Watch The Jazz Ambassadors

The Jazz Ambassadors is a fascinating documentary that takes us on a journey through the Cold War-era, exploring the role of jazz music in American diplomacy. The film follows a group of jazz musicians, including Darius Brubeck and Quincy Jones, who were sent by the State Department on a cultural mission to showcase the best of American jazz to the world.

The film begins with historical footage of the Cold War and the growing tensions between the US and Soviet Union. We learn how jazz music, with its free-flowing improvisation and African-American roots, was seen as a symbol of freedom and democracy in contrast to the strict state control of the Soviet Union.

We are then introduced to the musicians who made up the Jazz Ambassadors, a group of young and talented jazz musicians who were handpicked by the State Department to go on tour in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The group included saxophonist Bobby Timmons, bassist Bill Crow, and pianist Dave Brubeck's son, Darius, who served as the group's musical director.

The documentary takes us through the highs and lows of the Jazz Ambassadors' tour. We see how the musicians were initially met with skepticism and confusion by some foreign audiences who had never heard of jazz music before. However, we also see how the power of the music eventually won over these audiences and helped to break down cultural barriers.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is its exploration of how the Jazz Ambassadors' tour was used as a tool of American diplomacy. We see how the musicians were used as propaganda tools to promote American cultural values to foreign countries, and how their music was seen as a way to showcase America's commitment to freedom and democracy.

Despite the success of the tour, the Jazz Ambassadors were not immune to the racial tensions of the time. The film shows how the black musicians were treated differently from their white counterparts, and how they were sometimes forced to play in segregated venues. The documentary does not shy away from these difficult moments, but rather explores them as part of the larger story of American history.

Throughout the film, the music itself takes center stage. The Jazz Ambassadors perform some incredible live shows, showcasing the best of American jazz music to the world. We hear classic tunes like "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo A La Turk", as well as lesser-known tracks that still manage to captivate audiences decades later.

The Jazz Ambassadors is a masterful documentary that tells a powerful story about the role of music in shaping culture and diplomacy. It is an important reminder of how jazz music, with all of its improvisation and spontaneity, can serve as a powerful force for change in the world.

The Jazz Ambassadors is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.