JazzBuffalo Celebrates International Jazz Day With A Free Event For the Jazz Community And The City Of Buffalo On Sunday, April 30th
International Jazz Day, which falls on April 30th every year, is an important day for jazz music because it provides an opportunity to celebrate and promote the genre’s rich history and impact on the global community. International Jazz Day was first established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 to recognize jazz music’s ability to promote intercultural dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding. The celebration aims to raise awareness about the importance of jazz music as a common medium for peace, unity, and creativity.
The jazz legend, Herbie Hancock, has been a driving force in establishing and expanding International Jazz Day. Since it first began, Hancock has served as the chief ambassador for International Jazz Day. Lending his voice to the day and leading the annual Global Jazz Concerts in international cities chosen throughout the world each year. On his visit last year to Buffalo, at the spectacular concert at Kleinhans Music Hall, he gave mentioned to JazzBuffalo and our role in the annual celebration of International Jazz Day during conversations backstage.
This year, JazzBuffalo will once again be an official participant in the global festivities with our 5th Annual International Jazz Day Celebration. A free event for the community is planned on Sunday, April 30th from 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The event will take place at what has become one of Buffalo’s iconic buildings and locations – the Seneca One Tower in the Seneca One Auditorium.
JazzBuffalo is presenting a Jazz Trio Festival and then a special closing concert featuring a quintet of our finest next-generation jazz musicians. Scheduled to perform are some of Buffalo’s best jazz trios and jazz artists:
Jazz Trio Festival:
Andrew Nixon Trio, Donny Frauenhofer Trio, and The Cousins Trio.
Headline Performance:
Lindsey Holland Unit featuring Lindsey Holland, John Troy, Jared Tinkham, Ed Croft, and Alec Dube
The schedule is planned as follows:
1:15 pm – The Andrew Nixon Trio
2:45 pm – The Donny Frauenhofer Trio
4:00 pm – Livestream of International Jazz Day Global Concert
5:00 pm – The Cousins Trio
6:30 pm – The Lindsey Holland Unit
There will be approximately 20-30 minutes between each performance to allow for changeover and set up. Giving all a chance to stretch.
Additionally, we will make every effort to live stream the annual International Jazz Day Global Concert so you can see and hear it on the big screen! Here is what is scheduled and the jazz stars scheduled to appear:
Herbie Hancock will take viewers on an international tour of sights and sounds showcasing jazz in all its diversity. The concert will feature performances from Beijing, China; Beirut, Lebanon; Casablanca, Morocco; Johannesburg, South Africa; Marondera, Zimbabwe; Paris, France; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Vienna, Austria; and Fairbanks, Honolulu, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC, USA.
The live-streamed concert event will feature performances by some of the world’s most accomplished jazz artists, including Cyrille Aimée (France), Thana Alexa (USA), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), Bill Charlap (USA), Emmet Cohen (USA), Tom Gansch (Austria), Melody Gardot (USA), Christian McBride (USA), Sérgio Mendes (Brazil), Marcus Miller (USA), Thandi Ntuli (South Africa), Philippe Powell (France), Dianne Reeves (USA), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (Rwanda) and Mike Stern (USA), among others. Renowned Mbira player Musekiwa Chingodza (Zimbabwe) will duet with Oran Etkin (Israel) on baritone clarinet; the Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra joins the Global Concert from Beijing; and JazzWomenAfrica celebrates from Casablanca.
JazzBuffalo and the city of Buffalo once again join the special day that is marked by numerous events and concerts around the world. As we’ve done before on International Jazz Day, it is a chance for bringing together musicians, jazz fans, and various communities in our great city. To celebrate the rich history and the diverse styles of jazz. It is also an opportunity to showcase our fantastic next-generation talent.
We have made this year’s International Jazz Day a free event in the spirit of promoting community and global peace. Donations are suggested and will be kindly accepted to help us fund the event, contribute to our annual Summer of Jazz season where we provide free jazz events to the community, and contribute to the annual MS Walk.
We encourage you to register for the free event since seats are limited to 250 seats. Visit the Eventbrite link below to register and you will also find an opportunity to donate. Donations will be accepted at the event on Sunday as well.
Join us for a day of community and celebrating the uniquely American art form we all love – jazz. A day of fabulous jazz performances, a chance to see old friends and meet new friends, and a chance to be together in the common spirit of our passion for jazz.
Click on the link below to register and save a spot for what promises to be a memorable time celebrating International Jazz Day:
Music & culture from an all inclusive international flavor is Buffalo’s greatest gift. This free international concert, made it possible for those with limited income to attend. Not only showcasing Buffalo finest musicians but also presenting the roots of Jazz through the story of internationally known jazz musicians. I am proud of Jazz Buffalo for creating this presentation for all to relate to the creative expression of Jazz through many places around the world.
I am excited with anticipation of the music they will select and I know I will be astounded by their performance! Looking forward to celebrating International Jazz Day.