Jazz at Lincoln Center (JLC) and the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has selected Legacy, an urban/hip-hop ensemble from East Orange, N.J., to tour northern Africa and the Middle East to promote cultural exchange.

Traveling under the banner of “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad” program,

Legacy, which was selected from submissions by over 100 ensembles, will tour Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya, South Sudan and Israel, sharing its music “about faith, love, struggle and the pursuit of beauty in life and art.”

To this eclectic music philosophy, Legacy has also fused an alternative hip-hop sound influenced by diverse genres of music that include West African percussive music, house, jazz and breakbeat. Combining this approach with the distinctive talents and wide-ranging experiences of the group, Legacy offers a unique edutainment instrument that “breaks language and cultural barriers through music.”

As participants in the Rhythm Road program, whose mission it is to “encourage mutual respect and understanding,” Legacy will participate in a variety of events that will include public concerts, master classes, lectures and demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions, collaborations with local musicians and media outreach. The Rhythm Road initiative has, since 2005, presented 159 musicians from 41 ensembles in over 100 countries on five continents.

Legacy’s tour will visit Morocco (Nov. 16-21), Algeria (Nov. 21-26), Tunisia (Nov. 26-30), Israel/Jerusalem (Nov. 30-Dec. 6), Egypt (Dec. 6-11), South Sudan (Dec. 11-15) and Kenya (Dec. 15-19).

In addition, in keeping with the Rhythm Road tradition, Legacy will perform two programs in the United States. The first will be presented by National Geographic Live! in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 23, 2012, at 7:15 p.m. at the Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. The second performance, which will take place in New York City, will be presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center on Feb. 25, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The members of Legacy include vocalist Ihsan Muhammad, an insightful singer, songwriter, lyricist and poet who integrates “a street-smart persona on stage, spreading her ideas of love and urban philosophy through her hip-hop, soul, Senegalese and R&B-inspired vocals.”

An opener for Isaac Hayes, India.Arie and Erykah Badu, among others, Muhammad is a published poet who has been featured on the Rap, the Oxygen Network, HBO and MTV programs. She is also an arts educator and creator of Word is Born, a series of hip-hop youth workshops implemented in public school and universities.

Jeremy Clemons, Legacy’s drummer, was born and raised in St. Louis. A graduate of North Carolina Central University, Clemons holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies. On his return to St. Louis, he worked as a sideman and bandleader prior to touring with the Andy Bey Quartet from 2004 to 2006. During this same period, he was also the drummer for DJ Carl Craig, the electronic music guru. Clemons is currently co-leading the band Soul Understated and recently joined Legacy.

Born in New York City, bassist Ben Meigners attended Purchase College, City College and the New School. He was a semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition for bass in 2009.

Meigners has performed in groups led by such artists as Roy Hargrove, Saul Rubin, Billy Kaye, Charlie Persip, Freddie Redd, Andy Bey, Kim Thompson and others. Featured on records including the Fat Cat Big Band trilogy, “Angels Praying for Freedom,” “Meditation” and “Face” and Steve Blum’s “Gottschalk’s Last Dance,” he is currently working on his debut record and often plays at the West Village jazz club Fat Cat.

Vocalist Yazid (Benu) Muhammad’s has performed a variety of genres ranging from hip-hop lyricism to performance poetry and theater. While a student at Norfolk State University, Muhammad formed a hip-hop group that opened for Leaders of the New School and front man Busta Rhymes as well as Heavy D. Known for his freestyle lyrical skills and unique brand of showmanship, Muhammad is also a drama and performing arts teacher and is co-author and performer of the two-man show, “We Ain’t From Around Here, Beats.” He is also the co-author of the book, “Reign of the World Warriors.”

For further information about “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad,” visit jalc.org/TheRoad or exchanges.state.gov/cultural/rhythm.html.