The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra. This 19-member big band, formed in 1969, has received great acclaim both at home and abroad performing America’s original art form, jazz.

     Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors are designed to entertain all types of audiences. Custom compositions and arrangements highlight the group’s creative talent and gifted soloists. Their diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, dixieland, vocals, and patriotic selections.

     The band has appeared in all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and throughout Europe. Notable performances include concerts at international jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Newport, Rhode Island; Toronto, Canada; Brussels, Belgium; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. In 1995, the Jazz Ambassadors performed in England, Wales, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. The band has also been featured in unique joint concerts with major orchestras, including the Detroit, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and National symphonies.

     The United States Congress has proclaimed jazz "a national treasure." The Jazz Ambassadors proudly presents this unique American music throughout our country and the world.

     The U.S. Army Field Band is the Army’s official touring musical organization. It is comprised of four separate performing components: the Concert Band, the Soldiers’ Chorus, the Jazz Ambassadors, and the Volunteers. Each component tours annually throughout the United States and travels abroad as directed by the Secretary of the Army. The Field Band’s components tour a total of more than 400 days each year, appearing before live audiences of over 2 million people and broadcast to more than 2 billion.

     The Jazz Ambassadors is the official touring jazz orchestra of the United States Army. From the big band sounds of the forties to the contemporary hits of today, the members of the Jazz Ambassadors present a musical program that appeals to all ages. Their unique sound and versatility have earned them international recognition. In addition to formal public concerts, the Jazz Ambassadors frequently present clinics for high schools and colleges, and perform on local and network television.

     In recent years, international touring has become an important part of the Field Band’s mission. The Jazz Ambassadors completed a month-long tour of the Republic of India in April of 1989. In July 1989, the band toured six countries in Europe, and had the honor of performing at four of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals. The Jazz Ambassadors were the first military band to perform on the main stage at the famed Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In 1990, the Jazz Ambassadors appeared at the world famous Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. They performed in Tokyo, Japan, in 1993 for the grand opening of the Japan branch of the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society. In May 1995, the band was invited to perform at the New York-Brussells Jazz Rally with Jean "Toots" Thielemans as guest artist.

     Costs for transportation, lodging, and meals are paid by the Department of the Army. The responsibilities of the sponsor include the procurement of a performance site and managing a publicity campaign that includes the distribution of free tickets through a mail-in coupon. Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors are normally presented in concert sites with seating capacities of 1,000 or more, with a stage size of at least 30 feet by 30 feet.