%20-%20ALEXANDRA%20JA.jpg)
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 Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, 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. 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.
On International Jazz Day 2018, the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro and Legacy and Alchemy LLC again convened Rio's international community at the historic TEATRO RIVAL PETROBRAS in the Cinelandia area in downtown Rio de Janeiro 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.
Alexandra Jackson, her Producers Robert Hebert and Larry Williams, and an all-star group of Brazilian and American musicians: the late Arthur Maia, Teo Lima, Pretinho da Serrinha, Andre Siqueira, Joao Castilho, David Feldman, Rodrigo Tavares, Marcelo Martins and Jesse Sadoc joined the International Jazz Day festivities.
The assembled audience also celebrated the release of: ”Alexandra Jackson: Legacy & Alchemy”, and honored the legendary guests from the album, including the late Dona Ivone Lara, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Miles Davis, Al Jarreau and Oscar Castro-Neves, Ivan Lins and Carlinhos Brown. Ms. Jackson presented the World Premiere original recordings:“Corcovado” — featuring Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim & Ivan Lins; “All One” — featuring Al Jarreau, Larry Williams & Oscar Casto-Neves; and the Carlinhos Brown song: “Veleiros Negros”.
In a special acknowledgment … Ms. Jackson and special guest Pretinho da Serrinha performed the late great Dona Ivone Lara’s “Sonho Meu” and “Força da Imaginação.”
