• Genre :: Jazz
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The Cultures of Rhythm is a New York-based collective of experienced young musicians from a variety of musical backgrounds. Comprising current and former members of such groups as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, French Kicks, Isley Brothers, Mofro, and Kevin Jones and Tenth World, diversity is the group's greatest asset. With a wide variety of perspectives represented, the players find common ground on a fundamental level, and the resulting musical explorations are a celebration of soulfulness, distilled into exciting new forms.

Kevin Louis (bandleader, trumpet), a New Orleans native, graduated from Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a degree in jazz performance and earned a Master's Degree from Queens College. His repertoire includes gospel, funk, jazz, rhythm and blues, merengue, and salsa. Mr. Louis has studied with such noted musicians as Clyde Kerr Jr., Edward Jordan, Kenneth Davis, Stacy Cole and Bobby Watson and has worked in the bands of Living Colour drummer Wil Calhoun and the hip-hop artist Mos Def. This tour marks his fifth trip with the U.S. State Department—he has previously toured the U.S., Japan, Europe, Southern Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

"Bujo" Kevin Jones (congas, djembe, percussion) has been playing professionally since age 13 and has performed worldwide. Influenced by a wide range of percussion traditions, he has collaborated with a diverse group of artists spanning the genres of R&B, jazz, Latin jazz, African, Neo-African, and hip-hop. Whether backing up The Isley Brothers and Whitney Houston, performing alongside Randy Weston, Hilton Ruiz, and Steve Turre, or playing traditional African music with Malaki Ma Congo Drum and Dance Ensemble, Bujo constantly strives to balance creativity and the art of improvisation with a good groove. In addition to performing and recording, he is a clinician and teacher at several organizations and also produces recordings for other artists.

Adam Scone (organ) has dedicated his life to keeping the sound of the Hammond B3 organ alive. He has been playing organ in the popular band Mofro since 2004, touring throughout the United States, Europe, and Russia. In the past year the group has performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival and the Austin City Limits Music Festival, among others. Mr. Scone has also worked in alto saxophone legend Lou Donaldson's band and with such jazz greats as Jimmy Cobb, Ben Dixon, and Bubba Brooks. He participated in several U.S. State Department tours from 2001-2003, enabling him to bring the organ sound to 18 countries in Africa, South America and throughout the Middle East.

Aaron Thurston (drums) is currently a member of the pop/rock outfit French Kicks. From 1999-2003, Mr. Thurston toured 28 countries for the U.S. State Department, bringing jazz to regions such as Southern Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Southern Asia. As a member of French Kicks, he has toured throughout the United States and England, including performances on the American television programs "The Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and "Last Call with Carson Daly." When he is not touring, Mr. Thurston is based in New York City, where he performs in jazz, rock, pop, folk, singer-songwriter, Brazilian, and country bands, among others.