One of the finest big bands in the world today, the Jazz Ambassadors tour thousands of miles each year to promote patriotism and goodwill for the U.S. Army through free public concerts. The Army's official touring big band has appeared in a variety of high-profile settings, including performances with the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Syracuse Symphony. During a joint performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Marvin Hamlisch declared, "I can't think of better ambassadors for our country." That collaboration with Hamlisch also included the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Pops, the Colorado Pops Orchestra and the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.
Other recent performances include the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont, the Jazz Education Network Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, the Kennedy Center Honors and "The Colbert Report."
A highly competitive audition process draws candidates from leading conservatories, universities and the professional ranks, and many members have extensive civilian performance experience. Army Field Band Commander Maj. Hal Gibson formed the group as the Studio Band in 1969 in response to growing demand for jazz performances; it became the Army's premier touring jazz ensemble and was renamed the Jazz Ambassadors in 1979.
The band has appeared in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and throughout Europe, sharing the stage over the years with artists including Gordon Goodwin, Bobby Shew, Ernie Watts and the Dave Brubeck All-Star Quintet. Its repertoire spans big band swing, Latin music, contemporary jazz, bebop, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland and patriotic selections, carrying a message of patriotism and goodwill to audiences worldwide.