Jazz Appreciation Month was established to encourage musicians, schools, colleges, libraries, concert halls, museums, radio and television stations, and other organizations to develop programs to explore, perpetuate, and honor jazz as a national and world treasure.
Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for Jazz Appreciation Month. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
Audio | Listen to selected Jazz performances
MY HERO Suggested Video
"Ain't Got No, I Got Life" (1968) by Nina Simone" via drMandinga
The 2021 featured artist for Jazz Appreciation Month is Nina Simone.
Download a digital copy of the 2021 JAM poster featuring Nina Simone from the Smithsonian.
Billie's Bounce
This is a rendition of Charlie Parker's acclaimed jazz tune 'Billie's Bounce'. Nicknamed 'Bird', he revolutionized the music industry.
Wayne Shorter's 'Wild Flower' is one of the few jazz waltzes. In 3/4 time, Wayne's harmonic sensibilities really flourish throughout the chordal changes of the tune.
This composition by Clifford Brown was originally recorded by the Clifford Brown and Max Roach Quintet. We reworked it as a slightly more modern piece and extended the improvisations.
Oscar Peterson performing in Montreal in 2004. One of his last performances. This performance was after his stroke and he's still rocking with only his right hand fully functional.
Film | Watch short videos featuring the power of jazz music
In this uplifting short film, directed by Max Thurlow and Nick Trumble, Noisey meets 93-year-old jazz pianist Edward Hardy.
Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.
Celebrate women in jazz with the following stories. These women overcame incredible personal odds and found strength inside themselves that translated to their moving music.
Bessie Smith, 'Empress of the Blues,' left a rich legacy in jazz, blues and rock and roll with her unparalleled artistry and emotion.
"No two people on earth are alike, and it's got to be that way in music or it isn't music." Billie Holiday
Jazz Musicians who have shaped our times
Ella Fitzgerald was the First Lady of Song and used her success to help people of all races, cultures and beliefs.
Art | Jazz as Expressed by Visual Artists
Artists often derive inspiration from various media. This selected work shows how Jazz inspires artists visually and how heroes uplift communities. Below is photography by Carl Van Vechten and a drawing by Eddy Crosby, both showcasing women who contributed immensely to Jazz. Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James became icons in an age when African American women faced not only issues of racism and segregation, but also sexism. They helped to pioneer a world where women could be respected performers. They are honored through art.
Related Pages
Related Links
Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette. |
Audio curated by MY HERO Audio director Stu Pearlman. |
Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editor and Story Director Shannon Luders-Manuel. |
Organizer created on 3/16/2012 10:47:52 AM by Becky Miller
Last edited 3/4/2024 10:58:55 AM by Abigail Richardson