Dave Brubeck on a Cultural Tour at GWU's Elliott School

A couple of weeks ago The Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University hosted a seminar on cultural diplomacy featuring Dave Brubeck in honor of the 50th anniversary of his State Department tour outside North America.

Back in the 1960s (or was it the 1970s?) I saw and heard the great Brubeck perform at
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, and I was dumbfounded he was still living! Bravo, Mr. Brubeck (now, 87).

The seminar kicked off an almost week-long festival in Washington honoring the man, his music and his achievements (was there any press about it?) that was preceded by the other half of the festival in Stockton, CA, home of Mr. and Mrs. Brubeck's alma mater, the University of the Pacific which is home to the Brubeck Institute.

At the seminar four white males made up the panel and each presented a brief (10 minutes or so) current history of diplomacy including world events of the 50s and the direction another cultural musical tour could take today.

Mr. (and Mrs.? I was unsure) Brubeck sat in the middle of the front row in the audience, and Mr. Brubeck was recognized from the podium. He certainly appeared to be a lively fellow, but I did not see him at the reception afterwards..

After the panelists' presentations, questions were taken from the 150 or so members of the audience, composed mostly of Caucasian students, professors, alumni, and the curious who attended voluntarily, like me. Because so many responded to the seminar invitation, GW moved the locale to the Harry Harding Auditorium.

After a few moments of "questions" it became obvious that some audience members who spoke (all males) were actually more interest in making statements, and three of them came, appropriately enough, from the State Department, leading the moderator, Dr. David Grier, to twice applaud the "expansion" of the panel.

Anyway 50 years ago "State" sent Mr. Brubeck and his group to India, Europe, and the Middle East to be cultural ambassadors for the U.S.

Jazz was important to the cultural life of European people, said Professor Hugh Agnew who described the world in the late 1950s as "teetering on the brink of change". Not only was the world reeling from the psychological damage of World War II and the Korean War, but the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union contributed to a European fear of another war.

Ambassador Karl Inderfurth (who served during the Clinton Administration) called the Brubeck trips abroad "clearly one of the best decisions the State Department has made." Dr. Marc Lynch whose enthusiasm and presentation made me want to sign up for his class tomorrow, said Adam Clayton Powell (denied a visa in 1955 to travel abroad) vigorously urged "State" to send Brubeck overseas so that people could begin through music to understand what America was all about.

Who was not sent to represent the U.S. in the 1950s? He shook his hips and gyrated and came from Memphis and was also serving in the Army (but probably would not have been tapped anyway, Dr. Lynch said.) Until 1957 and Little Rock, the late great Louis Armstrong was a "cultural ambassador". "He did not want to part of a government which allowed (Little Rock)", Dr. Lynch said.

He compared jazz to "hip hop": Both are loved by blacks and youth; both are mysterious, unpredictable and unique. "Music can build bridges," Dr. Lynch said, and suggested State might consider sending hip hopsters abroad like it sent Dave Brubeck to weave magic and try to convince others we are not as bad as they think. Hip hop is quite popular in the Middle East, and it "gives voice to the voiceless".

A handsome 32-page souvenir booklet was distributed to all, and a gala reception at the City View Room on the seventh floor of the 1957 E Street building followed the seminar and featured the current Dave Brubeck Quartet (namesake not included).

It is truly marvelous that GWU opens its doors to curious people who have no connection to the university whatsoever, other than a fondness for knowledge, a desire to broaden one's perspective, learn a little, and open minds and doors to the unknown. I am grateful.