THE sixth annual International Jazz Day will be celebrated all over the world this Sunday April 30th and none more so than on the banks of the Foyle where the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival will be in full swing.
The day is marked on the same date each year to celebrate the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people around the world.
Andrea Campbell, Festival and Events Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted that the festival will coincide with one of the biggest dates on the global jazz calendar.
“International Jazz Day is an opportunity for us to showcase the festival and our local talent while being part of a wider international celebration that helps promote jazz music across the world,” she said.
“It aims to bring together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics and jazz enthusiasts to celebrate and learn about the genre and its roots, future and impact.
“We have a packed programme of events planned for the day itself as part of our six day celebration of jazz and big band music from April 26th until May 1st.”
International Jazz Day is recognised on the official calendars of both UNESCO and the United Nations and this year’s Global Host City for the day is the Jazz mad city of Havana.
Closer to home over 85 performances will be taking place around Derry City as musicians and jazz lovers celebrate the day with all the enthusiasm you would expect in the Cuban capital.
The climax of the day will be the first of two Millennium Forum shows from Dublin songstress Imelda May where she will treat fans to a taster of her new album and sound that takes a step away from the fifties rock tracks of old.
Tickets for the Imelda May shows are sold out but they remain for a host of events including a free creative writing ‘All What Jazz’ session at the Holywell Trust on Sunday morning and a lunchtime presentation and Q&A on one handed piano playing by Steinway artist Robert Mitchell at the Playhouse.
Back in the Playhouse on Sunday evening, Paul McIntyre and friends will feature Marjorie Barnes and a special guest appearance by local Jazz legend Gay McIntyre.
The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival which will feature five days of live music throughout the City and District from 27th April to 1st May.
The packed lineup will be headlined by household names Imelda May and Hot Chocolate and will be complimented by a number of workshops and education programmes that aim to bring Jazz to the community.
For all the latest news and event updates check out City of Derry Jazz Festival on Facebook, or follow the Twitter page @derryjazzfest.
The full programme is available online at www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com. For details on any remaining accommodation deals during the Jazz Festival contact www.visitderry.com.
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