World-famous jazz trumpeter and composer, Wynton Marsalis (left), and renowned jazz bassist, Christian McBride, perform at the inaugural International Jazz Day Concert at UN Headquarters. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
"This is a day to honour jazz and its enduring legacy, as well as to recognize the power of this music to bring people together."
— UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay
International Jazz Day is intended to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people. Many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens currently engaged in the promotion of jazz music will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.
Why Jazz?
Jazz breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;
Jazz is a vector of freedom of expression;
Jazz is a symbol of unity and peace;
Jazz reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;
Jazz fosters gender equality;
Jazz reinforces the role youth play for social change;
Jazz encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones;
Jazz stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.
By celebrating International Jazz Day, we:
Recognize the unique musical style that jazz represents;
Raise international awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding;
Mobilize the intellectual community, decision-makers, cultural entrepreneurs, cultural and educational institutions and the media to promote jazz-related values as a vector of UNESCO’s mandate, pioneering role and intellectual mission;
Reinforce international cooperation and communication in the field of jazz music.
http://www.un.org/en/events/jazzday/
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