Jazz Road Tours

Overview

Jazz Road Tours supports three- to six-site tours at an array of venue types, often in rural communities and other areas traditionally underserved by the genre. This artist-centric grant program is made possible with funds from the Doris Duke Foundation with additional support from the Mellon Foundation.

Eligibility

• Professional jazz artist, working solo or in a composer-led or collective ensemble of 2-10 musicians
• Age 18 or over and not currently a full-time student
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident based in the U.S. or its territories
• Previous grantees must wait at least one year from the previous grant's project end date to reapply

Tour Requirements

• Three to six sites on contiguous dates
• Total distance of at least 250 miles or reach at least one site 250 miles from home base
• Must occur within designated dates for each grant cycle
• Public performances (admission, suggested donations, or free)
• All presenters expected to make significant promotion efforts

Award Amount

Artists may apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to cover eligible expenses, including up to $2,500 for non-musician personnel. Grant funds are taxable.

Eligible Expenses

• Performance fees
• Travel (ground and air)
• Hotel/Lodging
• Meals
• Backline equipment
• Up to $2,500 for non-musician personnel (childcare, audio/video personnel, social media managers, tour managers)

Eligible Venues

• Nonprofit and commercial jazz presenters and clubs
• Performing arts centers, theaters, and concert halls
• Universities, colleges, and institutions of higher education
• Jazz festivals
• Local arts agencies/councils
• Radio station live segments
• Artist spaces, community centers
• Churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship
• Embassies, galleries, museums
• Listening rooms and libraries
• House concerts, open-air markets
• Retail and civic/municipal events

Key Dates

• Closed on March 10, 2026