For Immediate Release:

June 11, 2009

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER NOW ACCEPTING BAND APPLICATIONS TO TOUR WITH THE RHYTHM ROAD : AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD

For High Res photos:<.p> http://www.jalc.org/TheRoad_noFl/press_pix.html

Who/What: Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC ) and The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs are pleased to collaborate for a fifth year on The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. JALC is now accepting band applications for the 2009-2010 program. American music quartets from throughout the United States specializing in jazz, urban/hip hop and other American roots music including bluegrass, blues, Cajun, country, gospel and zydeco are invited to apply for the opportunity to travel abroad, particularly to countries not frequently visited by American musicians, to increase cross-cultural understanding.

When: August 10, 2009

Application deadline September 23, 2009

Selected ensembles invited to live auditions October 23-25, 2009

Auditions in New York City October 27-29, 2009

Auditions in other city, to be determined November 6, 2009

Announcement of finalist ensembles for 2009-10 Rhythm Road tours March-December 2010

Finalist ensembles perform domestically and embark on international tours

Where: Applications for the 2009-2010 tours are available: http://www.jalc.org/TheRoad

Musicians inquiring about applications can call 212-258-9899 or email: amap@jalc.org.

How: For more information on The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad, visit www.jalc.org/TheRoad In addition, you can listen to music and stories about the program for free on Jazz at Lincoln Center Radio at http://www.jalc.org/jazzcast/program.asp?programNumber=262 and http://www.jalc.org/jazzcast/program.asp?programNumber=205

For blogs, video and photos from the 2009 Rhythm Road tours, please visit: http://www.jalc.org/TheRoad_noFl/links.html

Background: Jazz at Lincoln Center in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs produces an annual series of international tours for ten ensembles performing jazz, urban and other American roots music to countries all over the world. Through performance, education and person-to-person interaction, The Rhythm Road program encourages mutual respect and understanding between the United States and the countries visited by ensembles. The program also incorporates free performances by each group at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York , and at The National Geographic Society in Washington , D.C.

Over the past four years, 108 musicians from 28 ensembles will have toured with the program, visiting 97 countries on 5 continents. Quotes: “In the historic tradition of such musical alumni as Armstrong, Ellington, and Gillespie, these tours focus on diverse geographic audiences and the dynamic interaction born of music. The emphasis on education as well as performance leads to powerful exchange for our audiences and musicians alike," said Susan John, Director of Touring for Jazz at Lincoln Center .

Sponsorship: The Rhythm Road : American Music Abroad program is made possible with underwriting support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. For more information: Bridget Wilson, Associate, Public Relations, Jazz at Lincoln Center (212) 258.9868, bwilson@jalc.org; Maury Donahue, (212) 614-4966, maury.donahue@bm.com; David C. Grier, U.S. Department of State, (202) 203.7007, GrierDC@State.gov.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Jazz at Lincoln Center is dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz. With the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a comprehensive array of guest artists, Jazz at Lincoln Center advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of performance, education and broadcast events for audiences of all ages.

These productions include concerts, national and international tours, residencies, yearly hall of fame inductions, weekly national radio and television programs, recordings, publications, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, a band director academy, jazz appreciation curricula for students, music publishing, children’s concerts, lectures, adult education courses, student and educator workshops and interactive websites.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Chairman Lisa Schiff and Executive Director Adrian Ellis, Jazz at Lincoln Center produces thousands of events each season in its home in New York City , Frederick P. Rose Hall, and around the world.

For more information visit www.jalc.org.

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and exchange programs. Through its Cultural Programs Division, the Bureau manages a variety of cultural exchanges programs that support U.S. foreign policy, foster America 's artistic excellence, and demonstrate America ’s respect and appreciation for other cultures and traditions.

For more information, visit http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/culture/index.htm.

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