SEVEN AMERICAN JAZZ TRIOS TO TOUR
AFRICA, THE NEAR EAST, SOUTH ASIA, LATIN AND CENTRAL AMERICA AS
KENNEDY CENTER-DEPARTMENT OF STATE JAZZ AMBASSADORS
Each Trio to Perform a Free Millennium Stage Concert at the Kennedy Center:
May 16, 24, 31, August 21, September 6, 13, 20, 2001

Spring 2001 Trios
Bassist Pat O'Leary, Saxophonist Scott Robinson, and Pianist Larry Ham
Saxophonist Tedd Baker, Bassist Michael Blanco, and Pianist Doron Johnson
Drummer Bobby Kapp, Pianist Rob Bargad, and Bassist Gene Perla

Fall 2001 Trios
Keyboardist Adam Scone, Trumpeter Kevin Louis, and Drummer Aaron Thurston
Pianist Eric Byrd, Percussionist Alphonso Melvin Young and Bassist Bhagwan Khalsa
Bassist and Guitarist Jerome Harris, Flutist Jamie Baum, and Guitarist Sheryl Bailey
Bassist Mark Peterson, Guitarist David Gilmore and Trumpeter Eddie Allen

(Washington, DC, March 16) In August 2000 the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the United States Department of State selected seven jazz trios to represent American music overseas as 2000-2001 Kennedy Center-Department of State Jazz Ambassadors, three for Spring 2001 and four for Fall 2001 tours. The 2000-2001 Jazz Ambassadors will kick off their tours with free 6 p.m. concerts on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on the following dates: the Spring Jazz Ambassadors on Wednesday, May 16; Thursday, May 24; and Wednesday, May 30; the Fall Jazz Ambassadors on Tuesday, August 21; Thursday, September 6; Thursday, September 13 and Thursday, September 20. While on tour, the Jazz Ambassadors will perform under the auspices of American Embassies in Africa, the Near East, South Asia, Latin and Central America.

All the trios, who hail from throughout the United States, were selected by competitive auditions held in New York City at Steinway Hall. The Department of State will provide their overseas traveling expenses and a modest honorarium for each Jazz Ambassador. The tours, which usually last four to six weeks, are designated for countries that are not often visited by American musicians. In addition to public concerts, the visiting Jazz Ambassadors will conduct master classes and lecture-recitals for local musicians. While on tour, the Jazz Ambassadors' performances will highlight the work and improvisational musical style of Louis Armstrong, celebrating the 100th year of his birth.

The Kennedy Center and the Department of State are entering the fifth year of a partnership created to showcase some of this country's most talented musicians in performances that include contemporary American music. In 1997, the Kennedy Center and the DOS joined in presenting classical musicians as Artistic Ambassadors; in 1998, the Kennedy Center and the DOS jointly presented jazz musicians in the Jazz Ambassadors program, which will continue through the year 2002. [To download an application, or for more information about the Jazz Ambassadors program, visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/ambassadors]

Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser commented, "As these Jazz Ambassadors showcase the work of Louis Armstrong, the preeminent jazz musician, the Center is pleased to present these talented performers in concert and conversation across the globe. This important program provides excellent opportunities for understanding between talented Americans who represent the United States through music and the people of other countries who hear our artists. I am delighted to continue our relationship with the Department of State through the Jazz Ambassadors program."

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Dr. Helena Kane Finn said, "The Jazz Ambassadors program has been a key element in introducing audiences around the world to gifted American musicians and to an art form that so resonantly captures the American spirit. The Department of State looks forward to its continued partnership with the Kennedy Center in this dynamic public diplomacy effort."

The seven 2000-2001 Jazz Ambassador trios, plus three alternate trios, were selected from among 75 trios who submitted applications and auditioned for this exciting program. The jury panel consisted of trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater, vocalist Vanessa Rubin, pianist Junior Mance, and Derek E. Gordon, vice president for education at the Kennedy Center.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, under the leadership of James A. Johnson, chairman, and Michael M. Kaiser, president, is the nation's performing arts center and a Presidential Memorial. The Center's programs reflect the institution's commitment to the recognition and celebration of the rich heritage of the American people through the presentation of the finest and most diverse performing arts offerings from the United States and throughout the world. To nurture the continued vitality of the arts in America, the Center's Education Department, under the direction of Derek E. Gordon, vice president for education and jazz programming, holds as its mission the provision of opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and to experience the performing arts. For more information about the Kennedy Center and its programs, please visit its web site: http://www.kennedy-center.org. Jazz Ambassador applications and information may be obtained from: http://www.kennedy-center.org/ambassadors

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, 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. Further information is available at http://exchanges.state.gov.

KENNEDY CENTER PUBLIC INFORMATION:
(202) 467-4600; 1-800 444-1324

Biographies of Artists, Millennium Stage Dates and Tour Schedules
Schedule for Spring 2001
Kennedy Center-Department of State Jazz Ambassadors
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Dates and Tour Countries

Internet Broadcasts
Internet broadcasts of Millennium Stage events allow anyone with Internet access to view both live and past performances, in the archives of the Website, by visiting kennedy-center.org or washingtonpost.com.

Millennium Stage, Wednesday May 16: Jubilee Jazz Trio (Pat O'Leary, Scott Robinson, and Larry Ham)

Bassist Pat O'Leary takes pride in bringing his art form to those who are not exposed to American Jazz. In 1980 he received his bachelor's degree in music from the Crane School of Music, where he teaches the electric bass. Among O'Leary's numerous list of recordings and performances, he has recorded on Lionel Hampton's CD, Sentimental Journey. He currently performs with the Perth Jazz Orchestra big band.

One of today's most wide-ranging instrumentalists, Scott Robinson has been heard on tenor sax with Buck Clayton's band, on trumpet with Lionel Hampton's quintet, on alto clarinet with Paquito D'Rivera's clarinet quartet, and on bass sax with the New York City Opera. Mr. Robinson has performed in over thirty nations, throughout five continents. A respected musicians in all areas of jazz, from traditional to avant-grade, Mr. Robinson has developed a unique musical voice.

Pianist Larry Ham is recognized as a seasoned and creative pianist who is active on the jazz scene performing, tutoring, and recording with many of today's jazz artists. Mr. Ham toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and was the featured soloist with the Illinois Jacquet Big Band. He has played in numerous international festivals and throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. He now teaches, performs, and promotes with his own company, West Village Music.

O'Leary/Robinson/Ham Department Of State Tour Dates: May 19-July 7
Cameroon
Chad
Niger
Burkina
Faso
Benin
Nigeria
Ghana
Cote d'Ivoire
Guinea
Senegal

Millennium Stage, Thursday, May 24: Doron Johnson Trio (Tedd Baker, Michael Blanco, and Doron Johnson)

Tedd Baker, saxophonist, received his bachelor's degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory before working towards his master's degree at Queens College. Mr. Baker has played with artist such as Slide Hampton, Ravi Coltrane George Garzone, Artie Shaw, Darren Barrett, Ray Santos, Mike Mossman, John Lockwood, and Ron Savage. In 1996, he received a Boston Jazz Society Performance Award and in 2000, he was a Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship Competition semi-finalist.

Michael Blanco, bassist, received his bachelor's degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas in 1998. As a student he performed with such artists as Doc Cheatham, David Liebman, Bob Dorough, Bobby Shew, Eddie Bert Herb Ellis, Danny Gottlieb, Carl Allen, and Randy Becker. Presently, Mr. Blanco plays with local groups, including the John Chin Trio, the Robert Gomez Trio, the Alan Ferber Sextet, and the Matt Otto Quartet.

Pianist Doron Johnson has been described by Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe as "a propulsive player akin to what one expects from a veteran." Mr. Johnson has worked with numerous jazz legends, including John Faddis, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Aretha Franklin, Roy Hargrove, Donald Harrison, and Vanessa Rubin, among others. At the age of 21 he obtained his master's degree in one year from the Boston Conservatory of Music and began work on his doctorate. Johnson's debut CD is titled Stride Ways.

Baker/Blanco/Johnson Department of State Tour Dates: May 27 - July 14
Uruguay
Bolivia
Ecuador
Venezuela
Jamaica
Guatemala
El Salvador
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama

Millennium Stage, Wednesday, May 30: Fine Wine Trio (Rob Bargad, Bobby Kapp, and Gene Perla)

After studying at Rutgers University in Princeton, New Jersey, Rob Bargad, pianist/composer/arranger, moved to New York and joined the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, which toured the United States, Japan and Europe. In 1991, Mr. Bargad joined the Nat Adderley Quintet, where he remained for seven years, touring extensively and recording eight CDs. Rob has recorded two CD's as a leader: "Better Times" (Criss Cross) in 1994 and "The Shadow of Your Smile" (Alfa Jazz) in 1996. During his career he has worked with such renowned artists as Little Jimmy Scott, Dakota Station, Yoichi "Monkey" Kobayashi, Phillip Harper, Mark Gross, Carolyn Leonhart, and Jimmy Cobb, among others.

Bobby Kapp, drummer and vocalist, studied at the Berklee School of Music and has been actively involved in the New York City jazz scene since the early 60s. Mr. Kapp was a Top Ten semi-finalist in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International vocal competition and was the featured vocalist and drummer in the San Miguel International Jazz Festival from 1994-1999. In 2000, he was co-leader of Back to the Future Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival and has finished his second recording with the Fine Wine Trio.

Gene Perla, bassist, began his study of classical piano at the age of five in Northeastern New Jersey. Mr. Perla enrolled in the Berklee School of Music and became inspired to play bass after hearing the music of Charlie Haden. In 1966, he moved to New York City and landed his first major gig with The Willie Bobo Sextet. During his career he played with such artists as Carlos "Potato" Valdez, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Chick Korea, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Joni Mitchell, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Wilson. Mr. Perla has developed careers as an educator, theatrical sound designer, New York City recording studio co-owner and internet specialist.

Bargad/Kapp/Perla Department Of State Tour Dates: May 31 - July 7
Morocco
Egypt
Zambia
Kenya
Jordan

Schedule for Fall 2001
Kennedy Center-Department of State Jazz Ambassadors
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Dates and Tour Countries

Internet Boadcasts of Millennium Stage events allow anyone with Internet access to view both live and past performances, in the archives of the Website, by visiting kennedy-center.org or washingtonpost.com.

Millennium Stage Performance, Tuesday, August 21: Adam Scone, Kevin Louis, and Aaron Thurston

Organist Adam Scone is quickly being recognized since his move to New York City five years ago. He enjoys working with a variety of musical genres including jazz, funk, blues, and rock. Over the past five years Mr. Scone has toured overseas and recorded eight albums. He worked with such artists as Jimmy Cobb, Ben Dixon, Bubba Brooks, and Fred Thomas. Mr. Scone is currently working on his debut recording as a leader.

Trumpeter Kevin Louis, a native of New Orleans, was inspired to pursue a career in music at age nine. Mr. Lewis graduated from Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a bachelor's degree in jazz performance and is currently pursuing his master's at Queens College in New York. His repertoire of music includes gospel, jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, merengue, and salsa. He studied such noted jazz musicians as Clyde Kerr Jr., Edward Jordan, Kenneth Davis, and Stacy Cole, among others.

Drummer Aaron Thurston toured the Middle East, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Central America as a 1999-2000 Jazz Ambassador. He has performed throughout Boston, where he entertained every Sunday for over two years at the famous Wally's Café, the city's oldest jazz club. In 1998, Mr. Thurston moved to New York City where he has led and accompanied numerous artists on stage and in the studio. He currently still leads his group, The Aaron Thurston Trio, throughout various venues in New York City.

Scone/Louis/Thurston Department Of State Tour Dates: To be announced
Southern Africa (Specific dates and countries to be released at a later date)

Millennium Stage Performance, Thursday, September 6: Eric Byrd, Alphonso Melvin Young & Bhagwan Khalsa

Pianist Eric Byrd was born in 1970 and raised outside Philadelphia, where he grew up listening to his father's swing and be-bop records. He dedicated his piano playing to the Howard Burns Quartet since 1990 and has played on Ron Kearns' live release, and Thad Wilson Big Band's debut CD as well as one of his own trio recordings. Mr. Byrd's creative career is in its early stages of development.

Percussionist Alphonso Melvin Young, was born in Hampton, Virginia in 1965. After attending Shenandoah University for his Bachelor 's degree in music education, Mr. Young received a full-tuition scholarship from the University of Miami, FL. for graduate school. Presently he has been performing with the Robert Larson Trio, Charles Brubeck Quartet, Larry Elder Trio, Yvette Spears Quartet, Nia Olabesi Quartet, Debbie Kirkland Group, Howard Burns Quartet, pianist William Knowles and the Eric Byrd Trio. His wide range of recent recordings include a PBS three part series Stealing Time, National Geographic The Secret Lives of Cats, and commercials for the National Institute of Health.

The multi-ethnic and diverse playing style of bassist Bhagwan Khalsa is reflected in the various artists with whom he has worked: David "Fathead" Newman, Kenny Drew, Jr., Buck Hill, Sonny Fortune, John Hicks, Ronnie Wells, Oliver Lake, Gary Thomas, Mark Schim, Arthur Blythe, Cecil Payne, Allison Miller, and Elsworth Gibson. Currently, Khalsa works as a freelance musician with top jazz, blues, contemporary and Latin musicians in the Washington, D.C. area.

Byrd/Young/Khalsa Department Of State Tour Dates: To be announced
Colombia
Bolivia
Chile
Trinidad
Peru
Honduras

Millennium Stage Performance, Thursday, September 13: Jerome Harris, Jamie Baum, and Sheryl Bailey

Bassist and guitarist Jerome Harris brings a wonderfully warm, full sound to the music he plays. Mr. Harris received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and later went on to receive his Bachelor of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music. His creative styles range from Sonny Rollins and Jack DeJohnette to Bill Frisell and Bobby Previte. His latest album by his group Stereophile includes six original works by Harris.

Flutist and Composer Jamie Baum previously toured Central and South America as a 1999-2000 Jazz Ambassador. She has lived in New York for ten years, working as a leader and accompanist for many musicians, including Paul Motion, Randy Becker, Billy Hart, Mick Goodrich, George Russell, and many more. Ms. Baum has developed a powerful personal style from her many influences of jazz, blues, and Latin cultures. Aside from teaching improvisation, ear training, compositional techniques, and flute, she has developed two very successful workshops: "A Fear-free Approach to Improvisation for the Classically-Trained Musician" and "A Jazz Flute Survey/Retrospective."

A Jazz Ambassador in 1999-2000, guitarist Sheryl Bailey placed third in the 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition. She received her bachelor's degree of in music in 1988 from the Berklee College of Music and contributed to the recording of six albums. Ms. Bailey has toured throughout the United States as well as Europe and Japan. She dedicates a majority of her time to teaching, tutoring, and leading workshops for upcoming guitarists.

Harris/Baum/Bailey Department Of State Tour Dates: To be announced
India
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Israel

Millennium Stage Performance, Thursday, September 20: Mark Peterson, David Gilmore, and Eddie Allen

Bassist and composer Mark Peterson's first professional job as a musician was on a six-month Caribbean tour as bassist and chief musical director for the Americana Orchestra. During his tour, Mr. Peterson was influenced by the diverse music history of the Caribbean Islands. In 1999 he released his first recording as a leader, entitled The Blue Room. Currently, Mark is recording Alain N'Kossi Konda's first CD release and is working as a bassist for the Broadway musical, Miss Saigon.

In 1984, David Gilmore moved to New City to attend New York University. Since then Mr. Gilmore has become one of the most sought after guitarists on the jazz scene. While attending school, he caught the attention of many fledging artists, including saxophonist Steve Coleman, with whom he joined to form the group 5 Elements, and later embarked on his first European tour. Mr. Gilmore is known for his versatility, unique rhythmic sensibilities, and for experimenting in such open-minded and creative projects as The M-Base Collective. Along with his strong desire for new exploration in music, Mr. Gilmore is an accomplished and inspiring teacher. He was honored in 1994 with an award from the 21st Annual International Association of Jazz Educators Convention for outstanding service to jazz education.

Trumpeter and composer Eddie Allen studied music theory in Wisconsin before moving to New York to begin spreading his versatile approach to jazz. He has performed and recorded with such jazz greats as Art Blakey, Billy Harper, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Watson, Etta Jones, Houston Person, Jon Faddis, Panama Francis, Henry Threadgill, and Joe Henderson. He leads a quartet and quintet as well as a big band, which plays his compositions and arrangements.

Peterson/Gilmore/Allen Department Of State Tour Dates: To be announced
Syria
Oman
Kuwait
Qatar
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Saudi Arabia