Dave Brubeck's “The Real Ambassadors”
In Our Very Own Backyard?
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Jazz Choir “The Real Ambassadors”
Win First Place at the Monterey Jazz Festival High School Competition

           HARTFORD, CT, -- For the first time ever, Hartford, Connecticut will be represented at the Monterey Jazz Festival . The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Jazz Choir, better known as “The Real Ambassadors” won 1 st Place at the Monterey Jazz Festival High School Competition ; no high school choir in Connecticut had ever done this. With this prestigious title, “The Real Ambassadors” have been invited to return to Monterey in September to perform at the actual Jazz Festival. They will be performing an hour-long set, and part of that performance will be shared with Jon Hendricks of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross . The Jazz Choir needs to raise $30,000 to cover their trip expenses. They will be performing at the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival on July 19 th at Bushnell Park.
           The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Jazz Choir, “The Real Ambassadors” is named after Dave & Iola Brubeck's musical play of the same name, loosely based on the government's policy for sending Jazz artists all over the world as Ambassadors of Good Will. From its inception in 1994, this choir has studied and performed a uniquely challenging repertoire of true jazz pieces from artists such as Dave Brubeck, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Horace Silver, Billy Strayhorn and Thelonius Monk. The current choir consists of academy high school students from 12 different school districts in Connecticut , ages 14 to 18.
          From their first year in existence, The Real Ambassadors have won numerous awards, as well as been invited to perform at the major functions. They have performed at the White House for former President & First Lady Clinton in 1996, Mayor Mike Peters' induction ceremony and farewell gala, The Bushnell and at the Capitol Building. In 2001 they performed with Dave Brubeck and his sons Chris and Dan. Dave credits the choir with bringing the music from the Real Ambassadors musical play back into the public eye. “In a sea of over polished, over dressed, “cookie cutter” swing choirs, The Real Ambassadors from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts stand out as refreshingly real poised to become the next generation of jazz musicians”, says jazz legend, Dave Brubeck. He goes on to say, “The extraordinary integration of 15 voices and 6 instrumentalists, create a beauty of sound that has made them the premier high school vocal ensemble in the country. Working together, they are true ambassadors of good will , displaying the depth of their commitment and character, creating music with soul and a wisdom far surpassing their youth”.
          This extraordinary and determined jazz group, complimented by of the Monterey judges as the “jazz gang”, has worked very hard to deserve this prestigious title and have big name Jazz legends take notice to them. However, being “good will ambassadors” takes financial support. Although the parents of these phenomenal youngsters are supportive as well as the school, they need to raise $30,000 to send the choir back to Monterey in September. For more information on how to support Hartford's very own “Good Will Ambassadors”, please call Diane Mower or Sarah Hersh at 757-6324 or 757-6317.
          The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and the Theater of the Performing Arts at The Learning Corridor are programs of the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC).