“In essence, jazz is a music of peace, and this has never been so important, to fight against new forms of hatred, racism and discrimination and to strengthen humanity as a single community, sharing a past and a destiny,” said Irina Bokova, in her message for this year’s International Jazz Day — April 30. The…
The ancient city of Osaka, with its 1,400 years of history, stepped into the global spotlight today. Known for being Japan’s economic and cultural hub, as well as for its legendary history as Japan’s “jazz mecca” in the early-to-mid 1920s, Osaka hosted International Jazz Day 2014, which concluded in a spectacular All-Star Global Concert in…
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, in partnership with the Republic of Turkey, commemorated the power of jazz as a vehicle for peace, unity, dialogue and the enhanced cooperation of all people. The Istanbul Jazz Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, served…
April 30, the world took a giant step toward giving the profound art form of jazz its proper recognition, as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization celebrated the first annual International Jazz Day at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York. Some 1,500 dignitaries and guests attended the landmark event, having been…
“Ladies and gentlemen, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to [the goals of our core mission—bringing cultures together, and protecting the rights and dignity of every individual], I am honored to designate Mr. Herbie Hancock as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Culture, for the promotion of intercultural dialogue.” With these words, from United Nations Educational, Scientific,…