. Since 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.
. It 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 recognized 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.
FineJazz has two events to celebrate the diversity that is jazz in Australia:
~ A History of Jazz In Australia, streaming off this webpage;
and on-air from 102.5FM, Fine Music on DAB+, or listen live from the webpage footer:
~ Classic Jazz – danceable jazz from down under, on-air from Sunday at noon.
A History of Jazz In Australia – This year, FineJazz on 2MBS Fine Music Sydney is broadcasting the award-winning series produced for 2MBS Fine Music, History of Jazz In Australia, produce by Dr Bruce Johnson, in conjunction with his respected reference The Oxford Companion to Jazz In Australia (1987). Episodes include:
1.Introduction and beginnings
2.Beginnings in Australia
3.1920s jazz visitors to Australia
4.1920s Regional influences: Sydney and Melbourne
5.1930s After the Stock Market Crash
6.1930s Post Depression
7.Late 1930s Swing
8.Swing and Classic Jazz
9.Mid1940s Frank Coughlan
10.Classic Jazz Movement
11.1930s to 1950s Progressive Jazz and Bop
12.Bell Brothers
13.1940s to 1960s Revisionism of Styles and Moldy Figs
14.1950s Jazz and Rock’n’Roll
15.1950s Trad boom
16.1960s Modern Jazz
17.1960s Arrival of Pop
18.1970s-80s Re-emergence of Jazz
19.1980s Australian Jazz
20.1980s Australian Jazz Into The Future
21.1990s Aus Jazz Awards
22.2000s The Noughties
23.The Teens 2010s
24.2020s AusJazzToday
Listen to the history
Australian International Jazz Day Events
Check out the 2022 International Jazz Day concert
Watch the 2021 International Jazz Day Virtual Concert
Watch the 2019 International Jazz Day Concert in Melbourne
Watch the 2019 International Jazz Day Master Class in the Sydney Opera House
ABC’s A Beginners Guide to Jazz by Henry Rasmussen
