NY Steps Up Again

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER'S HIGHER GROUND FUND ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR
GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA MUSICIANS AND MUSIC INDUSTRY-RELATED
ENTERPRISES

Applications Available at www.FoundationsForRecovery.org.

New York, NY November 1, 2005: The Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Fund,
established by Jazz at Lincoln Center and administered through the
Baton Rouge Area Foundation, announces grants for musicians and music
industry-related enterprises from the Greater New Orleans area.
Individuals and organizations affected by Hurricane Katrina can
download applications and review eligibility requirements at
www.FoundationsForRecovery.org. The deadline to receive submissions is
November 7, 2005.

Grants for individuals will be made up to $15,000, with priority given
to professional jazz musicians. Grants up to $100,000 will be issued to
nonprofit organizations, with priority given to music-related
institutions. Applications are subject to deadlines.

Derek E. Gordon, president and CEO of Jazz at Lincoln Center commented,
"The focus of the Fund will be to help those individuals and families
evacuated from the Greater New Orleans area as they address immediate
concerns related to housing, food, education, health care and basic
survival necessities. The Fund will also provide resources to assist
individuals over time to rebuild their homes and livelihoods."

The Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert, held on September
17th, was produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center and telecast live on the
Emmy Award-winning PBS series "Live From Lincoln Center." The event
included performances by an array of musicians and entertainers and
raised funds for disaster relief by encouraging viewers to make
donations to the Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Fund. To date, over $2
million has been raised. All proceeds from Blue Note Records' Higher
Ground Benefit CD will also benefit the fund. Find out more about this
event at www.jalc.org.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is a community foundation, a nonprofit
organization composed of over 300 charitable funds with over $375
million in assets established by individuals, families, corporations
and organizations. Since 1964, the Foundation has made grants in the
areas of Arts & Humanities, Community Development, Education,
Environment, Human Services, Medical/Health, Religion and Scholarships.

For more information about the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, visit
www.braf.org.