Intercultural Dialogue Through the Celebration of Jazz

International Jazz Day Global Concert – April 30, 2013 from Hagia Irene, Istanbul, Turkey

Herbie Hancock said, “Using jazz as a tool, I have faith that the music–either through playing an instrument, learning about its rich cultural history, or listening to the millions of recordings made over the past century– will demonstrate that barriers can be broken, unity can be achieved, new forms of expression can be created, and a dialogue between cultures can begin. From my decades long career as a jazz musician, I know first hand that inventive ideas can achieve the impossible, transform humanity, and make productive changes at the grass roots level.” 

 
Photo: Irina Bokova
Credit: Mahmut Ceylon                                                

“Jazz shows the wealth that rises from diversity,” remarked Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO.“This music draws strength from a rich mix of peoples and cultures, and it is woven today into the fabric of every society, played across the world, enjoyed everywhere.”

As the Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2013, Istanbul also featured concerts, lectures, round tables, workshops, and Q&A sessions with high-profile educators and musicians throughout the city. All of these daytime programs were free and open to the public with panel discussions focusing on “Jazz and Freedom,” “Jazz and Women” and “Jazz Festivals and the Art of Promoting Jazz.” Lectures included “The History of Jazz” and “Dave Brubeck and Diplomacy.”

Photo: Herbie Hancock, T.S. Monk, Wayne Shorter
Credit: Mahmut Ceylon

In addition to the events taking place in this year’s host city, thousands of events in 196 countries in every region and continent of the world and all 50 of the United States celebrated International Jazz Day. Kigali, Rwanda presented a “Kigali Jazz 4 Peace” event at the MTN Center Building in Nyarutarama with a film screening and concerts. In Brazil, the city of Sao Paulo celebrated by organizing a special show at Jazznos Fundos to mark the day, with a quartet of great Brazilian musicians. In Italy, the Alexander Platz Jazz Club in Rome presented a concert featuring local artists; and in Malaysia, the Penang Philharmonic Jazz Section marked International Jazz Day with “A Celebration of Jazz 2013” featuring performances by five groups, each with its own unique style and brand of music at Gurney Paragon in Penang.

International Jazz Day was adopted by UNESCO Member States on the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, in order to encourage and highlight jazz’s unique power for advancing intercultural dialogue and understanding across the world. International Jazz Day is recognized on the official calendars of UNESCO and the United Nations.

Photo: Esperanza Spaulding
Credit: Mahmut Ceylon

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is working with UNESCO and its Member States, national commissions, UNESCO networks, UNESCO Associated Schools, universities and institutes, public radio, public television and NGOs, as well as jazz clubs, hotels, and restaurants to organize and promote International Jazz Day events worldwide every year. Libraries, schools, performing arts centers, artists and arts organizations of all disciplines throughout the world are being encouraged to celebrate the day through education programs, presentations, concerts and other jazz-focused activities.