International Jazz Day 2021, April 30st

Music Jazz originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime.

FORUM: Jazz Day10th anniversary.  International Day of Jazz 2021.

The Hancock Institute of Jazz brings respected jazz musicians and educators into a dozen public performing arts high schools in cities across the country to provide intensive jazz training for exceptionally gifted and motivated student musicians. This specialized performance-based program enables students to participate in small combos and receive instruction in theory, composition, improvisation, history, and styles, preparing them to attend leading college, university, and conservatory music programs. The program offers students the opportunity to participate in a highly specialized performance-based jazz curriculum, study with some of the world’s most eminent jazz artists, and perform in jazz combos comprised of their peers.

Celebrations again saw over 190 countries participate in the worldwide celebration, with a spectacular All-Star Global Concert for the first time featuring artists performing from cities across the globe. With segments shot on-location in New York, Los Angeles, London, Monaco, Paris, Moscow, Cape Town, Tokyo and Rio De Janeiro, among other locations, the 2021 concert showcased the universality of jazz in inimitable style. Hosted by Academy Award winner Michael Douglas from UN Headquarters in New York and with artistic direction from Herbie Hancock and musical direction from John Beasley, the concert featured an array of renowned artists representing more than 20 countries. In the lead-up to the All-Star Global Concert, students of all ages around the world benefitted from a series of free virtual education programs with acclaimed educators, musicians and public figures, including Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Kris Bowers, Terri Lyne Carrington, Antonio Sánchez, Linda Oh and many more.

The 2021 All-Star Global Concert featured an historic lineup of performances by some of the world’s greatest jazz masters. For the first time ever, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of International Jazz Day, the 2021 Concert showcased artists joining from an array of locations around the world–demonstrating the global reach and appeal of this special music.

The 2021 concert included stunning performances by Herbie Hancock (Artistic Director), John Beasley (Musical Director), Alex Acuña, Melissa Aldana, Justo Almario, Massimo Biolcati, Dee Dee Bridgewater, A Bu, Jonathan Butler, Cyrus Chestnut, Mahmoud Chouki, Gerald Clayton, Andra Day, Amina Figarova, Roberta Gambarini, Kenny Garrett, James Genus, Stefon Harris, Ingrid Jensen, Angelique Kidjo, Joe Lovano, Romero Lubambo, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, Antonio Sánchez, Veronica Swift, Francisco Torres, Justin Tyson and Ben Williams. Leading performances from their home countries were Igor Butman in Moscow (Russia), Jacob Collier in London (United Kingdom), Mandisi Dyantyis in Cape Town (South Africa), Ivan Lins in Rio De Janeiro (Brazil), John McLaughlin in Monaco, James Morrison in Mt. Gambier (Australia) and Junko Onishi in Tokyo (Japan), among others. The All-Star Global Concert served as the official culmination of International Jazz Day 2021, capping a program of performances, educational workshops, community service projects, panel discussions, jam sessions, radio and television broadcasts, virtual gatherings and more – all following recommended public health guidelines – taking place in all 50 U.S. states and more than 190 countries on all seven continents. As part of the lead-up to the concert, the Institute and UNESCO offered a series of free virtual educational programs, including master classes with renowned jazz musicians such as Antonio Sánchez, Linda Oh and Lionel Loueke; a children’s workshop with vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater; and illuminating panel discussions featuring UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, pianist and composer Kris Bowers, hip-hop producer DJ Khalil and others. Check out the full suite of programs by visiting

International Jazz Day 2013, April 30.

The year 2013 marks the beginning of the International Decade for People of African Descent, consecrated to the theme, “Recognition, justice and development for people of African heritage.” This constitutes yet another highlight of the event that the United Nations will surely support. Africa, whence jazz draws its origins, will thus be doubly honoured this year.


 Istanbul is the official host city for 2013. Turkey has an age-old tradition of jazz. Munir Ertegun, Turkish Republic’s first ambassador to Washington in the 1930s, opened his embassy’s parlors to African American jazz musicians, who gathered there to play freely in a socio-historical context which was deeply divided by racial segregation at the time. Inspired by this legacy, the ambassador’s sons, Ahmet and Nesuhi, went on to establish the United States’ first jazz and gospel label in 1947 - Atlantic Records - which was seminal in spreading the beauty of jazz music around the world.


 Video Message of Irina Bokova, UNESCO's Director General 




Video Message of Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador & Chairman of Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz(20 sec)

How you can participate to International Jazz Day ?

Culture-centered projects on cultural diversity, dialogue and exchange, cultural heritage, jazz in cultural and creative industries, status and social condition of jazz musicians. Musical events can be organized for the Day. The musical events already scheduled and taking place on 30 April could be occasions to remind and give visibility to the International Jazz Day.

• Jazz-related themes could be discussed through round tables, publications, blogs, book fairs, exhibitions, happenings
• The Ministry of Culture could organize a nation-wide forum on jazz on their website
• A public radio discussion on the future of jazz music in your country
• Record labels and publishing houses could organize a seminar on the business of jazz music
• A seminar organized at music conservatories with music professionals
• Small community jazz concerts organized by the municipalities
• Youth clubs could hold a jazz concert or screen a jazz concert on DVD
• Music schools could be encouraged to organize public concerts for schools
• Music students might give demonstrations or convene discussion groups with students
• The National Commission of your country might organize a concert in partnership with local conservatories

Educational initiatives promoting the history and presenting practices of jazz (origin and transformation, global spread, social inclusion, women’s empowerment, improving technique).

• Teachers (primary and secondary level) may choose to center part of their classes on jazz. Jazz music and jazz videos (concerts, fiction, documentaries) could be discussed
• Literary, artistic or video contests could be organized
• Special scholarships for jazz or jazz-related studies could be offered on the occasion of the Day
• Organize a classroom discussion on the origins of jazz
• Organize a classroom listening session - teachers can bring in a CD, or can log into a UNESCO Jazz Day website for further information
• Organize a classroom exchange/debate with other schools via the UNESCO associated schools network

Social and human sciences projects focusing on the links between jazz and human and cultural rights, social inclusion, communities, migration, urbanization and other social issues.

• Seminars, university classes and round tables (in person or online) could be organized in this context
• Publications (reviews, books, and blogs) can be dedicated to those issues
• Organize a discussion/student presentation on liberation movements and the role of jazz music
• Organize a discussion/student presentation on women's emancipation and jazz music

Communication and information initiatives that concentrate on the links between traditional and/or contemporary media, ICT and jazz.

• Join UNESCO on Facebook  and Twitter to exchange with others about jazz’s impact. Make sure to use #JazzDay in your message!
•  Upload your own jazz music or videos of jazz musicians you admire to Youtube, Facebook or Twitter
• Start a blog about what jazz means to you

24 Apr 2013 - Concert in honour of the General Assembly Committee on Information

  PART I : Jazz, A Language for Peace: The first Dave Brubeck Forum

In Istanbul

ALL STARS JAZZ EVENING CONCERT IN ISTANBUL, APRIL 30, 2013

Hagia Irene church (Istanbul):Dating back to the 4th century, the Hagia Irene, located in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is regarded as an international treasure for music lovers.

• Save the date for the live streaming concert!

• Istanbul Programme: concerts, educational and fringe events (pdf)

In Paris with the Association Paris Jazz Clubs

Paris will bring jazz unto the streets from morning masterclasses up till  "nuit blanche" (overnight) jazz jams.

• Paris Programme (pdf, in French)

• Register to attend the concerts in 4 jazz-clubs of the Rue des Lombards

- See more at: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/international-jazz-day-2013/#sthash.NIbcPyk6.dpuf

PART II : Jazz, A Language for Peace: The first Dave Brubeck Forum

Message from the Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of International Jazz Day, 30 April 2012

International Jazz Day 2012 - Irina Bokova, Director General  
 International Jazz Day, 30 April 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “jazz speaks for life.” This is the spirit of the first International Jazz Day. Jazz has defied almost every attempt at definition. The music critic John Fordham may have captured it best when he described the music of Miles Davis as “the sound of the skipped heart-beat, the caught breath, the sudden smile.” Jazz is music of boundless creativity. Mixing composition and improvisation, the formal and informal, it renews itself every time it is played. Born in the United States, jazz is owned by the world. Rooted in African traditions and drawing on European musical forms, it has taken on new shapes in cultures across the globe. Jazz makes the most of the world’s diversity, effortlessly crossing borders and bringing people together. Jazz has been a force for positive social transformation throughout its history, and it remains so today. This is why UNESCO created International Jazz Day. From its roots in slavery, this music has raised a passionate voice against all forms of oppression. It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures. The same goals guide UNESCO in its efforts to build bridges of dialogue and understanding between all cultures and societies. We work with governments and societies and also with artists, including Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Making the most of cultural diversity is a task we all share. This is why this first International Jazz Day will be celebrated with concerts across the world, from Muscat to Moscow, Yerevan to Havana, Paris and New York to New Orleans. Each of these concerts will display the power of jazz to enhance human dignity, respect and peace. Each is a moment to share the wonders that come from the sound of the skipped heart-beat, the caught breath, the sudden smile. Jazz connects people, cultures and the world. This is our message. 
Irina Bokova