The Chris Byars Quartet (top); AFAR (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.

The Chris Byars Quartet plays original music based on a lifelong study of great jazz masters. The band has been performing together for two decades, and has also toured extensively, most recently to Russia and Central Asia as part of the 2006-7 Rhythm Road program. Download audiofiles.

AFAR is an instrumental hip-hop band with jazz, R&B and gospel influences. Committed to pushing the boundaries of the way hip-hop defines itself, the group focuses on three concepts: live music, unity and education. Through performances, recordings and educational workshops, the band seeks to spread the message that in this age of electronic music, live instrumental performance remains the source of it all. Download audiofiles.

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