Kingston, Jamaica: This Thursday, April 30, the world observes International Jazz Day, and Jamaica will again join the celebration. The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, 36 Hope Road, will be jazz central as the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport joins forces with UNESCO and the Jamaica Music Museum to host a concert in support of the global initiative to promote this music genre.
Despite this year’s observance being in danger due to the passing of Hurricane Melissa last October, the event will feature some of the finest local and international talents, including acclaimed New York-based, multi-instrumentalist Mike McGinnis, pianist Dennis Rushton, bass player Dale Haslam, and the JaMM Big Band, with special guest vocalist Tony Gregory. The concert will commence at 7:00 pm.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, noted that Jazz has always been integral to the Jamaican musical experience, so hosting the local event has been a standard on the calendar for many years.
“Hurricane Melissa has really dealt us a blow. So many of the plans and programmes of not only my ministry have had to be curtailed. However, we are pleased that we are able to stage this concert in observance of International Jazz Day. We all know the power that music has to heal, so as we continue our journey following the hurricane, this is one of the means to restore the spirit of the nation,” Minister Grange said.
In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.
International Jazz Day is chaired by the UNESCO Director-General and led by legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and as Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. The Institute is a nonprofit entity charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration.
This musical celebration brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognised for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; fostering gender equality; and promoting freedom of expression.
International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April. In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day. The United Nations and UNESCO now both recognise International Jazz Day on their official calendars.
