The U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors brought their signature big band sound to Colorado Mesa University’s Asteria Theatre, giving Grand Junction audiences a chance to experience the United States Army’s premier touring jazz ensemble live. The 19-member ensemble is part of the larger U.S. Army Field Band and has toured since 1969, using music to connect the Army with the American public.
While on campus, ensemble leader and saxophonist Sergeant Major Andrew Layton reflected on the group’s mission and the role music plays in helping audiences connect with the military in a more personal way.
“Oftentimes, you’ll see that most people don’t get an opportunity to interact with a soldier one-on-one, shake hands, or do anything like that,” said Layton. “We tour about 60 to 80 days every year, doing our best to connect the Army with the American public.”
For Layton, that mission is part of what makes performing with the Jazz Ambassadors meaningful.
“For us as musicians, it’s such an outstanding way of serving our country through what we do best,” Layton said. “To also be able to do that using America’s premier original art form, jazz, it’s just so great.”
The performance also highlighted the musical range that has helped the Jazz Ambassadors engage audiences for decades. The group performs swing-era tunes, traditional jazz styles, patriotic selections and newer works written or arranged by members of the band.
Layton, who joined the ensemble in 2000, also spoke about why communities like Grand Junction remain an important part of the group’s national mission.
“We try and do our best to reach out to the grassroots of America and connect with as many people as possible,” Layton said.
On a campus like CMU, with a strong student-veteran presence and a growing arts community, the concert created a shared experience for student veterans, music students and community members.
One part of that connection came through the ensemble’s recognition of veterans in attendance. Layton said the group is committed to acknowledging the service and sacrifices of veterans across generations.
“Student veterans, Vietnam veterans, you name it, we’re absolutely excited to meet them and thank them for serving,” Layton said. “We’re very strongly interested in connecting with veterans all the time because regardless of when you served, if it’s recently, if it’s a long time ago, we like to remind people that serving their country is important.”
John Peresta, CMU’s Veterans Services Coordinator, said the concert offered an important moment of recognition for student veterans on campus.
“For our student veterans, events like this can mean a lot because they feel seen and appreciated. It’s also a good opportunity for the rest of the campus and the community to connect with veterans in a different way,” Peresta said.
For the band, the chance to connect with veterans and audiences across the country is part of what has kept the work meaningful throughout the years.
“You can feel the love from people, especially those who haven’t been thanked before, and getting them to come out and just experience it and seeing the look on people’s faces, it just continues to inspire me. The job never gets old,” said Layton.
Student veterans seeking resources, support or community can connect with CMU’s Veterans Services office at [email protected] or 970.248.1739.