National Endowment for the Arts Taps Jazz Celebrities for 2005 NEA Jazz Masters Awards Concert

The perennially popular Ramsey Lewis, host of the new public television series Legends of Jazz, will serve as master of ceremonies at an all-star concert on Friday, January 7, honoring the 2005 recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award.

Held at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, the ceremony and concert will also feature Nancy Wilson (NEA Jazz Master 2004) and Dr. Billy Taylor (NEA Jazz Master 1988) as award presenters. Performers will include Gerald Wilson (NEA Jazz Master 1990) with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra; the Geri Allen Trio with special guests James Moody (NEA Jazz Master 1998) and Chico Hamilton (NEA Jazz Master 2004); and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Welcoming the 2005 NEA Jazz Masters will be Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia.

Instituted in 1982, the NEA Jazz Masters Award is the nation