About Us

International Jazz Day Ohio is presented by the Columbus Jazz Alliance, a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization, along with its 24 hour Jazz radio station, Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX. The Columbus Jazz Alliance is an organization whose volunteers and supporters are musicians and non-musicians, essentially art and jazz music enthusiasts that enjoy jazz and are interested in promoting jazz performances and education. Ohio has been the home of many jazz musicians, historians, educators, supporters and those that appreciate the wonderful art of Jazz.

Columbus Jazz Alliance is an organization dedicated to diversity and inclusiveness. In order for there to be a vibrant jazz music entertainment community, performance opportunities and equal access to these opportunities must exist and should not be controlled by any one entity or group. Recognizing, respecting and honoring the contributions of our musicians before and after their death is necessary to keep the pipeline full of future musicians and the art of jazz alive. Jazz Appreciation Month and the International Jazz Day celebration plays an important role in accomplishing this.

The Columbus Jazz Alliance, International Jazz Day Ohio and Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX radio station, are an officially authorized United Nations, UNESCO, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, International Jazz Day Participant, a worldwide event representing the best of Jazz in Ohio.

Help Keep The Art of Jazz Music Alive

Join Us In The Celebration Of Jazz

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. The Institute is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration.

International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; promoting freedom of expression; fostering gender equality; and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April. In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day. The United Nations and UNESCO now both recognize International Jazz Day on their official calendars.