Hometown Hero Orrin Evans receives Jazz Road Tours grant

Philadelphia Hometown Hero Orrin Evans is among the recipients for the Jazz Road Tours grants.

Jazz Road, South Arts’ national initiative supporting jazz artists, announced the latest recipients receiving more than $375,000 on November 22. Through Jazz Road Tours, artists can apply for up to $15,000 to help support touring their work into communities across the country. These latest recipients are added to the growing list of artists that South Arts is assisting to get back on the road as venues re-open for audiences following the COVID-19 restrictions.

“The past six months have shown that performance possibilities frozen by the pandemic are thawing out for jazz artists,” said Sara Donnelly, South Arts’ Director of Jazz, in the announcement. “Though jazz has lost important venues, many are booking shows again, and artists are carefully weighing a safe return to touring. There is such exuberance in realizing these tours. We are glad to build toward a national framework for gig sustainability and better pay for artists as we look toward the tail end of the pandemic.”

Jazz Road Tours grants remain open, accepting applications on a rolling submission basis for tours occurring through June 2022. Artists from around the country may apply for funds through South Arts’ website to support three- to six-site tours with grants of up to $15,000.