Special Archival Tour: The Real Ambassadors

At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. State Department sent “Jazz Ambassadors” around the world to showcase America’s cultural excellence. Inspired by Louis Armstrong’s bold stance against the school integration crisis in Little Rock, Dave and Iola Brubeck set out to write a Broadway musical starring Armstrong—highlighting how jazz, and Armstrong himself, were more effective ambassadors than some politicians. Though the musical never made it to Broadway, its powerful message lived on in The Real Ambassadors, recorded by Columbia Records in 1961.

Join Director of Research Collections Ricky Riccardi for a special archival tour exploring the behind-the-scenes story of this groundbreaking album—its creation, impact, and enduring legacy.

March 22 | 1:00 PM
At the Louis Armstrong Center Jazz Room