International Jazz Day was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 2011.
The idea came from jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. Jazz Day is chaired by Hancock and the UNESCO Director-General. The celebration is recognised on the calendars of both UNESCO and the United Nations.
Nearly 200 countries participate in International Jazz Day every year. In addition to concerts and jam sessions, events include workshops, conferences, and community outreach.
In Croatia, jazz-related events will be organised in Zagreb, Split, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Varazdin, Cakovec, Karlovac and Koprivnica.