The Kitchen Sisters Present Ep. 198: The Real Ambassadors

Episode 198 of "The Kitchen Sisters Present" focuses on the story of The Real Ambassadors, a jazz musical created by Dave Brubeck and Iola Brubeck for Louis Armstrong in the 1950/60s.

"The Real Ambassadors" featured Louis Armstrong, Carmen McCrae, Dave Brubeck and Lambert Hendricks and Bavan, and was performed live only once, at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1962. This year’s Monterey Jazz Festival, September 23-25, 2022, marked the 60th Anniversary of the performance.

The story features original music, rare archival recorded letters back and forth between the Brubecks and Louis Armstrong about the project, rehearsal recordings, and interviews with Dave and Iola Brubeck. Other voices include the Brubecks' sons, Chris and Dan Brubeck; Keith Hatschek, author of the newly released book, "The Real Ambassadors;” Ricky Riccardi, Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum; and singer/actress Yolande Bavan, the last surviving performer involved in the project.