Foreign Minister Steinmeier on International Jazz Day

Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (30 April) on the occasion of International Jazz Day:

Zusatzinformationen

I would like to offer Till Brönner my most sincere congratulations on his concert today at the White House on the occasion of International Jazz Day! Jazz is, as the legendary Charlie Parker once said, more than just music. Jazz is a way of life. It stands for artistic freedom, inspiration and improvisation. In short, jazz is the expression of a free society. It is also for this reason that jazz has united Germans and Americans for generations and is an indispensable part of the cultural exchange between both sides of the Atlantic. Till Brönner, who is performing tonight at an all-star concert at the White House, is an ambassador for a great number of exceptional artists in this regard.

Together with him and many other artists, we want to make the case for Germany to host International Jazz Day for the first time next year.

Background information:

In 2011, UNESCO designated 30 April as International Jazz Day to highlight the artistic significance of jazz, its roots and its impact on cultural development around the world and to raise awareness of the universal importance of jazz.

The United States is hosting this year’s International Jazz Day with a concert at the White House featuring musicians from around the world at the invitation of US President Obama, including a performance by Germany’s award-winning jazz trumpeter Till Brönner.

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2016/160430_BM_Jazz.html?nn=479796