Every year on April 30, people all across the world come together to celebrate International Jazz Day. Apart from being an opportunity to celebrate this form of music, International Jazz Day promotes education and cross-cultural understanding through a shared love for the music genre.
As per the United Nations Organization, this year, the Morocco city Tangier has become the global host for International Jazz Day. It must be noted that 2024 marks the first time when a city on the African continent is hosting International Jazz Day. The special event of the international day is chaired and led by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
It is also attended by legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
International Jazz Day 2024: History
Back in November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day. Through this, they aimed to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.
Later, in December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly officially welcomed the UNESCO General Conference’s decision to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day. Now, both the UN and UNESCO recognise International Jazz Day on their official calendars.
International Jazz Day 2024: Quotes
“Diplomacy is like jazz: endless variations on a theme.” – Richard Holbrook
“If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”? Louis Armstrong
“Jazz is a conversation, a give and take. It’s a dialogue between the musicians and the audience.”— Keith Jarrett
“Jazz is a music of rhythm and improvisation, and it requires a high degree of skill and creativity.” – Pat Metheny
“Jazz is about being in the moment.”– Herbie Hancock
International Jazz Day 2024: Significance
1. International Jazz Day is extremely crucial, as it is more than just a celebration of music.
2. The day raises awareness about the virtues of jazz as a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation in the international community.
3. Many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions and private citizens treat it as an educational tool.
4. Such institutions engage themselves in the promotion of jazz music.
5. They embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation, not only for the music but also in a bid to acknowledge its contribution to building more inclusive societies.
