U.S. Department of State and Jazz at Lincoln Center Launch 2009 Concert Tour of The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
January 28, 2009
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center, is pleased to launch the 2009 concert tour of The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. The program will send 10 American quartets abroad to present original American music, including jazz, urban, and roots. Quartets from across the United States auditioned in New York City and 10 were selected to represent American culture through concerts, jam sessions, classes, and person-to-person interaction with foreign audiences who historically have had few opportunities to meet Americans firsthand. These American musical ambassadors are following in the footsteps of legends Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and other great American jazz performers.
The 2009 Rhythm Road tour groups are:
Brian Horton Quartet
Chris Byars Quartet
Duende Quartet
Eli Yamin Blues Band
Helen Sung & NuGenerations
Hoppin’ John String Band
Roseanna Vitro and The JazzIAm Band
Ryan Cohan Quartet
The Student Loan
Vice Verse All Star
In addition to touring abroad, the ensembles will play a series of concerts at the National Geographic Society’s Grosvenor Auditorium (
1600 M Street NW., Washington, DC), which are free to the public. The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad concert schedule for Washington, DC is:
Date Time Ensemble January 29, 2009 | 6 p.m. Vice Verse All Stars |
January 29 | 7:15 p.m. The Student Loan |
March 19 | 6 p.m. Helen Sung & NuGenerations |
March 19 | 7:15 p.m. Chris Byars Quartet |
April 9 | 6 p.m. Ryan Cohan Quartet |
April 9 | 7:15 p.m. Hoppin’ John String Band |
April 16 | 6 p.m. Brian Horton Quartet |
April 16 | 7:15 p.m. Roseanna Vitro and The JazzIAm Band |
June 4 | 6 p.m. Duende Quartet |
June 4 | 7:15 p.m. Eli Yamin Blues Band
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For more information visit
www.exchanges.state.gov/cultural/rhythm.html and
ww.jalc.org/TheRoad, or contact:
Catherine Stearns, 202-203-5107 or
StearnsCL@state.govDavid C. Grier, 202-203-7007 or
GrierDC@state.gov
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