Jazz Appreciation Month

A Passion for Jazz! was pleased to join with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in announcing the launch of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). Annually paying tribute to Jazz both as an historic and a living American art form, the first celebration was held in April 2002. During the month of April the museum spotlighted the history and music of Jazz through concerts, programs and museum collections.

Jazz music is among America's greatest cultural achievements and exports to the world community. It gives powerful voice to the American experience. Born of a multi-hued society, Jazz unites people across the divides of race, region and national boundaries. It has always made powerful statements about freedom, creativity and American identity. And now, Jazz finally has its own month, each and every year!

Inspired by the great success of Black History Month, a number of US governors have issued proclamations declaring April to be Jazz Appreciation Month in their states. "The purpose of Jazz Appreciation Month is to draw greater public attention to the extraordinary heritage and history of Jazz music and its importance as an American cultural heritage." In addition, JAM is intended to stimulate the current Jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in Jazz, to study the music, attend concerts, listen to Jazz on radio and recordings, read books about Jazz, and support institutional Jazz programs.

Each year, the month of April continues to maximize JAM's educational potential. Schools may participate with JAM during the school year and April allows student Jazz ensembles to culminate year-long preparations to play at their best. April is also the birth month of a number of leading figures in Jazz: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Dodds, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Tito Puente, and Herbie Hancock.

In 2009 the U.S. Council of Mayors designated April 13 as Jazz 'Media' Day. Also, early in 2012 the UNESCO unanimously agreed to designate April 30 as International Jazz Day to celebrate Jazz music as a rich cultural heritage, a product of cultural collaboration and a universal language of tolerance and freedom. Each year an All-Star Global Concert will be webcast free.

Jazz artists are respected worldwide for their roles in advancing freedom, creativity and unity through Jazz music and the civic action and dialogues their music often sparks, making Jazz men and women among America's greatest cultural ambassadors. 2020 celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month's 19th year.