Groundbreaking Musicians

In March 2025, the Executive Branch of the U.S. government undertook a sweeping erasure of information related to diversity, equity, and inclusion from federal websites. This wholesale purge deleted a Department of Defense page dedicated to Liesl Whitaker. We are in the process of restoring that information here, in perpetuity, so others can learn about Liesl's accomplishments, service and fight for fairness. Our hope and intention are that the legacy of her accomplishments will transcend and even amplify despite efforts to erase history. The internet remains undefeated.

Sergeant First Class Liesl Whitaker (retired)

Liesl joined the Army Blues of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in 2000, becoming the first woman to win a lead position in a premier U.S. military jazz ensemble. She repeated this feat with the Jazz Ambassadors of The U.S. Army Field Band in 2012.

Sgt. 1st Class Liesl Whitaker, trumpet, leads the trumpet section during The Jazz Ambassadors concert March 25, in Reno, Nev. The Jazz Ambassadors is the U.S. Army’s official touring big band and are currently traveling the western U.S. on their spring concert tour. (Photo by U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Johnson)

Originally from Chicago, Liesl attended Appalachian State University and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In addition to DIVA, she has performed and/or recorded with the Ed Palermo Big Band, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the WDR Big Band of Cologne, Germany, and many other orchestras and musicals.

From left to right, Master Sgt. Richard B. Sigler, jazz trumpeter with the Airmen of Note, Sgt. 1st Class Liesl Whitaker, lead trumpeter with the U.S. Army’s Army Blues jazz ensemble, Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Burns, split lead trumpeter with the Airmen of Note, and Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Leahey, jazz trumpeter with the Airmen of Note, play the flugelhorn March 19 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn. Taken on an Airmen of Note Sprint Tour through Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas in 2011.

The trumpeters of the Jazz Ambassadors from left to right: Sgt. Major Kevin Watt, Master Sgt. Liesl Whitaker, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Davis, and Sgt. Major John Altman.