Artists from Across the Globe Grace the Stage in Osaka, Japan for International Jazz Day 2014

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140428/82503  

International Jazz Day pays tribute to jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. This year's events took place in all 196 United Nations and UNESCO Member States along with all 50 U.S. states. From Syria , Ukraine and the Central African Republic to Venezuela , Iceland , and the Philippines , thousands of events took place on all seven continents, including McMurdo Station in Antarctica . Beyond planet earth, the crew from the International Space Station sent a special message for peace and goodwill to all nations celebrating International Jazz Day.

In recognition of the third annual International Jazz Day, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stated, "Jazz is more than music – it is a lifestyle, and it is an instrument for dialogue and social change. The history of jazz tells us about the power of music to bring together artists from different cultural backgrounds, as a strength for inclusion and mutual respect."

In acknowledging what has become a global jazz movement, jazz icon and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock said, "I am humbled by the outpouring of positive reactions to the meaning of Jazz Day , which sends a message of optimism, self-respect, and the possibility for harmonious intercultural connections using jazz as a model for diplomacy."

International Jazz Day was adopted by UNESCO Member States on the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock , in order to encourage and highlight jazz's unique power for advancing intercultural dialogue and understanding across the world. International Jazz Day is recognized on the official calendars of UNESCO and the United Nations.

For more information/artist bios:   www.jazzday.com .  

For photos:   http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr223655663

For video:     https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d3izp4df9shch6s/abdoD8UAeq