International Jazz Day – April 30 Jazzchelles, a new association to promote, increase awareness of jazz in Seychelles |04 May 2022
Jazzchelles is the name of a new association launched on Saturday aimed at promoting and increasing awareness of jazz music in Seychelles.
Under the leadership of pianist Mickey Anthony, the Jazzchelles association is committed towards encouraging and supporting creations, presentations, and preservation of jazz music, supporting the creation of new audiences for jazz music, providing education and information about jazz, encouraging young musicians to learn and appreciate jazz, developing a network among local and regional jazz advocates and also increasing awareness of jazz events and musicians in our community.
The other members of the association are Antoine Souris, Barbara Coopoosamy, Nidia Souris, Mervin Nibourette, Aaron Jean, Pierre Joseph and Ringo Joubert.
The association was officially launched to coincide with International Jazz Day on April 30. National Arts and Crafts Council (NACC) chief executive Jimmy Savy had the honour of presiding the launch during a ceremony held at the National History Museum in Victoria, in the presence of principal secretary for culture within the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), Cecile Kalebi.
The launch began with an insight on the history, development and success of jazz by local veteran musician and instructor Jerry Souris who, through his presentation gave an account on the life of Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971) who was an American trumpeter and vocalist and is among the most influential figures in jazz, whose career spanned five decades and different eras in the history of jazz.
On his part, chairman Anthony went down memory lane and shared his own journey which started over 20 years ago with local jazz band Paradise Jazz Quintet alongside bassist Jean Quatre, drummer François Wirtz and trombonist Michel Pharabeau.
Anthony explained that he is very hopeful about the group and the progression of jazz music locally since it features members of all ages, all with the same commitment and vibrant energy to push the association forward.
The association’s logo which portrays jazz with a Creole touch has been designed by Pierre Joseph.
Saturday’s activity continued with live performances outside the museum, precisely in front of the Jubilee Fountain.
International Jazz Day is an International Day declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 2011 to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.
It is celebrated annually on April 30, and the idea came from jazz pianist and Unesco Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.
After his designation as a Unesco Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue on July 22, 2011, Hancock announced his intention to create an International Day celebrating the diplomatic role of jazz. In November 2011, following a favourable recommendation by the 187th executive board, Unesco's general conference proclaimed April 30 as International Jazz Day, recognising jazz as a means to develop and increase intercultural exchanges and understanding between cultures for the purpose of mutual comprehension and tolerance.
The date of April 30 was proposed to position International Jazz Day as the culmination of the Smithsonian Institution's April Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), though no formal connection exists between JAM and International Jazz Day.
It was in November 2011, that 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. The United Nations General Assembly formally recognised International Jazz Day on its official calendar in December 2012.
The accompanying photographers taken by our photographer Joena Meme show some of the activities organised on thenday.
Roland Duval
