizon Music Festival and this year's Grammy Awards. We are pleased to support this tour and the art of jazz." Host presenters will engage NEA Jazz Masters at their facilities beginning in late May 2005. The full schedule of artists and dates is still under development. A continuously updated calendar of artists and dates will be maintained on the NEA Jazz Masters web site. To view CLICK HERE Established in 1982, the NEA Jazz Masters program honors living legends for their exceptional contributions to jazz and helps to connect them, and their music, to the American people through broadcasts, publications, educational initiatives, and NEA Jazz Masters on Tour. The NEA Jazz Masters Initiative is sponsored by Verizon. For more information on NEA Jazz Masters, CLICK HERE For further information, CLICK HERE