The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation has started a $1 million relief fund for freelance jazz musicians in New York City affected by COVID-19.
The new Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians will award one-time grants of $1,000 to out-of-work musicians. The money will be awarded to musicians who live in the New York City region and perform regularly in New York’s five boroughs.
The foundation’s current chairman, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis of the Marsalis family jazz dynasty, said that, “The entire jazz ecosystem has been shut down, and the jazz community is devastated. To mitigate some of the loss, this fund will award an unprecedented $1 million to assist qualifying musicians in need.”
The foundation was started by Louis and Lucille Armstrong to support fellow jazz musicians, as well as students, and promote live performances. While the foundation has existed as a small, New York-based operation, Marsalis acknowledged that this was the time to think big as a result of the pandemic, “Although this is a very large fund for an institution of our size, we are doing what we know ‘Pops’ would do; and we welcome individual, foundations and other organizations to join us in supporting this underserved community.”
The initial opening to apply for relief money closed last week, but as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, applications may very well open once again. Head to the foundation’s website for further information.
[H/T NBC News]