International Jazz Day

Since 2012, jazz fans have been celebrating International Jazz Day on April 30th each year. The guiding principle is to “highlight jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people across the globe.” It’s that time again! We celebrate musical diversity and unity.

Jazz as a cultural blueprint fvor the world

Jazz pianist and UNESCO Ambassador Herbie Hancock takes the lead alongside UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay for Jazz Day. In Herbie Hancock’s announcement, he stated, “Given conflicts and divisions in many parts of the world, I hope that this year’s celebration can inspire people of all nations towards healing, hope, and cooperation in promoting peace.”

Annual All-Star Global Concert as the crowning finale

The finale, as in previous years, will be the online-streamed “All-Star Global Concert,” featuring over two dozen top-tier jazz musicians from around the world.

Unequivocally diverse: genre without pigeonholes

There is no universally valid definition of jazz, but there is a charming one: it is often described as the music of the moment, especially as the musicians often deviate from the sheet music, improvise, and play what they feel in that instance. As such, improvisation, syncopation, call-and-response elements, and, for the most part, a swinging rhythmic feel are among the most important characteristics of jazz. In addition, jazz celebrates musical innovation and encourages the deliberate breaking of rules. After all, who wants to constrain themselves by thinking in outdated categories? In a sense, jazz always has something experimental about it. From the very beginning, musicians have always embraced new and extravagant ideas. As a result, jazz quickly evolved into a wide variety of multifaceted subgenres.

From New Orleans to joyful diversity

Jazz began around 1915 in New Orleans as a fusion of the blues music of African-American slave labourers in the southern states of the USA and the diverse cultural influences of European immigrants. Various sub-genres subsequently developed, such as Dixieland, Chicago Jazz, and – when bands outside of the black community began to play jazz from the 1930s onwards – swing, which was mostly danceable. From around the 1950s, things became even more confusing and jazz evolved into the wilder bebop, the mellower cool jazz, gypsy swing, Latin jazz, jazz rock, fusion jazz, and many other facets.

Typical instruments in jazz

Jazz is deeply rooted in the idea that the personality of the player should shape the performance of a piece. Every jazz musician strives to develop their own characteristic sound and musical signature. Jazz embraces individuality and diversity, which is why there is no fixed set of instruments. The trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, and now also the tuba are some of the most common solo instruments in jazz. The rhythm section is made up of the drum set and the bass – usually in the form of a double or upright bass. Chordal instruments include the guitar, banjo, and especially the piano, all of which can also shine as soloists.

Yamaha YTR-8335LA Trumpet – 2. Gen.

Yamaha YFH-8310 Z 02 Flugelhorn

Thomann MK II Handmade Tenor Sax

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .480/88″ MKII BZ

Legendary jazz greats

The range of outstanding jazz musicians is so vast that any attempt to compile a definitive list of the most influential artists is bound to fail. Those not mentioned here may please forgive me. Among the most notable guitarists in the history of jazz are Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and Wes Montgomery, as well as John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, and Al Di Meola. On the trumpet, there were heroes such as Dizzy Gillespie (the man with the “bent trumpet”), the innovative genius Miles Davis, and, of course, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and the virtuoso Chet Baker. Pianist Count Basie was known as the “Count of Swing” and pioneered the comping technique. And Jazz Day organiser Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern jazz. Let’s not forget Charlie Parker on the saxophone, Ella Fitzgerald with her brilliant voice, and many more. There are so many who deserve to be admired.

Good vibes

Last, but not least, we shouldn’t forget the vibraphonists. After all, there is no genre in which this instrument is more popular than in jazz. The first person to introduce the vibraphone was Red Norvo. Then came Lionel Hampton (the personification of a musical volcano) and Milt Jackson, who adapted Charlie Parker’s innovations to the instrument.

Click here for specialized books on jazz!

Hal Leonard Downbeat – Jazz Interviews

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Hal Leonard Jazz Play-Along Miles Davis

Plenty of fresh talent

The fact that there is no shortage of new talent in jazz is proof of its diversity. It remains to be seen who will inspire us on Global Jazz Day, especially as the worldwide line-up has not yet been officially announced. The Green Dolphin Orchestra at Alte Feuerwache in Mannheim? Or the virtuoso tabla master Zakir Hussain – one of the chief architects of the contemporary world music movement – alongside John McLaughlin and Jean-Luc Ponty? With “Lotus Feet”, this trio blew everyone away:

John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Zakir Hussain: „Lotus Feet“ International Jazz Day Istanbul

Feedback: Do you like jazz?

Do you like playing or listening to jazz? Who are your favorite jazz musicians? Tell us in the comments below!

Lawrence started playing the electric guitar because of his passion for rock music. Back in the day he played in a metal band, but now plays more for himself.

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