When jazz music starts to play, it's not just the instruments like trombones, saxophones, and trumpets that come alive—everyone seems to come to life and join in! Jazz is a fusion of cultures and styles, and it is constantly evolving. International Jazz Day honours this music genre, which is known for its love for improvisation. This year, International Jazz Day 2024 will be celebrated on April 30, 2024. Jazz originated in New Orleans, but today it is famous all over the globe. Jazz is not just music; it's a journey through African rhythms and the struggles of American slaves. In jazz, freedom of expression and improvisation are considered the ultimate. Those activists who fight for human rights and cultural diversity pick up jazz as their secret weapon. They use its infectious beats to encourage connections between cultures.
Jazz was initially thought of as music for the intellectual. However, it underwent a transformation. Many people assume that jazz evolved from the blues, but don't know that jazz had many influences like European chamber music, blues, marching band tunes, and ragtime. Herbie Hancock, an American jazz composer and pianist, proposed International Jazz Day to UNESCO in 2011. Recognising jazz's role in bringing people together, UNESCO officially declared April 30 as International Jazz Day. Today, over 200 countries celebrate this day every year. This International Jazz Day 2024, let’s take a look at some fun facts about jazz. International Jazz Day HD Images With Quotes: Uplifting Sayings About The Art Form That Can Double Up As Perfect Instagram Captions.
1. Jazz dance comes from lively African folk dances. It evolved from the rhythmic movements of African slaves into a structured art form with defined techniques.
2. Back in the 1930s, being ‘hep’ was the ultimate cool factor, a term people associated with jazz wore like a badge of honour. The word 'hipster' originated here.
3. Jazz, which was started in the early 20th century, originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, USA.
4. It is said that listening to jazz tunes makes your brain kick into high gear. It stimulates the theta brain waves, which are associated with creativity and problem-solving.
5. While the saxophone often steals the spotlight in jazz music, it's the clarinet that was mainly used in jazz music long before the saxophone took centre stage.
6. The sweet melodies of jazz started new dance moves, like the lively Charleston, sultry Argentine tango, energetic Lindy Hop, and rhythmic Mambo.
7. The word 'jazz' has a mysterious past, and nobody knows exactly where it came from. Some think it started as slang, spelled in various ways like 'jaz,' 'jass,' 'jas,' and 'jasz,' while others think it came from the energetic style of baseball players.
8. The jazz era gifted us with a treasure trove of words that we still use today—think razz, funky, and cool, just to name a few. International Jazz Day: Date, History and Significance of the Day That Celebrates Jazz Music.
So, as we celebrate International Jazz Day 2024, let's remember the history and spirit of this genre that captivated the hearts of people all around the world. Let's keep swinging to the beat and spreading the love for jazz far and wide!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2024 08:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).