The State Department announced the musicians who kicked off their public service as U.S. Global Music Ambassadors this month, traveling separately to New Zealand, Canada and South Korea.

Key Points:

• Individual music artists Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll and BRELAND are part of the inaugural roster of American music artists, songwriters and producers appointed U.S. Global Music Ambassadors as part of the State Department-YouTube Global Music Diplomacy Partnership first announced in June.
• The intent of the initiative is to engage audiences, ranging from youth to marginalized populations to world leaders, to elevate music as a diplomatic platform to expand access to education, economic opportunity, equity and inclusion.
• The July itinerary for the three artists included:
  • Teddy Swims traveled to New Zealand July 4-7 as part of his sold-out “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy” tour. He engaged audiences in local communities across the country and participated in “Red Nose Day,” which helped raise awareness and support better health outcomes for children through medical research.
  • Jelly Roll visited the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre July 8-9 while touring in Canada. He engaged with staff and patients, including Canadian youth, living with mental illness and substance use disorders through song and conversation.
  • BRELAND visited South Korea July 7-13. He participated in a songwriting camp with a South Korea-based record label and South Korean songwriters.

Additional Information: The U.S. Global Music Ambassadors will build on the historic legacy of the Jazz Ambassadors of the 1950s and 1960s, which included iconic American musicians and artists such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck and Sarah Vaughan. Other ambassadors on the current roster include: Chuck D, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Denyce Graves, Herbie Hancock, Justin Tranter, Armani White and Lainey Wilson. For more information on the program, visit the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative.