International Jazz Day is Celebrated for Ninth Consecutive Year in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, February 4, 2020 – On November 2011, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 of each year as International Jazz Day. The goal was to highlight the importance of this very American musical genre and the role it has played in international diplomacy. Through its music, jazz has managed to bring together peoples from all over the world to promote peace, a cultural dialogue, diversity and respect for human rights and human dignity. Also, the elimination of discrimination, promotes liberty of expression, strengthen gender equality and highlight the importance of youth in social change.

From the very first day, April 30, 2012, and each following year after that, event organizers choose a city to host the worldwide event. In 2018, St. Petersburg, in Russia, hosted the event. And, in 2019, Sydney, Australia was the host city. During these particular events top world-class jazz performers presented their art in hundreds of venues, including schools, community and art centers, hospitals, libraries, and hospitals, among others. On the evening of April 30, the All-Star Global Concert is held worldwide featuring the best jazz artists. This year, Cape Cod, South Africa, will be the host of the international event.

Legendary jazz artist Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Ambassador for Inter-Cultural Dialogue stated: “International Jazz Day is a way of highlight, supporting and pushing forth the unifying power of music through these celebrations and activitiies.”

The Dominican Republic has been a part of this world celebration since the very beginning. This year it will celebrate its ninth uninterrupted event, thus joining the 193 nations that will celebrate jazz through thousands of presentations and special programs.

As in the previous eight years, there will be many jazz events held throughout the country. Some examples: The Haina Jazz Collective will hold various events; Jazz in Sosúa; UNPHU University – as host of the XI Latin American Congress of Music Schools – will hold a special closing-event concert dedicated to Jazz Day. Also, Fedujazz, Sandy Gabriel and Rafelito Mirabal, along with the radio program “Espacio Universal,” will also join in the festivities.

In the country’s eastern region the Eastern Jazz Collective will hold a special concert, while “Jazz Dominicana” announced that it will hold three special events titled Jazz Nights at Acrópolis, to be held on April 15, 24 and May 1.
We will provide more information in the upcoming weeks on the venues and programs.