World celebrates International Jazz Day

April 30 is known as International Jazz Day, celebrated to raise awareness of the values of jazz as an educational tool and a force for peace, unity, dialogue, and expanded cooperation among people.

To mark this date, various events are organized in many countries to promote this musical genre, which is very popular around the world, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

UNESCO designated April 30 for this day through a resolution adopted at its General Conference in November 2011.

Jazz music is a highly intellectual genre that creates unique feelings and emotions in individuals. Melody, rhythm, harmony, and modal improvisation make jazz a distinctive form of art.

Jazz as a musical style emerged in the early 20th century within the African American community in the southern United States. It developed from a blend of African and European musical traditions. From its beginnings to today, jazz has incorporated elements from American popular music, giving rise to many distinct styles such as New Orleans Jazz (early 1910s), Gypsy Jazz (1930s–1940s), Bebop (mid-1940s), Cool Jazz, Avant-garde Jazz, and others.

The most commonly used instruments in jazz include the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, double bass, xylophone, and, after the 1970s, electric instruments.

Photo: UNESCO