April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and April 30th is International Jazz Day! Jazz Appreciation Month (fondly known as "JAM") was created by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April. And although jazz celebrations may look different this year, lovers of the genre are finding ways to observe JAM digitally.

In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. Legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock 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.

"Jazz has the power to make men forget their differences and come together… Jazz is the personification of transforming overwhelmingly negative circumstances into freedom, friendship, hope, and dignity,” said jazz legend Quincy Jones.

This year, JAM celebrates the dynamic impact of the often-overlooked contributions that women have made to jazz, both on and off the stage. As performers and conductors, educators, producers and directors of jazz festivals, women have made their mark but have continued to struggle for recognition on par with their male counterparts. You can find out more at the JAM website.

Cape Town, South Africa was designated the Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2020, but due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, International Jazz Day celebrations in Cape Town will not take place as scheduled. Nevertheless, International Jazz Day will be celebrated on April 30 online. Resources, information and ideas on how to mark International Jazz Day can be found on jazzday.com, a website where jazz lovers and practitioners are invited to post their videos and audio recordings.

In Northwest Arkansas, jazz is alive and well even in the middle of a pandemic, and has shifted to the virtual world. If you are a jazz aficionado or interested in learning more about the American contribution to world culture, check out the following resources:

The Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society (NAJS)

NAJS is a non-profit that was founded in 1992. Their mission is “to present, preserve, promote and celebrate the great American art form known as jazz through education, concert presentation and artist promotion.”

The NAJS is a membership organization that has been a community leader in presenting world-class jazz performers in a variety of venues in Northwest Arkansas. The NAJS provides an email service called “JAZZ EVENTS” so you can stay informed on jazz happenings in our region, the KUAF Summer Jazz Concert Series and the NW Arkansas Jazz All-Star Youth Ensemble. Find more information on their website.

KUAF Radio

KUAF is a National Public Radio affiliate featuring NPR news, classical music, jazz, folk, blues and other public radio programs. KUAF 2 features classical music 24 hours a day and KUAF 3 airs jazz around the clock.

Shades of Jazz

Walton Arts Center’s jazz coordinator Robert Ginsburg has been producing KUAF's jazz program, Shades of Jazz, since 1980. The program focuses on a blend of contemporary and classic jazz recordings (from Armstrong to Zawinul and Adderly to Zorn) with features that include new releases, interviews with touring artists, in-studio performances and guest hosts from our region. Listen to the program on 91.3 FM Fridays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m on KUAF 3.

The Jazz Scoop

The Jazz Scoop is a two-hour radio program that features a blend of iconic jazz artists and little-discovered musicians from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and beyond. On this show, you will hear Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and modern artists like Donny McCaslin and Maria Schneider. Host Rob Wells brings vintage vinyl recordings and new releases from local and regional musicians. You can listen on 91.3 FM on Sundays at 11 a.m. on KUAF 3.

Community Music School

An outreach program of the University of Arkansas Music Department, a division of the William J. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Community Music School offers high quality, year-round, individual and group music instruction for students of all ages and ability levels. Their programs include NWA Youth Jazz Workshop, NWA Adult Jazz Workshop and the Fayetteville Jazz Festival. Find more information on their website.

Walton Arts Center 

Walton Arts Center has been on the front line of jazz music programming for the past 28 years. From Herbie Hancock to Diana Krall, Walton Arts Center has hosted the brightest stars of Jazz with the Starrlight Jazz Series. Walton Arts Center also partners with the NWAJS to help high schoolers learn about jazz music from working musicians with the NWA Jazz All-Stars.