Next Tuesday (30 April) marks the 13th year of International Jazz Day.

Established by UNESCO in 2011, the global celebration now reaches over 190 countries and 2 billion people annually. 

Alexander Flood will perform at the Adelaide Jazz Festival. Photo © Max Roux

“Respect for human dignity is firmly integrated into the DNA of jazz,” said pianist Herbie Hancock, who also serves as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. “International Jazz Day honours this important value by embracing the peace and freedom that jazz so eloquently proclaims. And that is the spirit of jazz – finding delight in diversity and creating harmony out of our differences.”

This year’s global four-day celebration (27–30 Apr) takes place in Tangier, Morocco – the first time that it has been hosted by an African city.  With Jeremy Irons as emcee, it features a star-studded international lineup led by Herbie Hancock and Musical Director John Beasley and will be livestreamed around the world – Australian viewers can catch the broadcast here from 1 May, 8am AEST.

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