This Thursday, National Geographic Live! begins its third installment of free concerts from “The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad” program. Co-developed by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program's goal is to foster a cultural exchange in regions of the world that may have limited access to American music and culture.

This year's lineup includes six jazz quartets and four "urban music" quartets who the organizers feel will reflect the talent and diversity of musicians across the United States. The artists will kick of their tours with performances at National Geographic and New York's Lincoln Center before heading off to destinations abroad.

Each of the five free Thursday evening concerts, taking place between now and early May, will feature two performers with the early set beginning at 6 p.m. and the second set beginning at 7:15. Highlights include Exegesis, an exciting addition to the jazz scene, and Dana Leong (pictured), who blew us away at last year's Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. This year's lineup has not been posted on the National Geographic web site yet, but the full schedule is after the jump.

January 17:
6 p.m: The Kelley Johnson Quartet (straight-ahead jazz)
7:15 p.m.: Universes (hip-hop, spoken word)

January 24:
6 p.m.: The Ryan Cohan Quartet (jazz and blues)
7:15 p.m.: Exegesis (electronic jazz)

March 27
6 p.m.: The Maya Azucena Band (jazz-funk)
7:15 p.m.: Alvin Atkinson and the Sound Merchants (world jazz)

April 17
6 p.m.: Devin Phillips & New Orleans Straight Ahead (N'awlins jazz)
7:15 p.m.: The Dana Leong Band (cello driven electronica)

May 1
6 p.m.: Chris Byars Quartet (straight-ahead jazz)
7:15 p.m.: AFAR (hip-hop)

All concerts in The Rhythm Road series are free; no reservations or tickets are required. Performances will take place in Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M Street N.W., Washington. Visit the National Geographic website or call (202) 857-7700 for more information.