Tomorrow (Thursday 30) is International Jazz Day. In November 2011 UNESCO designated April 30 as an annual day of celebration of jazz as an art form and in recognition of its role in the world of diplomacy. It was Herbie Hancock who first proposed the idea of a day-long series of concerts around the world and since 2012 the pianist, who recently turned 80, together with other stellar figures, has been at the forefront of the event.
The schedule for this year's concerts was in place but the current global pandemic has prompted a rethink. In recent weeks many musicians have been streaming online 'lockdown' concerts from the relative safety of their own homes and this model has been adopted by International Jazz Day. A vast number of performances will take place in many countries (including Britain) alongside masterclasses and seminars. Participants include Dee Dee Bridgewater, Igor Butman, Joey DeFrancesco, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves and John Scofield. A detailed timetable of tomorrow's events can be found at: www.jazzday.com
Russell
1 comment :
The date is also significant as, in 2014, it was the date when Newcastle's Jazz Coop purchased The Globe pub, the first cooperatively owned music venue in the UK. The Coop have celebrated International Jazz Day every year since with free all day concerts by local musicians. To the best of my knowledge the only venue in the area to do so.
This year's IJD would have been no different except possibly bigger and even better. However, the best laid schemes of mice and men...
If and when The Globe does reopen it is going to need all the support it can get from the jazz community by supporting gigs, volunteering in whatever capacity you feel you are qualified to do and most importantly, financially...
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