The Jazz AmbassadorsWILLIAM HAWKINS

The Cold War

Cultural ambassadors were common Generally symphony orchestras or ballet groups

Didn’t work well

Ambassadors (performers) sent had to be as good or better than Russian ones or risk a diplomatic disadvantage

State Department needed a new diplomatic edge

The “Secret Sonic Weapon” of the Cold War

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Suggested that the State Department send jazz musicians instead

Jazz as an American art form

Jazz as a metaphor for democracy

Jazz musicians to be used to counter Soviet propaganda

Used to reach out to people, promote a positive image of America

Willis Conover

Hosted “Music, USA” starting in 1955, later “Voice of America” Ended up having many international followers

Many people in Soviet states would listen to his show, despite harsh punishments for getting caught

Many internationally, especially Eastern Europe, developed his mannerisms when speaking English

Helped developed an international appreciation for jazz

Large part of why the tours were so successful

Dizzy Gillespie, 1956

First choice was Dizzy Gillespie Put together an 18-piece big band for the tour

Tour ended in Greece just after Anti-American protests Many protesters reportedly attended the

concert as jazz fans.

Made a point to play with local musicians Developed an Afro-Cuban style during tours in

Cuba

Louis Armstrong

One of the most famous Jazz Ambassadors

First tour in 1956

Toured all over the world and was very well receivedin his concerts

Strong political impact internationally and domestically Refused to tour until school integration laws were enforced

in Little Rock by Eisenhower

Duke Ellington

Most international ambassadorial tours of any jazz musician

Toured some of the more dangerous and diplomatically important areas Iraq during a coup, for one

Wrote Far East Suite, inspired by some of his tours Musical influences drawn from local musicians

Miles Davis

Many international tours throughout his career Never an official Ambassador, but had a huge unofficial impact

Several to Japan and Paris

Tours in Eastern Europe in the 70s-80s

Also very popular abroad Conferred almost godlike status when travelling to Japan and Europe

“In Europe, they like everything you do. The mistakes and everything. That’s a little bit too much” (Carr, 58)

Miles Abroad

Miles loved Europe Particularly Paris

“I had never felt that way in my life. It was the freedom of being in France and being treated like a human being, like someone important… Anyway, everything seemed to change for me while I was in Paris” (Troupe, 127)

Miles wasn’t the best diplomat Passed up for Dizzy as first Ambassador

Often walked away from people mid-conversation

Developed a strong musical influence from his time abroad Elevator to the Gallows

Entirely improvised, precursor to Kind of Blue

Style is what he moved to in later fusion albums

International Impacts

Tours immensely popular worldwide

Helped America’s image

Spread of musical influence

Strong political impacts Helped America’s image

Improved relations with developing and Soviet states

Showed possibility of criticizing government without punishment

Links (Music)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2U1MGX8SLU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lue_m0tAbWs

Interesting NPR link

http://www.npr.org/2009/08/07/111670416/the-picture-show-jazz-ambassadors-jam-abroad

Sources

http://americanaejournal.hu/vol10jazz/castagneto http://www.ushistoryscene.com/uncategorized/blackmusicians/ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/arts/music/29kapl.html?pagewa

nted=1&_r=0

http://www.meridian.org/jazzambassadors/ http://www.the-american-interest.com/2006/03/01/cool-jazz-and-cold

-war/

http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/story/sound-score-jam-session http://current.org/2014/11/jazz-ambassadors-revisits-time-when-cold-

war-diplomacy-got-hip/

http://www.thenation.com/article/cool-war?page=0,0 http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/08/jamsession.html