Part of Longer-Term Effort to Promote New Orleans' Culture and Tourism NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, American Express today launched a program to promote and elevate native musicians of New Orleans -- those who have made immeasurable contribution to the artistic legacy of the city. The program, titled American Express Spotlights New Orleans' Own, will see local musicians, including Irma Thomas and the ReBirth Brass Band, perform on the Festival's two main stages throughout the Festival. Additionally, American Express' support will enable the Jazz & Heritage stage, dedicated to the roots of New Orleans' music and jazz, to again be part of the Festival. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051201/AMEXLOGO ) American Express' partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the launch of American Express Spotlights New Orleans' Own is part of a series of initiatives the company will undertake to help promote the culture of New Orleans and stimulate the economy. These initiatives include working with merchant partners in New Orleans to stimulate business, as well as longer-term initiatives to bring travel and tourism back to the area. "American Express has a history of supporting communities in times of need and we are pleased to help showcase the arts and culture of New Orleans which is integral to its recovery," said Howard Fulton, Vice President, Southern Region for American Express. "The launch of this program will help New Orleans musicians continue to play their prominent role in the Festival. This program, as well as our support of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is just part of our ongoing commitment to help bring people and business back to New Orleans." "We are grateful for the help and support of American Express to make this year's Festival a success," said Quint Davis, producer/director of New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. "Because of American Express, the Jazz & Heritage stage, dedicated to showcasing the heart and soul of New Orleans unique musical culture, will again be back at home in the center of the Festival. American Express is an inspirational partner, dedicated to helping the musicians of New Orleans, spotlighting local music, as well as bringing back the economy of our great city." American Express will also support the education pavilions on the Festival grounds dedicated to indigenous New Orleans folk life and history, as well as the native New Orleans' brass bands' performances. Beyond the Festival itself, the company will conduct outreach to New Orleans' schools with music and cultural educational programs. In addition to the company's funding to help the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, American Express is working with local merchant partners to stimulate business through restaurant, retail and entertainment offers, and is developing longer-term programs to bring back travel and tourism to New Orleans. These initiatives will continue the support that American Express offered businesses immediately after the hurricanes hit, including varied assistance to tens of thousands area merchants. American Express has a long history of supporting arts and culture, and has been at the forefront of developing ways to economically revitalize communities in need. The company has been instrumental to the creation and success of the Tribeca Film Festival, which has played a pivotal role in drawing business and people back to lower Manhattan following the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Tribeca Film Festival has been responsible for adding millions of dollars into the local economy since 2001 and has helped drive hundreds of thousands of people back to the area every year. Additionally, American Express has been the founding sponsor of the Downtown River to River Festival which also serves to bring people, events and energy to lower Manhattan every summer. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. For more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com/. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: alexandra.a.martinez@aexp.com http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051201/AMEXLOGODATASOURCE: American Express CONTACT: Ashley Schiff, +1-212-373-6143, , or Judee Sidorsky, +1-212-373-6135, , both of PMK/HBH; or Jo Lambert, +1-212-640-9668, , or Judy Tenzer, +1-212-640-0555, , both of American Express Web site: http://www.americanexpress.com/

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