This summer the Jazz Institute of Chicago has teamed up with the Chicago Park District to start a new program employing and mentoring a group of young jazz musicians for the summer. During a six week intensive program, this select group of 10 young musicians will work with a roster of local jazz all-stars who will mentor them for one week each.
At the end of each week the Jazz Ambassadors perform at a different park in the city with their guest artist as a conductor.

Tonight’s concert will feature Tomeka Reid as guest conductor. Cellist Tomeka Reid is part of a startling fresh new generation of creative musicians in Chicago.  Her sinewy sound can be heard blended into large ensembles or small, as she has worked with Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble, the AACM's Great Black Music Ensemble, Dee Alexander's Evolution Quartet or various configurations with Jeff Parker, Fred Longberg-Holm and a multitude of others in Chicago's creative music scene.  Reid plays in all genres, from classical to creative to funk and hip hop.