- Additional Authors
- Bavan, Yolande.
- Description
- 1 online resource (pages cm)
- Summary
- "Keith Hatschek tells the story of three determined artists: Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and Iola Brubeck and the stand they took against segregation by writing and performing a jazz musical titled The Real Ambassadors. First conceived by the Brubecks in 1956, the musical's journey to the stage for its 1962 premiere tracks extraordinary twists and turns across the backdrop of the civil rights movement. A variety of colorful characters, from Broadway impresarios to gang-connected managers, surface in the compelling storyline. During the Cold War, the US State Department enlisted some of America's greatest musicians to serve as jazz ambassadors, touring the world to trumpet a so-called "free society." Honored as celebrities abroad, the jazz ambassadors, who were overwhelmingly African Americans, returned home to racial discrimination and deferred dreams. The Brubecks used this double standard as the central message for the musical, deploying humor and pathos to share perspectives on American values. On September 23, 1962, The Real Ambassadors's stunning debut moved a packed arena at the Monterey Jazz Festival to laughter, joy, and tears. Although critics unanimously hailed the performance, it sadly became a footnote in cast members' bios. The enormous cost of reassembling the star-studded cast made the creation impossible to stage and tour. However, The Real Ambassadors: Dave and Iola Brubeck and Louis Armstrong Challenge Segregation caps this jazz story by detailing how the show was triumphantly revived in 2014 by Jazz at Lincoln Center. This reaffirmed the musical's place as an integral part of America's jazz history and served as an important reminder of how artists' voices are a powerful force for social change"--
- Series Statement
- American made music series
- Uniform Title
- Real ambassadors (Online)
- American made music series.
- Alternative Title
- Real ambassadors (Online)
- Subjects
- Bibliography (note)
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- Access (note)
- Access restricted to authorized users.
- Contents
- Foreword -- Prologue -- Chapter 1: Meet the Brubecks -- Chapter 2: Words and music -- Chapter 3: Becoming jazz ambassadors -- Chapter 4: Finding a producer -- Chapter 5: Joe Glaser -- Chapter 6: Standing up to segregation -- Chapter 7: Securing Satchmo -- Chapter 8: Gatheriing momentum -- Chapter 9: A promising proposal: "The real ambassadors" in London -- Chapter 10: Recording "The real ambassadors" -- Chapter 11: The most expensive demo ever made -- Chapter 12: Messengers of change -- Chapter 13: The road to Monterey -- Chapter 14: A night to remember -- Chapter 15: Reception and reactions -- Chapter 16: Rediscovering "The real ambassadors" -- Epilogue.
- LCCN
- 2021049367
- OCLC
- ssj0002549509
- Author
Hatschek, Keith.
- Title
The real ambassadors [electronic resource] : Dave and Iola Brubeck and Louis Armstrong challenge segregation / Keith Hatschek ; foreword by Yolande Bavan.
- Imprint
Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, 2022.
- Series
American made music series
American made music series.
- Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
- Access
Access restricted to authorized users.
- Connect to:
- Added Author
Bavan, Yolande.