The Jazz Ambassadors play free show in Monterey.

A studio performance shot about a month ago, in honor of Black History Month and Maya Angelou, features a jazz trio backing up vocalist Marva Lewis’ soulful delivery of Angelou’s masterful “And Still I Rise.” The surprise: This tight quartet is dressed head to toe in military-issued camo.

Lewis, whose voice rivals contemporary jazz great Dianne Reeves, was deployed during the first Gulf War as a fuel handler. “We’re so glad [Lewis] found her way to us,” says the Jazz Ambassadors Tour Coordinator Master Sgt. Adam Getz.

Getz explains that most of the the Jazz Ambassadors’ 20 bandmembers, including conductor and Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Wood, have graduated from some of the country’s most elite jazz schools.

“What’s so unique is it is an Army band comprised of soldiers, but is renowned as one of the finest big bands in the country,” Getz says. “They’re a staple in the jazz community.”

The Washington D.C.-based ensemble is currently in the middle of a 42-date tour throughout the Western U.S., and tours 100 days annually.

“We’re carrying the Army’s story to communities all over the nation and representing all those soldiers overseas,” Getz says. “We are the musical ambassadors of the Army.”

It’s been nearly eight years since the Jazz Ambassadors performed in Monterey. The nonprofit Fort Ord Area Retiree Council and the Golden State Theatre are sponsoring a free performance tonight, March 17.

While on tour, the band has four different programs/sets, which they rotate. Expect to hear everything from Miles Davis and Duke Ellington to jazz standards, patriotic music and Dixieland. The band also adjusts to what they believe the audience wants after they get a feel for the room. And you never know if there will be a special guest sitting in. A few days ago, 91-year-old vibraphone great Terry Gibbs participated in Torrance.

For March 17, the Fort Ord Area Retiree Council arranged for local high school musicians to each perform a number with the band – Carmel High’s Amber Hobbs (bass trombone) and North Monterey County High’s Sachi Taniguchi (alto saxophone) and Conlyn Pattison (trumpet).

Each of the Ambassadors who usually perform those parts will leave the stage to make the contribution more complete.

“It’s really a lot of fun for us to get the community really involved in the concert, and give those kids a great experience they’ll never forget,” Getz says.

THE JAZZ AMBASSADORS 7pm Thursday, March 17. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. Free. 649-1070.