As designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) back in November 2011, April 30 is International Jazz Day. UNESCO explains the day’s purpose is “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.” 

Created as the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, International Jazz Day is intended to create intercultural dialogue and to enhance global cooperation through the appreciation of and education about jazz music. Together with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, American composer and musician Herbie Hancock co-leads International Jazz Day, which this year is highlighted by a concert in Tangier, Morocco, featuring a lineup that includes U.S. musicians Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Marcus Miller and Shemekia Copeland. What’s more, this year’s International Jazz Day happens the day after the 125th anniversary of the birth of jazz great Duke Ellington. Let’s get in on all the fun and commemorations by celebrating some jazz!

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what jazz or jazz-influenced songs do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra – Take The 'A' Train
Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Santiago
A Tribe Called Quest – Jazz (We've Got)
Ella Fitzgerald – I've Got A Crush On You
Kamasi Washington – Desire
Miles Davis – Boplicity
The Bad Plus – And Here We Test Our Powers Of Observation