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Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > Press Releases: 2009 > Press Releases: January 2009

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

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.gov
David C. Grier, 202-203-7007 or GrierDC@state.gov

2009/084

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