JazzApril 2014: FAQs

Here are some answers to the questions we're asked most about JazzApril.

What IS JazzApril?

It's a shorthand way to say "April is Jazz Month" and to tie together the Smithsonian's annual celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month in April and International Jazz Dayon April 30. The Jazz Journalists Association began its JazzApril project in 2012 to celebrate and promote both JAM and IJD. As part of that project, the JJA works with members of LOCAL jazz communities to:

• raise the profile of jazz in the media, especially local media
• reach out to people who aren't already part of the jazz audience and share the music and its history
• strengthen local, national and international jazz NETWORKS
• give some props to the people who keep jazz alive locally via the JJA's Jazz Hero awards.

You, yes, you can participate as an individual, or as part of an organization, school, business or media outlet.

Wait a minute: Why do we need a special month for jazz? I play/listen to/teach about/promote/celebrate jazz all year.

So do we! But we think it can be very effective, once a year, to make a special, united effort to show the world that there arelots of us who play, listen to, teach about, work to further, and care about the music. With the decline of the recording industry, and the shrinkage of record company promotional budgets, it's all too easy for non-jazz media to overlook the ongoing creativity and productivity of  jazz musicians, and to ignore the important contributions of jazz educators, organizations and businesses to local cultural and economic life. In short, we know jazz is alive and well, and we want everyone else to know it, too. 

OK then-- so how can I participate in JazzApril?

Below are some things everyone can do; on other pages of this site you'll find additional ways musicians, educators, journalists/media makers, broadcasters and businesses and organizations can participate.

Whoever you are, you can spread the word about JazzApril and about Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day by doing the following:

• Add the JazzApril ribbon ("Twibbon") to your Facebook and Twitter icon.
• Use Facebook, Twitter and other social media to tell your friends about your April jazz activities --whether that means performing at or attending a jazz concert, teaching your class about jazz history, or listening to a jazz record you love.  Include #jazzapril or #jazzday and #celebrateJAM and your Tweet will be seen on the Twitter widget on this site.