International Jazz Day Proclamation Signed

Minister of Community and Cultural Development Wayne Scott today [Apr 30] signed Bermuda’s first International Jazz Day Proclamation, on behalf of Premier Craig Cannonier at City Hall during a ceremony held to inaugurate a new appreciation for the benefits of jazz music bringing people together in Bermuda and around the world.

The event was organized by local jazz musician,Mr. Wendell “Shine” Hayward and attended by U.S. Consul General Mr. Robert Settje. 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.

“Jazz is an international art form 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 for social change,” Minister Scott said.

“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,” the Minister added.

Apart from the Proclamation ceremony, segments of jazz are scheduled to be played throughout the day on local radio stations, an educational component organized for schools on the role of jazz involving youth in social change and a live jazz jam session at Shine’s House of Music and Entertainment this evening.

Mr. Hayward plans to continue to keep Bermuda as a regular participant in celebrating International Jazz Day and hopes that the Government and the people of Bermuda will embrace the day and appreciate the role that jazz has played in uniting communities. Partners in this year’s celebration of this event include, the Ministry of Community and Cultural Development, the U.S. Consulate General, the Ministry of Education and The Bermuda Federation of Variety Artists.

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Category: All, Entertainment, Music