Third Annual Verizon Music Festival Opens in New York on May 16

NEW YORK - The Third Annual Verizon Music Festival opens in New York on May 16, featuring three consecutive days of dynamic R&B, Latin, soul and jazz performances. Concerts are scheduled at Alice Tully Hall and Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center, The Apollo Theater and The Copacabana.

"Because of its diversity and talent level, New York has historically been the kick-off point for the Verizon Music Festival," said Bruce Gordon, president of Verizon Retail Markets group. "As in past years, the performers and venues for these concerts are unparalleled. New York is the biggest cultural center in the world, and the Verizon Music Festival helps the city to stake that claim."

George Wein, CEO of Festival Productions, Inc. and producer of the Verizon Music Festival, said, "The Verizon Music Festival presents a multitude of styles that reflect the diversity of the current New York music scene. We're proud to be working with Verizon to bring the festival to New York."

The New York Festival kicks off May 16 at 8:00 p.m. at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall with two Grammy Award-winning artists -- renowned R&B vocalist and jazz guitarist George Benson and the sophisticated multi-talented jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Heating things up downtown that same night will be Latin music sensations India and Toño Rosario offering up a night of Salsa and fun at The Copacabana.

The Verizon Music Festival uptown moves uptown May 17, with Grammy Award-winning, neo-soul artist Erykah Badu performing at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The New York portion of the Verizon Music Festival finishes with a free outdoor concert at the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center May 18 featuring the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Sherrie Maricle & The Diva Orchestra; and the Ray Vega Latin Jazz Sextet.

The Verizon Music Festival continues with four days in Tampa, June 11-14; Washington, June 27-29; and in Los Angeles, July 24 -27.

Tickets for the 2003 Verizon Music Festival New York concerts go on sale April 6 and are available at the following outlets:
• Alice Tully Hall Lincoln Center: Box office at 65th Street & Broadway. By calling Center Charge 212-721-6500 or online at www.lincolncenter.org.

• Copacabana: Tickets available at 560 West 34th Street (corner 11th Avenue) For information call 212-239-COPA (2672)

• Apollo Theater: Box office at 253 W. 125th Street, by calling Ticketmaster 212-307-7171, online at Ticketmaster.com or at Ticketmaster outlets. Service charge applies on all tickets.

• Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center: free

Service charges may apply.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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