LeRoy Neiman’s ‘Big Band’ and $2.5-Million Endowment Trumpets Jazz Expansion at Smithsonian

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History kicked off Jazz Appreciation Month a day early by announcing the LeRoy Neiman Foundation’s donation of a $2.5-million endowment towards the expansion of jazz programming.

In a March 31 ceremony, the museum unveiled Neiman’s painting, “Big Band,” an epic jazz painting the artist considered as one of the greatest in his career. The painting is 9-by-13 feet and features 18 iconic jazz musicians. Visitors can view the painting just inside of the museum’s Constitution Avenue entrance, next to the newly named LeRoy Neiman Jazz Cafe.

The museum also announced its new five-year plan for jazz programming, made possible by the Neiman Foundation gift, and the detailed calendar of jazz activities for April 2015.

As part of a special donation ceremony, the museum also received other jazz related acquisitions which include: the upright bass and archives of jazz musician and double bassist, Ray Brown; the complete collection of jazz photographer, Duncan Schiedt; as well as a poster of “Ella in Flight” by Neiman.

The ceremony was attended by donors Steve Bond, director of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation, Richard and Fran Rosman of the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Mark Dibner of the Argus Fund and Ray Brown’s widow Cecilia.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is located on the National Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Ave. N.W. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Admission is free.

View our photos from the special donation ceremony at the NMAH on March 31 by clicking on the photo icons below.