WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the 2011 fall tour schedule for The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Using music and culture as diplomatic tools to bring people together and foster mutual understanding, The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad is the premier 21st Century showcase of traditional American musical forms.

The Earth String Band, a bluegrass group from Boston, MA, will travel September 10 – October 9 to five countries in Asia. Beginning October 5, the New York, New York-based Paul Beaudry and Pathways, a jazz ensemble, will travel to South and Central Asia for a month-long tour. While on tour, these American musicians will conduct public concerts, master classes, workshops, jam sessions, and collaborations with local musicians and communities.

This season’s 10 bands were selected from applications by more than 100 ensembles and will travel to more than 40 countries during month-long tours. Exact tour dates and locations are as follows:

The Earth String Band will tour Laos (September 10-14), Thailand (September 15-20), Burma (September 21-25), Timor Leste (September 27-30), and South Korea (October 2-9).

Paul Beaudry & Pathways will tour Kazakhstan (October 5-13), Kyrgyzstan (October 14-19), Bangladesh (October 21-24), and India (October 24-November 2).

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs promotes international mutual understanding through a range of academic, cultural, professional, and sports exchange programs. The Bureau’s exchanges engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in many fields in the United States and in more than 160 countries. Alumni of the Bureau’s exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and more than 320 current or former heads of state and government.

For more information visit www.exchanges.state.gov/cultural/rhythm.html .