RTS Big Band “USA Jazz Ambassadors”
As part of the event “African American History Month”, a concert of the RTS Big Band bearing the title “USA Jazz Ambassadors” and dedicated to the long-running American jazz musicians’ programme of tours and performances by the same name, will be held at the Great Hall of the Belgrade Youth Centre on Wednesday, 12th of February, with an 8 pm start.
The concert is being organized by RTS Music Production, the Belgrade Youth Centre and the US Embassy in Belgrade.
Back in year 1956, the USA government created a special programme under the name “Jazz Ambassadors”, organizing tours and performances by legendary stars of jazz music, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and later Dave Brubeck as well. Travelling the world and performing as jazz ambassadors, they would spread this new 20th century artform, jazz music. From then on, the US Bureau (Ministry) of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in cooperation with the “John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts”, has been organizing artist performances across the world, with artists holding workshops and working on professional development with local musicians and students, along with their performances.
The art has, as it usually does, far exceeded the organizers’ starting expectations and motives, with many countries and cities having the opportunity to see these jazz greats live. One could say that this initiative has greatly contributed to the popularization of jazz music outside of its country of origin. The event “African American History Month”, which will be taking place in Belgrade throughout February, is part of a global American project for the popularization of African American culture, celebrating and honouring the achievements and success of African Americans in America. The vast contribution of African Americans to the history of American culture had long been overlooked and even forgotten. With an arduous fight for equality and gradual acceptance of their art in public and the media, it is with the help of organized activities such as the “African American History Month”, that we can today say that African American artists have finally secured their rightful place.
The tickets for this event can be purchased via Ticket Vision network, at the price of 600 Dinars.