Louis Armstrong in Egypt, 1961, ABC-CLIO

Beginning in the 1950s, from the advent of the Cold War, the Jazz Ambassadors - America’s premier musicians - toured the globe crossing ideological, cultural, and geographical frontiers. As integrated bands traveled, their lively performances countered Soviet portrayals of U.S. racism while showcasing American freedom and an image of racial tolerance. Concurrently, racial tension and violence in America intensified, making the tours a unique platform where African-American musicians could cross racial frontiers. Ultimately, the tours succeeded in legitimizing jazz as an artform and creating a global love for the genre. Their legacy can also be seen in the continued use of culture as an American tool for diplomacy.