The United Nations (UN)’s International Jazz Day is annually observed across the globe on 30th April to highlight jazz and its role in diplomatic relations of uniting people around the world.
- International Jazz Day is chaired and led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue
Global host:
The Global Host of 2024 International Jazz Day celebration is the city of Tangier, Morocco.
- This marks the 1st time a city on the African continent has hosted International Jazz Day.
Significance:
i.The day raises awareness of Jazz’s educational virtues facilitating empathy, dialogue, and cooperation among people.
ii.The day also promotes appreciation for jazz’s heritage, future, and its role in fostering peace, and mutual and cultural understanding.
Background:
i.In November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the resolution (UNESCO 36 C/Resolution 39), and proclaimed 30 April of every year as “International Jazz Day”.
ii.The 1st ever International Jazz Day was observed on 30 April 2012.
iii.In December 2012, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day.
2024 Events:
Four-Day Celebration:
i.The 4-day celebration from (27-30 April 2024) presented in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Morocco and the City of Tangier emphasised Tangier’s jazz heritage and cultural ties between Morocco, Europe, and Africa.
ii.The event included education programs, events for students of all ages, and conversations about jazz history and its impact on Tangier.
All-Star Global Concert:
i.On 30 April 2024, the All-Star Global Concert from the new Palace of Arts and Culture of Tangier, Morocco was led by jazz legend pianist Herbie Hancock.
ii.The event featured performances by an international roster of artists from countries including the United States of America (USA), Chile, Italy, Sweden, etc.
Note: The 2024 edition of International Jazz Day was celebrated in over 190 countries.
Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) – April:
i.Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) was created by John Edward Hasse curator of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 2001.
ii.It is celebrated every April in the USA and Canada to recognize and celebrate the heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April.
iii.International Jazz Day is the culmination of JAM, which is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz – to study the music, attend concerts, and more.
