The Story of International Jazz Day

The Story of International Jazz Day

Well here we are, more than halfway through Jazz Appreciation Month, and that means we’re more than halfway to International Jazz Day, the 10th anniversary of which happens on April 30, 2021. Here’s story of the day from the official website:

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. The Institute is the nonprofit charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration.

International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; promoting freedom of expression; fostering gender equality; and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April. In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day. The United Nations and UNESCO now both recognize International Jazz Day on their official calendars.

The Yoko Miwa Trio

The Yoko Miwa Trio will be celebrating the day with a special performance, presented by Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. This show is in partnership with UNESCO, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the Embassy of Japan and Blues Alley Jazz. The pre-recorded video concert will feature music from the trio’s critically acclaimed album Songs of Joy, in what is being billed as the Embassy Jazz Series: a very special collection of artists affiliated with with the embassies of Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and Japan.

2 Responses

  1. John T. says:

    Tell Herbie that I want to see him and Yoko do a cd, album, recording, or major project together, and then, when the world goes back to normal, go out on tour together. Ask him to do it for Chick Corea.

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