Jazz is an American music, developed especially from ragtime and blues and characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. As the great Nina Simone once said, “Jazz is not just music, it is a way of life, it is a way of being, a way of thinking”. The story of Jazz is written into the quest for human dignity, democracy and civil rights. It has given strength to the struggle against discrimination and racism. UNESCO believes in the power of Jazz as a force for peace, dialogue and mutual understanding. This is partly why in November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed 30 April as “International Jazz Day”. International jazz day seeks to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. This day is also intended to raise awareness of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for empathy, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people. Many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens currently engaged in the promotion of jazz music will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.
Also see:
https://news.payperlez.com/index.php/2020/11/06/national-saxophone-day-lets-learn-about-sax/
We cannot talk about jazz without mentioning the wind & woodwind instruments: trumpet, saxophone, trombone. These instruments are like the ‘backbone’ of jazz. There are great jazz legends like as Louis Armstrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzrABouyeE
Currently, there are great jazz musicians across the globe: Wynton Marsalis, Trombone Shorty, Aturo Sandoval and many more.
See Aturo Sandoval, James Morrison, Faddis and Wynton Marsalis on crazy jam!
See Trombone shorty
There are so many benefits associated to jazz music;
- Jazz is a vector of freedom of expression
- Jazz encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones
- Jazz breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;
- Jazz stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.
- Jazz reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;
Due to the dynamism in jazz, many other people try to fuse jazz with different genres of music; so we have AfroPop jazz etc.
Enjoy this AfroPop by Hugh Masekela
Today is jazz day. Get for yourself some jazz tunes and enjoy.
