The Army’s own jazz band, The “Jazz Ambassadors,” came to Park High School on April 29 after a long eight-year wait. Garrett Stannard, Park High band director, saw the band playing in Chicago where he later attended a jazz concert with members of the band and saw famous funk and soul drummer Nate Smith. At this concert he formed a bond with some members in the band and their performance and bond inspired him to bring them to Livingston. Stannard then spent many hours crafting the perfect show and after a long wait the Jazz Ambassadors decided it was time. As icing on the cake, Park High's own Jazz Ensemble was lucky enough to open for the Jazz Ambassadors in the gym at Park High with two songs of their own.
The Jazz Ambassadors are one of the most highly respected jazz big bands in the world. The musicians work tirelessly just to become a member of the band and will continue to do so in practice as they prepare songs for their tours of America. The Jazz Ambassadors not only play music but they play to represent the men and women who are serving in the army and cannot represent themselves because they are deployed in dangerous places and/or doing dangerous jobs.
The Jazz Ensemble has been practicing tirelessly for the past few weeks on their two songs for this performance. Their first song is “Bad Kids to the Back” by Snarky Puppy, which is the band’s modern take on their side of the concert. To help with the transition into the Jazz Ambassadors’ more traditional set list will be “Moanin” made famous by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Jazz Ensemble student Augie Stern says “The Jazz Ambassadors displayed true musicianship and professionalism and they inspired me to become better in those aspects and apply them to my own life.”
Many of his fellow band members agree, especially the rhythm section consisting of Augie Stern, Curran Devine, and Brinley Halland. The Jazz Ensemble Rhythm section are all seniors and as they finish their highschool career they collectively agree that the Jazz Ambassadors gave them new energy and inspiration as they move on to the next phase in their musical career, whether that is study, sound engineering, performance, or other music-related endeavors.
Stannard says, "The Jazz Ambassadors are something else and this experience will not only help you but me as well with finding musical and professional inspiration.” In preparation for the Jazz Ambassadors performance, Stannard worked with the ambassadors diligently to help find a date for their performance in Livingston, and in completing that goal. he truly sent these seniors off to their next phase with something great to look back on.
