TEN AMERICAN JAZZ TRIOS SELECTED TO
TOUR AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST,
SOUTH ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA AS
1999-2000 KENNEDY CENTER-USIA JAZZ AMBASSADORS

Each Trio to Perform a Free Millennium Stage Concert at Kennedy Center:
Dates are September 19, 20, 22, 23, and 25, 1999 with Five Spring 2000 Dates to be Announced

Fall 1999 Trios Flutist Jamie Baum, Guitarist Sheryl Bailey, and Bassist/Guitarist Jennifer Vincent of New York, NY Vocalist and Trumpeter Matt Lewis, Pianist Ben Lewis, and Guitarist Neal Alger of Chicago, IL Pianist Doron Johnson and Bassist Ian Martin of Dorchester, MA, and Drummer Aaron Thurston of New York Banjo player James Smith of New York, Tuba player Eric Henry and Clarinetist Paul Butler of Pennsylvania Drummer Allison Miller, Bassist Carlo DeRosa and Pianist Timo Elliston of New York, NY Spring 2000 Trios Guitarist Steve Homan, Pianist Joe Gilman, and Vocalist Joyce Diamond of Sacramento, CA Percussionist Renardo Ward, Bassist Tim Goodwin, and Pianist Eugene Rush of Tennessee Guitarist Vinny Valentino and Percussionist Gilad Dobrecky of NJ, and Bassist John Benitez of New York Pianist Matt Ray, Bassist Michael Hawkins, and Drummer Aaron Thurston of New York Vocalist Angela Hagenbach, Pianist Joseph Cartwright, and Bassist Steven Rigazzi of Kansas City, MO

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the United States Information Agency (USIA) today jointly announce the selection of ten jazz trios to represent American music overseas as1999-2000 Kennedy Center-USIA Jazz Ambassadors. They will perform under the auspices of American Embassies in sixty countries in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America. To kick off their tours each trio will perform a free 6 p.m. concert at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. The first five concerts will be Sunday and Monday, September 19-20; Wednesday and Thursday, September 22-23; and Saturday, September 25. The remaining five trios will perform on the Millennium Stage in Spring 2000, when their tours commence (dates to be determined).

The ten trios, who hail from throughout the United States, were selected by competitive auditions held in New York. USIA 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.

This year's Jazz Ambassadors program marks the third year of a partnership between the Kennedy Center and the USIA created to showcase some of this country's most talented musicians in performances that include contemporary American music, and the second year of the Jazz Ambassadors program. In 1997, the Kennedy Center and the USIA joined in presenting classical musicians as Artistic Ambassadors; in 1998, for the first time, the Kennedy Center and the USIA jointly presented jazz musicians.

Kennedy Center President Lawrence J. Wilker commented, "In this year celebrating the 100th birthday of Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington, the preeminent jazz ambassador, the Center is pleased to present these talented performers in concert and conversation across the globe."

USIA Acting Director Penn Kemble added, "Over the years, USIA's Jazz Ambassadors program has played an important role in introducing overseas audiences to many talented Americans and an art form so symbolic of the American spirit. We look forward to continued cooperation with the private sector in this effort."

The ten 1999-2000 Jazz Ambassador trios, plus three alternate trios, were selected from among 60 trios who submitted applications and auditioned for this exciting program. The jury panel consisted of trumpeter Jimmy Owens, vocalist Vanessa Rubin, pianist Junior Mance, pianist Stanley Cowell, and Derek 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 Lawrence J. Wilker, 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 Gordon, vice president for education, 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

The United States Information Agency, headed by Acting Director Penn Kemple, is an independent foreign affairs agency within the executive branch that explains and supports United States foreign policy and national security interests abroad through a wide range of information programs. The Agency promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through a series of educational and cultural exchange activities conducted by its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. USIA's educational and cultural programs include the Fulbright scholarship program, the International Visitor program, and the Citizen Exchanges program. Other USIA programs include the Voice of America, Radio and TV Marti, the WORLDNET satellite television system, the daily Wireless File news wire, three Foreign Press Centers in the United States, and a network of overseas resource and cultural centers. The USIA domestic server can be accessed through http://www.usia.gov or through most search engines on the Internet.