Big Band by LeRoy Neiman, courtesy of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation

Big Band (2004) by LeRoy Neiman.

COURTESY THE LEROY NEIMAN FOUNDATION

The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History announced that it will increase its jazz programming with a $2.5 million dollar endowment from the LeRoy Nieman Foundation.

Part of the endowment will be used to make up a program of jazz-related events, including a performance by the museum’s own big band, to commemorate Billy Strayhorn’s centennial. Another part will go the development of an establishment called the LeRoy Nieman Jazz Café.

The foundation was established by LeRoy Nieman, the painter of grand scenes of sports and music who died in 2012. One of his paintings, Big Band (2004), will be donated to the museum along with the endowment.