WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today the 2011 late 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. To date, 159 musicians from 41 ensembles have toured with the program visiting more than 100 countries on five continents. The 2012 winter tours will be announced later this year.

The Ari Roland Jazz Quartet, a jazz group from New York City, will travel November 5 – December 4 to five countries in West Africa. Beginning November 2, Mountain Quickstep, the Beacon, New York-based bluegrass ensemble, will travel to Eastern Europe for a month-long tour. The Kate McGarry Quartet, a Durham, North Carolina-based jazz group, will travel to China and Mongolia from November 26-December 21. 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. Currently scheduled programs include:

The Ari Roland Jazz Quartet will tour Democratic Republic of Congo (November 5-12), Mauritania (November 13-18), Senegal (November 19-23), Niger (November 24-27), and Mali (November 28-December 4).

Mountain Quickstep will tour Kosovo (November 2-5), Bulgaria (November 6-12), Moldova (November 13-17), and Turkey (November 18-28).

The Kate McGarry Quartet will tour China (November 26-December 14), and Mongolia (December 15-21).

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.