Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 30 April, international jazz day, the universal language of creativity and freedom, is celebrated around the world.

In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual celebration of International Jazz Day and a traditional concert planned to be held in Cape Town (South Africa) will take place online. Many other events planned around the world will be held in the same format, Dunyo reported with reference to the UN News Center.

“Music is a joy, it is sensitive to situations affecting the whole world,” said UNESCO Director General Audrey Azule. She added that jazz is the music of freedom, human rights and emancipation. “Celebrating the ninth International Day of Jazz in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that jazz music will bring us even closer than before,” added the head of UNESCO.

Herb Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, will be the artistic director of the concert, featuring artists from around the world. The concert will take place on Thursday, 30 April at 19:00 GMT and will be broadcast live via the link.

Artists from many countries of the world will take part in it, including Igor Butman, Eugene Pobozhiy, John McLaughlin, Jane Monhayt, Alyun Wade, John Beasley, BenWilliams, Liz Wright, John Scofield, Yoon Sun Na, A Boo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diana Reeves and Joey De Francesco.

On 30 April, there will also be a series of free virtual educational workshops, children's events and panel discussions with famous teachers and jazz artists. Broadcasting of events will be carried out by reference.

International Jazz Day was officially proclaimed at the 36th session of UNESCO General Conference in November 2011. The first annual International Jazz Day was held in Paris in 2012. It was then opened by UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. This Day promotes recognition of the role of jazz in promoting dialogue, combating discrimination and respect for human dignity. International Jazz Day has become a global movement, joined annually by billions of people around the world.