UNESCO International Jazz Day
About International Jazz Day
When is International Jazz Day? This holiday is always celebrated on April 30
Get out your sax. Grab your trombone. Dust off your trumpet. Then, bring the old gang together to play a few songs in celebration of International Jazz Day, an April 30 holiday.
This special musical holiday was created by UNESCO to highlight jazz and its role in uniting people around the globe. Artists and jazz enthusiasts alike, eagerly partake in this day. United Nations organizations, communities, schools, and performing arts organizations, are among the many groups to hold jazz concerts and educational programs on this day, to promote jazz as a musical genre, and learn about its historical roots.
Jazz was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 1800s. If you are a jazz enthusiast, at some point in your life you must take a trip to the birthplace of jazz. From its origin in New Orleans, jazz music spread in popularity across the planet. It has an important international role in art, culture , and communications. On International Jazz Day, it is estimated that around a billion people will engage in jazz music in some manner, in celebration of jazz and its effect on people and society.
Musical of the Day: All That Jazz
Did You Know? You just might be seeing double. There is another holiday with the same title. In 1991, Dr. Michael Denny, a board member on the New Jersey Jazz Society, created a second International Jazz Day. It is celebrated in May.
Jazz Trivia
- No one knows where the word came from.
- Originally, it was spelled in several different ways.
- Jazz was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1800s.
- It was one of the most popular music genres of the 1920s. Its popularity continues today.
- It has inspired many dance styles.
Famous Jazz Musicians
There are many famous jazz musicians. Among them are:
Louis Armstong
Nat KingCole
John Coltrane
Duke Ellington
Ella Fitzgerald
Dizzy Gillespie
Benny Goodman
Charlie Parker
How to Celebrate International Jazz Day
Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate this holiday:
- Listen to jazz music.
- Learn about the history of this music genre.
- Watch a movie that features jazz music.
- Attend a jazz concert.
Thought for Today
“Life is a lot like jazz it’s best when your improvise.” – – George Gershwin
History and Origin of International Jazz Day
In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day. UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock is credited with conceiving this day.
This Day in History
In addition to International Jazz Day, here are some other things that happened on April 30:
- George Washington is inaugurated as the first president of the United States. (1789)
- Mr. Potato Head is marketed for the first time. (1952)
- John Galecki, actor, played son Rusty in “Christmas Vacation” movie, Leonard on televison sit-com series “Big Bang Theory”, was born on this day in 1975.
More April 30 Holidays
Besides International Jazz Day, here are more April 30 holidays you will surely enjoy:
More About Today
This Day in History – Indeed, many other important events occurred on this date in April. See what happened on this date in history.
Famous April Birthdays – Did you ever wonder what famous people share your birth date? If so, then find out now!
Ecards – Send a free Ecard daily for International Jazz Day or just about any calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Undoubtedly, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Flower of the Day: Painted Tongue
Recipe of the Day: Ginger Beef Stir Fry
Holiday Insights, where every day in April is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? Besides International Jazz Day, there are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. What’s more, many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. April holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.