Jazz stands for freedom. It’s supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don’t be a perfectionist – leave that to the classical musicians.
Dave Brubeck
Today is the tenth Annual International Jazz Day. It’s the day declared, and set apart by the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.” The great jazz pianist, Herbie Hancock brought the idea forward while serving as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Hancock has famously said, “Jazz is about being in the moment.” I think that’s part of why I’m so drawn to this form of expression.
I’ll be getting my Jazz on all day. Today I’ll be focusing on Bebop, Hard Bop, Modal, and Free Jazz… may even dip into some Acid Jazz.
Jazz music is America’s past and its potential, summed up and sanctified and accessible to anybody who learns to listen to, feel, and understand it. The music can connect us to our earlier selves and to our better selves-to-come. It can remind us of where we fit on the timeline of human achievement, an ultimate value of art.
Wynton Marsalis
Happy International Jazz Day!
Peace, dwight
