The Twin Cities Jazz Society’s “Jazz from J to Z” concert series is proud to present the United States Army Jazz Ambassadors, “America’s Big Band”, from Washington DC, one of the best big bands in the world. This free concert takes place on Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m., at Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Boulevard. The Stillwater High School Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Dennis Lindsay, will kick off the evening with a couple of tunes.

  The Jazz Ambassadors, 19 members strong, are the United States Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra, and one of the very few touring big bands left in the world. Formed in 1969, they travel thousands of miles in the Spring and Fall each year, both at home and abroad, performing over 100 big band jazz concerts. This is the third time over the last ten years the TCJS has sponsored the Jazz Ambassadors. “Big Band Scene” on Jazz 88 is a co-sponsor of the concert.

   Many of the members of the band are also composers and arrangers whose writings help create the band’s unique sound. Their diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, Latin, Dixieland, and patriotic selections. They also feature exciting selections by vocalist Marva Lewis.

  Formal public concerts, jazz festivals, schools, clinics, radio, and television appearances are all part of their schedule. They have appeared in all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and throughout Europe. Notable performances include concerts at several of the world’s largest jazz festivals. In 1995, the Jazz Ambassadors performed in England, Wales, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War II.

  A highly competitive audition process draws candidates from the leading conservatories, universities, and professional ranks. The band members are graduates of some of the premier jazz education schools in the U.S.

  To hear a preview of the upcoming Jazz Ambassadors concert, tune into “Big Band Scene” on KBEM / Jazz 88, on Monday, March 8 and Sunday, March 14, both at 7 p.m.

—Jerry Swanberg is the host of “Big Band Scene” on KBEM/Jazz 88 radio.