For the third year, National Geographic Live presents evenings of free concerts in Washington, D.C. featuring musicians from “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad” program.  The program, co-developed by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, gives talented jazz and urban musicians from around the United States the chance to perform for international audiences. 

Each Thursday evening concert will feature performances from two groups whose work highlights America’s unique contribution to the world of music.  Many of the groups performing at National Geographic are making their last stop in the United States before their overseas tours begin, while others are just returning.

This year’s line-up includes:

March 27--The Maya Azucena Band (6p) presents music influenced by artists ranging from Earth, Wind & Fire to Ella Fitzgerald, bridging the genres of soul, hip-hop, world and funk music; Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants (7:15p) integrate heavy jazz and blues with rhythms and melodies from all around the world.
 
April 17--Devin Phillips & New Orleans Straight Ahead (6p) play modern jazz spiced with
the rich musical traditions of New Orleans, celebrating the unique musical heritage of the birthplace of jazz; The Dana Leong Band (7:15 p) combines live grooves, electronically charged tracks, rhyme and reason into a unique fusion of modern beats.

May 1 --Chris Byars Quartet (6p) has been performing music based on a lifelong study of great jazz masters for more than two decades; AFAR (7:15p) is an instrumental hip-hop band with jazz, R&B and gospel influences.

All concerts in “The Rhythm Road” series are free; no reservations or tickets are required. Performances will take place in Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M Street N.W., Washington. For more information, please contact the National Geographic ticket office at (202) 857-7700, 9a to 5p. Monday through Friday.  Parking is free.

Click here for music samples and bios for each group.

Coming Up At National Geographic Live!: Taking Root:  The Vision of Wangari Maathi - A U.S. Premiere

Photo: Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants

Ebony Magazine is looking for intriguing singles ages 21 and older to apply for their annual Bachelors and Bachelorettes issue. If selected, a short bio and photo will appear in a future issue of Ebony.

The application must be filled out by the interested bachelor or bachelorette. Names cannot be submitted on anyone's behalf.  The deadline is March 15, 2008.


 

Another bio-musical hits Washington.  However, this one is really artistically as well as musically entertaining.   The musical is all about Alberta Hunter who had a high flying musical career until 1956.  She briefly returned to the entertainment industry in 1961, began a career in nursing only to reappear on stage in 1977 at age of 82.  She continued to perform at The Cookery until shortly before her death in 1984.

What is artistically challenging is the play’s two actresses’ abilities to smoothly switch between playing the younger and older Hunter.  Dora Mavor Award (Canada’s Tony) winner Jackie Richardson plays the older Hunter and Washington native Janice Lorraine plays the younger Hunter and briefly several other characters including Louie Armstrong.  The two-hour play runs until Sunday March 9.
  

          
T. Michael Colbert, our print issue’s incarcerated contributor, is open to questions from readers.  Colbert, who writes for the department “The Other Side,” wrote “The Gym Cell” is the current issue.  When submitting your question, please include your name and city, and look for your answer in an upcoming print issue of Port of Harlem.