Jazz at Lincoln Center seeks 10 quartets for international "Rhythm Road" tours

Jazz at Lincoln Center is seeking 10 quartets to promote American music in other countries through "The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad", a partnership between JALC and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

According to the Rhythm Road Web site, the program "is designed to foster cultural exchange with audiences worldwide through performance and educational outreach. Selected ensembles tour to such regions as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East for approximately one month. International activities include public concerts, master classes, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions, media outreach, and collaborations with local musicians."

The tours operate under the official auspices of the U.S. government, and the Department of State funds international travel, hotels and meals and awards a modest tour honorarium to each musician. JALC organizes the tours and coordinates the auditions, which are judged by professional musicians. Selected quartets also will perform free public concerts at JALC’s Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and in Washington D.C. and may be recorded and broadcast non-commercially.

JALC is looking for four-member ensembles that perform jazz, urban/hip hop, or American roots music (including blues, bluegrass, Cajun, gospel, zydeco, and country), and there are various other criteria that bands also must meet. Though JALC is based in New York City, the program apparently is open to musicians from all over the USA. For application and audition information, see the musicians' page on the Rhythm Road Web site. The application deadline is September 15, 2008.