Musician Devin Phillips is surrounded by children during a trip to the Republic of the Congo in December, 2007. Photograph courtesy of Eric Gruber

Launched in 2005 in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad has already sent 108 musicians from 28 jazz, urban or American roots music ensembles to 89 countries. In the tradition of the original Jazz Ambassadors program that sent Dizzie Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Dave Brubeck on world tours during the Cold War era, Rhythm Road brings American culture to audiences around the globe through person-to-person exchanges, focusing particularly on those in more remote areas.

Rhythm Road artists are the new generation of musical ambassadors, reaching beyond concert halls to interact with other musicians and the general public. Their direct engagement with foreign audiences via workshops, master classes and jam sessions presents a positive image of the U.S. and provides a greater understanding of our society. The U.S. artists themselves deepen their knowledge of other cultures, enhance their creativity, and feel the pride of representing their country.