The Maya Azucena Band (top); Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants (bottom)
Photographs courtesy JALC

The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad is a program developed by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to identify talented jazz and urban music artists in the United States and give them a chance to perform internationally before a wide variety of audiences. For the third year in a row, these talented young artists will perform at National Geographic, some before leaving the States on their world tours, and some after returning from abroad. We will be presenting five of these programs, January 17 and 24, March 27, April 17, and May 1.

With musical influences ranging from Earth Wind & Fire to Ella Fitzgerald, The Maya Azucena Band bridges the genres of soul, hip-hop, world and funk music. Through their "raw soul" sound and progressive lyrics, the band seeks to uplift communities worldwide. Download audiofiles.

Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants integrate jazz and blues influences with inflections of rhythms and melodies from around the world. The group's mission is to exchange their spirit and music with audiences worldwide as literal merchants of sound. Download audiofiles.

This series is presented with generous support from media sponsor WPFW radio, at 89.3 FM.