Jazz at Lincoln Center
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/30/05

For more information, please contact:
Adam Meier, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 202.203.7026. meieraw2@state.gov
Mary Fiance Fuss, Jazz at Lincoln Center 212.258.9829, mfuss@jalc.org

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SELECTS JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER TO PRODUCE INTERNATIONAL TOURS ENTITLED THE RHYTHM ROAD: AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD PROGRAM WITH TOURS TO LATIN AMERICA, AFRICA, ASIA, EURASIA, EUROPE AND THE BALKANS

APPLICATIONS FOR AUDITIONS FOR THE 2007 TOURS NOW AVAILABLE AT WWW.JALC.ORG/THEROAD

International Tours in January 2006 by Grupo Yanqui; JazzSabroson Latin Jazz Quartet; Opus Akoben Hip-hop Ensemble; Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans Latin Jazz Quartet; Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble; Agora Latin Jazz Quartet; Alejandro Aviles Latin Jazz Quartet; Toni Blackman Hip-hop Ensemble

New York, NY (November 30, 2005) The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the selection of Jazz at Lincoln Center to produce international tours of jazz and urban music ensembles in concert performances and educational events entitled The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. Applications for auditions for the 2007 tours are now available at www.jalc.org/TheRoad.

Jazz at Lincoln Center will also produce tours in January 2006 by: Grupo Yanqui; JazzSabroson Latin Jazz Quartet; Opus Akoben Hip-hop Ensemble; Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans Latin Jazz Quartet; Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble; Agora Latin Jazz Quartet; Alejandro Aviles Latin Jazz Quartet; Toni Blackman Hip-hop Ensemble. The tours are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies.

The January 2006 touring ensembles will perform in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe and the Balkans (with the theme of Latin Jazz.) The tours are designated for countries that are not often visited by American musicians to foster cross-cultural exchanges. In addition to public concerts, the visiting ensembles will conduct master classes, lecture-recitals, workshops, jam sessions, radio and TV appearances, arranged by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Each ensemble is provided a tremendous performing opportunity, overseas traveling expenses and an honorarium.

The 2007 touring ensemble auditions will be held in Spring 2006 and are open to musicians who are U.S. citizens and are at least 21 years of age. A panel of musicians and scholars will adjudicate music submitted by ensembles and invite those selected for live auditions and interviews with the U.S. Department of State. Auditions will be held at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City and additional U.S. cities to be designated by the location of selected applicants. Six jazz quartets (and three alternates) will be selected. Prior to the tours in 2007, there will be free public performances by the ensembles in New York City. The free performances will be held on Saturday afternoons at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Frederick P. Rose Hall. There will also be free concerts held in the Washington, D.C. area. Musicians inquiring about auditions may visit www.jalc.org/TheRoad, call 212.258.9899 or email amap@jalc.org.

"Music is the only true universal language with the power and spirit to bring people together. The Rhythm Road tour is a natural extension of our mission that brings jazz to as many people as possible in the name of universal friendship," said Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis.

"The Rhythm Road tour successfully advances cross-cultural awareness and mutual understanding between nations through the universal language of music. We are thrilled to be part of the American Music Abroad program to bring our country’s national musical treasures to the world," said Derek E. Gordon, President and CEO of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

JazzSabroson Latin Quartet
Bassist Miriam E. Sullivan, born and raised in New York City on March 25, 1972, is a multi-faceted artist on the scene. Playing the musical styles of jazz, Latin, and funk, she has performed in Spain, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and many festivals throughout the world. Ms. Sullivan has performed with artists including Wynton Marsalis, the late Lionel Hampton, Rachel Z. and many more. She performs in workshops and concerts at public schools, and community events through organizations such as Young Audiences, Arts Horizons, the Harmony Project and David Pleasant's Riddimathon.

Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Tony De Vivo was introduced to music at the age of 5, when he began observing his sister’s piano lessons. At age 11, he started playing drums, teaching himself to play by listening to recordings. He has worked in Caracas with artists including jazz singer Biella de Costa, jazz guitarist Gonzalo Mico and many others. He is a member of the Venezuelan folkloric group Café con Pan that explores the extensive drumming tradition of the Venezuelan coast. He has lived in New York since 1991.

Jainardo Batista is the lead vocalist and conga player of the Cuban son band-Mo'Guajiro, as well as Son de Hoy. She plays at major New York City venues year-round and has performed lead vocals for the Cuban timba bands, Pan con Timba and Son de Madre.

Since 1982, Steve Bloom has studied modern jazz, classical guitar, arranging and music theory with Rachel Z. and Virginia Luque. He graduated from Tulane University and received a B.F.A. in Jazz Studies from L.I.U. in Brooklyn. He teaches private lessons at his home studio and in the past he has run a National Guitar Workshop for students ages 10-15.

Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans Latin Jazz Quartet
Annette A. Aguilar is a versatile percussionist and composer. Born in San Francisco, CA, she began playing music at age 11. Since then, Ms. Aguilar plays various percussion instruments including congas, hand drums, marimbas, and timpani. At 16, she was recognized for her percussion playing and began sitting in with internationally renowned Latin artists such as Chepito Areas, Cal Tjader and Pete and Sheila Escovedo (later known as Sheila E.). In a professional career that has spanned more than 20 years, Ms. Aguilar has recorded albums and television broadcasts and has toured extensively with Latin, reggae, classical, pop, and jazz artists. Ms. Aguilar’s Broadway credits include Grammy-winning Smokey Joe's Café.

Rob Thomas has been recognized by international critics and audiences as one of the most original, technically adept, and powerful violinists playing jazz and contemporary music today. Mr. Thomas has been a vibrant part of the creative music scene in New York City since he moved there in 1991. He is an active freelancer, contributing to recent recordings by Lee Konitz, Andy Summers, Los Jovenes Del Barrio and Marc Ribot. He has also performed with Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Bobby Previte, Claude "Fiddler" Williams and The Soldier String Quartet. Mr. Thomas has taught at Reed and Marylhurst Colleges,and at Cornish College of the Arts. He is currently an Associate Professor of strings at Boston's Berklee College of Music.

Barry Olsen, a native New Yorker, began his professional career in the late 70's, playing trombone in the city's Latin dance music scene. Over the years, he has performed with many artists including Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Marc Anthony, and La India. He has also worked with David Byrne, Charlie Persip and many others. He is frequently heard in the orchestra of the Broadway hit The Lion King.

Freddie Bryant is a versatile musician skilled both in jazz and classical music with a Master’s degree in classical guitar from the Yale School of Music. Mr. Bryant has an extensive knowledge of Brazilian guitar. His most recent CD is with the group Trio del Sol. He recently performed at the Kennedy Center with the Billy Taylor Trio that was broadcast on the National Public Radio Show, "Live at the Kennedy Center." In 2004 he had the honor of being a Copeland Fellow, a composer in residence at Amherst College.

Rhythmic Prophecies Latin Jazz Ensemble
Percussionist Reinaldo De Jesus Corchado was born in Barrio Obrero, Santurce, Puerto Rico. He studied at Escuela Libre de Musica, the University of Puerto Rico, and the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. He has performed with salsa singers Charlie Cruz, Obie Bermudes, Rey Ruiz, and more. Mr. De Jesus Corchado also worked with Latin Jazz musicians such as Humberto Ramirez and Julio Alvarado, among others, and he has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Luques Curtis was born in Hartford, Connecticut and currently attends Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full scholarship. He was introduced to jazz as a member of the Artists Collective Youth Orchestra. As a sophomore at Berklee, Luques, who plays the bass, was invited by Donald Harrison to be a member of his quintet and has toured with Mr. Harrison at jazz festivals in Spain, Switzerland, and New Orleans.

Percussionist Richie Barshay performs internationally in a wide range of musical settings, including performances with Herbie Hancock among others. Mr. Brashay is a founding member of the internationally renowned contemporary Afro-Cuban jazz band, Insight, and is also a member of Khevre — a popular Klezmer ensemble promoting new Jewish music. Currently based in Boston, he is completing a bachelor's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Zaccai Curtis has been performing since the age of five. As a young child, he studied many styles of music including jazz, salsa and classical. As a high school student, Mr. Zaccai earned many festival musical awards and was recognized by Down Beat as a top piano performer. He was also chosen as the pianist for the National Grammy Band Combo. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the New England Conservatory. In 2003, Mr. Zaccai was chosen as a winner of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer's Competition.

Agora Latin Jazz Quartet
Born in South Carolina, a guitarist, composer and bandleader, Clay Ross was encouraged musically from a young age. After receiving a BFA from the University of Charleston, he became an integral part of the South Carolina jazz scene. Mr. Ross has been featured in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, First Night Charleston, the Charleston Jazz Festival, the Moja Arts Festival and the Asheville Jazz Composers Forum. He has also served as a guest clinician and artist at the University of Charleston.

Bassist Solomon Dorsey, a native of Kansas City, MO, now lives in Harlem, New York. He attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City and currently attends New School University in New York City. Mr. Dorsey spent three years playing with legendary alto saxophonist, Bobby Watson. He has also performed with Victor Lewis, Ralph Peterson, Jimmy Owens, Terrell Stafford, and John Hicks.

Nate Shaw has recorded four CDs with the group The Motion Poets, a jazz sextet that he helped found in 1993. The group has toured the United States dozens of times and their latest release, Lose You Mind and Come To You Senses, was awarded jazz record of the year at this year’s Minnesota music awards. He currently tours extensively with the New York based Afro-Cuban group, The New Power Trio. Mr. Shaw’s passion has always been music from around the globe, and he has spent time living and studying in Africa, Hong Kong, and China in pursuit of new sounds. As a performer, he integrates those influences into his keyboard playing. As a teacher, he has created many lesson plans to show the vital connection between music from other cultures and America's unique music, Jazz.

Born in Melbourne, Florida, drummer, percussionist, composer and recording artist Scott Kettner is creating a unique position for himself in the world of jazz and contemporary music. Since arriving in New York City in 1997, Mr. Kettner has performed with great artists from Cyro Baptista to Jane Ira Bloom. Mr. Kettner released his first CD, Holy Oak, as a bandleader in 2000. More recently, Mr. Kettner was the recipient of an artist grant from the Brooklyn Arts Council for his Brazilian percussion project, entitled Maracatu N.Y. in 2003.

Grupo Yanqui
Keyboardist, composer and producer, Bennett Paster is one of New York City's most creative and versatile musicians. He attended college simultaneously at Tufts University and New England Conservatory of Music, receiving both a BA in English and a BM in jazz studies. He has performed original music at clubs, concerts, and festivals throughout the United States, the Caribbean, the UK, and Norway. He is currently the musical director and keyboardist for Manhattan Records (EMI) artist, Melissa Errico.

Gregory Ryan received a BA in English and graduated with distinction from Stanford University. He went on to receive his masters in music, in the jazz and music division of the Manhattan School of Music. He has been a sideman, playing bass, to Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and other jazz performers. In 2004 he performed in, "What is Jazz Piano?" for Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz for Young Peoplesm concert. Presently, Mr. Ryan is involved with the Jazz Discovery Program, which allows elementary school students to experience jazz performance and demonstration in a real jazz club environment.

A professional drummer and educator, Keith Hall was born and raised in Battle Creek, MI. He received his bachelor of music in jazz studies from Western Michigan University and a master of arts in jazz studies from Queens College. In recent years, he served as a regular sub on Broadway's The Lion King and was the music director at Faith Exchange Fellowship. Mr. Hall has taught at his alma mater, New York University, and currently teaches at his home studio. Mr. Hall is the recipient of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation of Kalamazoo Grant for further study and also the United Arts Council of Calhoun County Grant to extend his studies.

Jim Seeley is currently a member of The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra and has been featured extensively on several of the late Chico O’Farrill’s CDs. Mr. Seeley is also a prominent soloist in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, which has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and in China.

Alejandro Aviles Latin Jazz Quartet
Alejandro Aviles received his B.S. in music education from Hofstra University and his masters in music from Manhattan School of Music. He has studied saxophone, improvisation, piano, and music arrangement. Alejandro has taught students of all ages and has also served as a faculty member of Oneonta Musical Festival. Mr. Aviles has conducted saxophone master classes at the Conservatory of Puerto Rico and served on the faculty of the International Jazz Workshop in Xalapa, Mexico.

Ricardo Rodriguez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He received his BA in double bass in classical music in Puerto Rico. He studied privately with multiple professors at the Berklee School of Music of Boston at their summer for Outstanding Musicians. Mr. Rodriguez has served as a professor at the Extension Programs of the Conservatory of Puerto Rico.

Composer, arranger, and drummer Henry Cole Rios studied at Conservatorio de Musicia in San Juan Puerto Rico, as well as Berklee College of Music and Columbia University during the summer of 2003. Currently, he is studying at the Manhattan School of Music, where he received a full scholarship. He has performed with artists David Sanchez, Dee Dee Bridgewater and others. Mr. Rios toured the U.S., Canada and Europe with several musicians and has also performed at several festivals.

Jason Erik Gillenwater graduated magna cum laude and received a bachelor of music degree from Berklee College. He received his masters in music from Manhattan School of Music with a major in jazz performance. Mr. Gillenwater has performed around New York and New England and has played throughout the U.S., Spain, and Latin America on tenor saxophone, clarinet, and flute. Mr. Gillenwater teaches saxophone, clarinet, and flute as a private instructor and also teaches at Merit Music in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Toni Blackman Hip-hop Ensemble
Toni Blackman is an international champion of hip-hop culture, known for her contagious performance style. She has shared the stage with Erykah Badu, Mos Def, The Roots, Wu Tang Clan, and others. Her first book, Inner-Course was released in 2003 (Villard/Random House). Ms. Blackman is highly respected as the founder and director of Freestyle Union, a workshop that uses freestyling as a tool to encourage social responsibility. Ms. Blackman is also a creative consultant for Sesame Workshop’s "The New Electric Company" and is recording new music for her debut album.

Bryon Hankins is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He began playing bass at age 14, and at 16, he began studying privately, which led him to Berklee College of Music. Now living in New York, Mr. Hankins records and performs with numerous artists in various venues.

Ivan Katz has been playing drums for 20 years. Born and raised in New York City, his style is a result of immersion in the sounds and vibrations of New York City. Mr. Katz specializes in soul, hip-hop, reggae, and dance beats. He has performed with numerous artists and played in numerous locales around the world.

Jeremy Mage started playing the piano when he was 8 and soon after, he began meddling with synthesizers. He grew up in upstate NY, riding the trailways bus to NYC on weekends where he was exposed to serious bass. He studied Indian classical music in Varanasi, Cuban timba in Havana, and learned jazz composition with John Esposito and James Hurt. Mr. Mage has played keyboard and produced music all over the world with Reggae, Hip Hop, Soul and African artists.

Opus Akoben Hip-hop Ensemble
Jay Nichols is a drummer and pianist. He producer and songwriter for television and film and is currently the drummer for international recording artist Citizen Cope. Mr. Nichols has performed in Japan, Europe, and across the U.S. performing his music and he lives in Washington D.C.

Terence (Sub-Z) Nicholson is an accomplished painter, musician and martial artist who co-founded the Freestyle Union in 1994. He attended the Corcoran School of Art on a scholarship for painting and sculpture. With childhood comrade, Carl Walker, Mr. Nicholson founded Opus Akoben in 1997. Mr. Nicholson remains active in the visual arts community and has also earned a black belt in Chinese boxing. He currently teaches martial arts to children with special needs in Washington, D.C., and exhibits his paintings and sculpture.

Kokayi (pronounced koh-kai-yee) brings people together with his incredible performance ability. He is multi-talented – singing, playing piano and drums, writing poetry, and creating visual art. His acclaimed freestyle ability earned him a spot on the board of the Freestyle Union, an organization dedicated to the art of hip-hop.

Ezra Greer started playing guitar at age 5 and switched to bass at age 8. He grew up playing in the very fertile scene of funk bands in the D.C. metro area and went on to produce tracks with hip-hop artists. In 1991, Mr. Greer produced an album with saxophonist Steve Coleman. He has been playing and producing with Opus Akoben since the group’s conception in 1995.

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Jazz at Lincoln Center is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to jazz. With the world-renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Afro-Latin Jazz 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. Jazz at Lincoln Center, with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will produce The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad, a program that compiles international tours that bring jazz and urban music groups to destinations throughout the world each year. The theme for 2006 tour is "latin jazz" and, in addition to performances, musicians will conduct educational programming such as master classes, lectures and radio and television appearances. All groups will have an opportunity to perform at free public performances at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola and in Washington D.C. prior to the tours. Other Jazz at Lincoln Center productions include concerts, national and international tours, residencies, weekly national radio and television programs, recordings, publications, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, a band director academy, a jazz appreciation curriculum for children, advanced training through the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies, music publishing, children’s concerts, lectures, adult education courses and student and educator workshops. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Chairman of the Board Lisa Schiff, President & CEO Derek E. Gordon, Executive Director Katherine E. Brown and Jazz at Lincoln Center board and staff, Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce hundreds of events during its 2005-06 season. In October 2004, Jazz at Lincoln Center opened Frederick P. Rose Hall - the first-ever performance, education and broadcast facility devoted to jazz. For more information, visit www.jalc.org.

U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs. The bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad Program presents selected professional American performers of jazz and urban music on concert tours in countries where there is limited exposure to live American culture. In 2005 the program is administered and produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center. The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program is the new name for the Jazz Ambassadors, and reflects the program’s inclusion of additional musical forms. Further information is available at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/citizens/culture/jazzamb.htm.

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