The Jazz Ambassadors Visit Frostburg State University

The Jazz Ambassadors, the official jazz band of the United States Army, gave an amazing performance on Feb. 22nd.

Invited by the Frostburg State University Music Department as a part of Jazz Fest, the band performed thirteen songs with the beauty of the jazz sound. All of the musicians played with vigor and a love for jazz that could be heard through the instruments.

The Jazz Ambassadors are a part of the U.S. Army Field Band, whose mission is to, “connect the American people to their Army by telling the Army story and honoring our Soldiers and Veterans at home and abroad as the Musical Ambassadors of the Army.” This band definitely accomplished the mission wholeheartedly, not only through music but by standing as people were exiting the recital hall, shaking hands and making those who came to watch the show feel in-touch with the soldiers all around the world. 

Skylark, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, had the main soloist on alto, Staff Sergeant Mercedes Beckman. Sergeant Beckman played the solo with much emotion and care; it seemed almost effortless. While Sergeant Beckman was the star of this piece, the instrumental build behind her was an amazing addition. Performers entered section by section at a whisper and slowly built to a sound climax, sending goosebumps through those in the audience. 

The band also played Nat King Cole’s Avalon with vocalist Sergeant Randy White. The performers used different dynamics as well as mutes to help keep a balanced sound with a vocalist on stage. The instrumentalists and the vocalist played off of each other, with a back and forth feel that made the song stick. Sergeant White has an incredible voice with a wide vocal range. His tone suited the jazz and fit well with the Jazz Ambassadors. The voice and the instrumentation blended beautifully. The ensemble did Nat King Cole justice with their version of the song.

Showing how the Jazz Ambassadors kept to their mission to connect the Army to the American people, the band invited three guest instrumentalists: two high school students and one of our own Frostburg State students to play in a song with them. They played Mr., one of the many songs the Army Field Band provides to the public for free for students to further their repertoire. 

The band started the end strong with the Armed Forces Salute, asking everyone who has served or knew someone who has served to stand when they heard the song for the Armed Forces branch they served on. As each group stood, a roar of applause for those who served our country.

They concluded their performance with a version of America the Beautiful featuring the vocalist Sergeant Randy White to finish strong with the band. The rendition was breathtaking and influential.

There was a standing ovation for both the Armed Forces Salute and America the Beautiful.