US Department of StateNEW YORK, N.Y. /New York Netwire/ — The New York-based Clinton Curtis Band will tour Central and South America, and the Caribbean as part of the U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad Program, organized by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Songwriter Clinton Curtis founded The Clinton Curtis Band in 2008 with the goal of uniting numerous musical influences to create a modern interpretation of “American Roots Music.” The band draws from Gospel, Delta Blues, R&B, Soul, Dixieland, Jazz, Country, Folk, Funk, Rock, Reggae and Ska.

The Rock/Blues ensemble will tour the Dominican Republic (January 30-February 4), Nicaragua (February 5-11), Honduras (February 12-18), El Salvador (February 19-25) and Colombia (February 26-March 4). Tour activities will include public concerts, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, media outreach, and collaborations with local musicians.

The American Music Abroad program, a partnership with American Voices, sends American musical groups overseas to engage with audiences and communities, especially underserved youth. American Music Abroad is part of the Department of State’s cultural diplomacy efforts, which support people-to-people connections and foster mutual understanding through the arts.

This season’s 12 participating American Music Abroad groups were selected from a pool of nearly 300 applicants to travel to more than 40 countries. For more information, please visit http://exchanges.state.gov/cultural/ama.html