Press Releases

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Announces
American Masterpieces: Rhythm & Roots Tour

Baltimore, MD: Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has announced its roster for the 2008-2009 season as part of the National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”) American Masterpieces project. The Mid Atlantic American Masterpieces Rhythm & Roots Tour celebrates the region’s rich musical heritage through tours of four venerable legends of the uniquely American music forms of jazz, gospel, and bluegrass.   The Foundation will provide support for the presentations of Jimmy Heath, McCoy Tyner, The Dixie Hummingbirds, and Ralph Stanley in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia during the 2008-2009 season.

As part of the Rhythm & Roots Tour, artists will perform pieces from their repertoire that exemplify and celebrate genres or works that are artistically, historically and culturally significant. Artists are available for booking between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  

2008-2009 American Masterpieces Rhythm & Roots Tour Roster

Jimmy Heath
NEA Jazz Master and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Mellon Jazz Living Legacy Award recipient Jimmy Heath is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator who has performed with nearly all of the jazz greats over the past 50 years.  As the middle brother to the legendary Philadelphia-raised Heath Brothers, Jimmy still tours with his brother, drummer Tootie, and will be touring in 2008-2009 as a quartet and/or with his noted big band, “The Jimmy Heath Big Band”.

McCoy Tyner
NEA Jazz Master McCoy Tyner was the 17-year-old pianist for John Coltrane’s 1960 classic recording, “My Favorite Things” and, as such, became the core for one of the most seminal jazz groups of all time.  His blues-based piano style, replete with sophisticated chords and an explosively percussive left hand has transcended conventional styles to become one of the most identifiable sounds in improvised music.  Tyner has released nearly 80 albums under his name and has earned four Grammy Awards.

The Dixie Hummingbirds
The Dixie Hummingbirds are an American institution. While they have always remained deeply rooted in the gospel tradition, their influence has made itself known far and wide in American popular music. Formed in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina, and now calling Philadelphia home, the “Birds” have been performing uninterrupted for 77 years.  They were awarded the 2000 NEA National Heritage Award and the 2006 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award. The group is currently on the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (“PennPAT”) roster. 

Ralph Stanley
Known in the world of bluegrass music for his unique style of banjo playing. Stanley was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992, and, in 2000, became the first person of the new millennium to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Stanley is a 1984 NEA National Heritage awardee, 2002 Grammy Award winner, and a 2006 recipient of the National Medal of Arts.

Presenters interested in booking any of the 2008-2009 American Masterpieces Rhythm & Roots Tour artists and receiving support should contact the groups’ agents directly. While there is no application process involved for American Masterpieces Tour funding, funds are limited.  Presenters are encouraged to pursue this opportunity and secure artist engagements as soon as possible to increase their chance of receiving funds. 

Agent Contact Information

Jimmy Heath
Laurel Wicks or Jamie Ziefert, Ted Kurland Associates
Phone: 617-254-0007
Email: laurel@tedkurland.com or james@tedkurland.com
http://www.jimmyheath.com/

McCoy Tyner
Jeanna Disney, International Music Network
Phone: 978-283-2883 
Email: jeanna@imnworld.com
http://mccoytyner.com/

The Dixie Hummingbirds
Mike Leahy or Dan Peraino, Concerted Efforts
Phone: 617-969-0810 
Email: mike@concertedefforts.com  or dan@concertedefforts.com
http://www.concertedefforts.com/artists_dixi.html

Ralph Stanley
Lee Olsen, Keith Case & Associates
Phone: 615-327-4646 
Email: lee@keithcase.com
http://www.ralphstanley.net/

For more information on the Rhythm & Roots Tour, please click here.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports the richness and diversity of the region’s arts resources and promotes wider access to the art and artists of the region, nation and world.