International Jazz Day

International Jazz Day is a yearly event on 30 April, organized by UNESCO to celebrate “the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people.”

The Day was proclaimed during the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011. The first annual International Jazz Day was kicked off in Paris by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.

Washington, D.C. was chosen to be the International Jazz Day 2016 Global Host City. As International Jazz Day celebrates its 5th anniversary, the U.S. nation’s capital will host a multitude of jazz performances, community service initiatives, and education programs in schools, libraries, hospitals, community centers and arts venues across the city. Washington, D.C. is the birthplace of the great jazz pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington, and the city has enjoyed a thriving jazz scene for the past century. On April 30, 2016, Washington, D.C. will join with towns, cities and villages in over 190 countries on all 7 continents to observe International Jazz Day through thousands of performances and programs.

Jazz can be a blank canvas full of possibilities.

Barbara Januszkiewicz

Jazz is a very accurate, curiously accurate accompaniment to 20th century America.

Ken Burns

One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.

Lou Reed

Jazz is the art of thinking out loud.

Barbara Januszkiewicz

Jazz is about being in the moment.

Herbie Hancock