The United Nations (UN)’s International Jazz Day is observed annually on 30 April to highlight the role of jazz in uniting people worldwide.
- This International Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact.
Background:
i.In November 2011 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference proclaimed 30 April as “International Jazz Day”.
ii. The inaugural celebration took place on 30 April 2012.
Significance:
i.International Jazz Day aims to raise awareness of jazz’s role in promoting peace, unity, and dialogue among cultures.
ii.It also serves as an educational tool, encouraging the study and appreciation of jazz’s rich heritage and its impact on society.
2025 Events:
i.The 2025 edition of International Jazz Day, organized by UNESCO and Washington, D.C. (the United States of America, USA) based Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, was celebrated on 30 April 2025 in more than 190 countries.
ii.The Global Host City for this year’s celebration is Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates(UAE), recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
iii.In Abu Dhabi, a five-week series of jazz performances, educational programs, and community events are taking place across the city.
iv.The celebrations culminate in the International Jazz Day 2025 All-Star Global Concert on 30 April at the Etihad Arena, the region’s largest indoor entertainment venue in Abu Dhabi.
v.The concert features an extraordinary lineup of renowned jazz artists from around the world, including Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Marcus Miller, Arturo Sandoval, and Dianne Reeves, among others
Note: In 2024 , International Jazz Day celebration was hosted in Tangier, Morocco.
About Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM):
i.Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) is celebrated every April, culminating in International Jazz Day on 30 April.
ii.Established in 2001 by the Washington, D.C. based Smithsonian National Museum of American History, JAM honors jazz as an American art form that has significantly influenced music worldwide.
iii.Throughout the month, various events and programs are organized to celebrate jazz musicians and educate the public about jazz’s history and cultural significance.
