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 118 musicians from 31 jazz, urban or American roots music ensembles to 97 countries. In the tradition of the original Jazz Ambassadors program that sent Dizzy 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.

To learn more about musical ambassadors sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, see the related program, Musical Overtures, which sends experienced musicians to nations involved in, or recovering from, conflict.

2010 Rhythm Road Tour Groups

More than 130 quartets from across the U.S. applied for the 2010 Tour. Three judges selected 10 ensembles from among 35 who were invited to audition in New York City. These talented groups will travel to more than 40 countries between March and November 2010:

1. The Student Loan (Bluegrass - Oregon)
2. Turning Pointe (Gospel - Georgia)
3. Johnny Rodgers Band (Rock/Jazz - New York)
4. Mark Sherman-Tim Horner Quartet (Jazz - New Jersey)
5. Nasar Abadey and Supernova (Jazz Fusion - Maryland)
6. Little Joe McLerran Quartet (Blues - Oklahoma)
7. Oscar Williams and Perfected Praise Gospel (Gospel - Missouri)
8. Chen Lo and the Liberation Family (Hip-Hop - New York)
9. Pathways (Jazz - New York)
10. Charlie Porter Quartet (Jazz - New York)