According to the UNESCO Office in Tashkent, the festival is organized on the occasion of the celebration of the International Jazz Day by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the State Philharmonic of Uzbekistan, the Art and Culture Foundation Development of Uzbekistan, the UNESCO Office in Tashkent, the Ilkhom Theater/Ilkhom Jazz Club, the Municipality of Tashkent City, as well as with the support and participation of the embassies of Czech Republic, France, India, Indonesia, Israel, Hungary, Turkey, United Kingdom and Switzerland in Uzbekistan.

Director of the UNESCO Office in Tashkent, Ms Pilar Alvarez-Laso, stipulated that: “The history of jazz is inextricably linked with the history of the struggle for human dignity, democracy and civil rights. UNESCO believes in the power of jazz to promote peace, dialogue and understanding between people and nations. The aim of our festival is to provide opportunities for jazz musicians from Uzbekistan and abroad to celebrate this universal language of the world, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue through various events. As the great Nina Simon said: “Jazz is not just music, it is a way of life, a method of being and a style of thinking”.

The International Jazz Day brings together civil society, educational institutions, artists, historians, teachers, as well as music lovers from around the world to celebrate this holiday and learn more about jazz, its roots, culture and influence.