NEW YORK-AREA JAZZ MUSICIANS BEGIN RECEIVING $1,000 GRANTS FROM THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG EMERGENCY FUND

​Jazz Musicians Across New York-Area Are Receiving $1,000 Grants from The Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund to Help Alleviate Costs Caused by Covid-19 Closures
 
Applications Still Accepted Until Monday, 4/20, at 11:59 pm at www.louisarmstrongfoundation.org
 
NEW YORK, NY, April 20 – Grants are on the way into bank accounts of New York-area jazz musicians who were selected from over 1,000 applications submitted to The Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians. A special initiative created by the Board of Directors of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation (LAEF), the Fund is providing an unprecedented $1 million in much- needed financial support to vocalists and instrumentalists in the New York Metropolitan Area who have lost income due to coronavirus-related closures. LAEF is still accepting applications until this evening at 11:59 pm and will continue accepting contributions to the Fund to help more musicians at www.louisarmstrongfoundation.org.
 
These one-time grants of $1,000 are assisting 1,000 individual freelance jazz musicians that live in the New York region and work with regularity in the five boroughs of New York City.
 
“Hundreds of applications were received in the first hour. These responses make it clear: the need is high! We know that Pops would have been amongst the first and most significant financial and moral supporters of our community in these unexpected and extremely challenging times. We’re happy we were able to launch this fund quickly and get some much-needed cash into the hands of musicians immediately,” said Wynton Marsalis, President of LAEF.  
 
Grant recipient and drummer Rudy J. Royston,” said, “I am so grateful for this grant during these unprecedented, challenging days. It greatly helps to ease some of the anxiety that is present during this quarantine and time of total loss of work. ‘Pops’ gave us so much love, joy, inspiration and beauty while he was with us, and he continues to serve humanity even after leaving us.”
 
Jackie Harris, Executive Director of LAEF, added, “We had no doubt that there are countless musicians whose livelihood has been grossly affected. When we launched the Fund, we also added a donation component to invite individuals and corporations to join us to extend the grants beyond 1,000. We know the need is there, and we hope to receive the support to offer a second round of grants.”
 
Grant recipients were selected by a committee of area club owners, scholars, presenters and media activists, who evaluated each application. Once approved, musicians are informed and their $1,000 grant is deposited directly into their bank accounts. 
 
Founded by Louis and Lucille Armstrong in 1969, the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation funds organizations supporting jazz musicians, educators, and students. In the last 10 years alone, the organization has given over $8 million to these various groups. Those wishing to join LAEF in this effort in a more substantive way as a collaborator should email [email protected].
 
About Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong, iconic trumpeter and singer, is the foundation of jazz and of American musical virtuosity in the 20th Century. His earliest recordings taught musicians how to improvise and sing jazz, blues, the American Popular Song and all styles of American vernacular music. His discoveries gave listeners around the world a new way to experience music, and his way of “being natural” in public created another understanding of what it meant to be human. Pops, his nickname which was also the name he called everyone, was a man of the people and all walks of life were given a seat of welcome at his and Lucille’s table. In addition to his legendary artistry, he established this foundation to ensure that future generations would be taught to play and appreciate the art of jazz. From 1943 to the end of his life, Mr. Armstrong was a resident of Corona, Queens, where he enjoyed traveling across the New York boroughs performing and listening to music. 
 
For more information, visit louisarmstrongfoundation.org.