American Masterpieces Archive
2008-2009 American Masterpieces: Rhythm and Roots Tour
Mid Atlantic's American Masterpieces Rhythm & Roots Tour celebrated the region’s rich musical heritage through tours of four venerable legends of uniquely American music forms, including jazz, gospel, and bluegrass. The Foundation provided 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 performed pieces from their repertoire that exemplified and celebrated genres or works that are artistically, historically and culturally significant.
Click here to view the American Masterpieces: Rhythm & Roots Tour Brochure.
2008-2009 American Masterpieces Rhythm & Roots Tour Roster
JAZZ
Jimmy Heath
NEA Jazz Master and MAAF Living Legacy Jazz 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 toured in 2008-2009 as a quartet and/or with his noted big band, “The Jimmy Heath Big Band”.
http://www.jimmyheath.com/
10/4/2008 |
Algonquin Arts, Manasquan, NJ |
11/20/2008 |
Penn State University, University Park, PA |
11/22/2008 |
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD |
3/5/2009 |
Delaware Valley Arts Consortium, Malvern, PA |
3/7/2009 |
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, PA |
4/3/2009 |
Community Arts Partnerships at the Peddie School, Hightstown, NJ |
5/8/2009 |
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ |
 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 Grammys.
http://mccoytyner.com
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Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA |
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Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, Washington, DC |
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Inter-Media Art Center, Huntington, NY |
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New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ |
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Penn State University, University Park, PA |
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Purchase College, Purchase, NY |
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Berks Jazz Festival, Reading, PA |
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Strathmore Hall, North Bethesda, MD |
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Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, New York, NY |
FOLK/TRADITIONAL
 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 PennPAT roster.
http://www.concertedefforts.com/artists_dixi.html
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University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD |
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ArtsQuest, Bethlehem, PA |
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Titusville Council on the Arts, Titusville, PA |
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Butler County Community College, Butler, PA |
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Avalon Performing Arts Council, Avalon, NJ |
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Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA |
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Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia, Charleston, WV |
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Reading Area Community College, Reading, PA |
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Tug Valley Arts Council, Williamson, WV |
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Smoot Theater Corporation, Parkersburg, WV |
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Randolph County Community Arts Council, Elkins, WV |
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Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE |
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Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, Woodstock, VA |
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Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA |
 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, he 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.
http://www.ralphstanley.net/
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Fiddle Fest, Roanoke, VA |
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Buckhill Falls Summer Concert Series, New York, NY |
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The Community Arts Center Foundation, South Boston, VA |
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The Country Music Association of West Virginia, Lost Creek, WV |
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West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Parkersburg, WV |
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Carnegie Hall, Lewisburg, WV |
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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival, Bristol, VA |
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Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV |
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Tug Valley Arts Council, Williamson, WV |
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Susquehanna Folk Music Society, New Cumberland, PA |
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Weinberg Center , Frederick, MD |
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Hamilton College, Clinton, NY |
Funding for these tours
is made possible with support from the National
Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces Program.
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