Club member organizes one-night virtual jazz extravaganza for 'International Jazz Day,' Friday

This year the United Nations' “International Jazz Day” on Friday, April 30, is being produced by National Press Club member Harry Schnipper, executive director of the longtime Washington, D.C., jazz venue, Blues Alley.

Feature of the observance is a one-night virtual event at 5 p.m., April 30, presenting top artists from the "Embassy Jazz Series," a multicultural, colorfully creative potpourri of artists, countries and music.

The series concept was conceived over two decades ago when the United States discontinued its Jazz Ambassadors diplomacy program and began importing overseas jazz artists from overseas. Over the past two decades these overseas jazz artists have flourished under the banners of their own nations, but now the April 30 event provides a rare opportunity to present six embassies and 17 artists over one night.

The event promises to be a kaleidoscopic journey around the world with six separate platforms offering a multitude of musical offerings. The theme is hope, unity and democracy with an aim to promote “International Jazz Day” through the world’s love of this musical art form.

Schnipper has organized the all-virtual event to include 17 jazz greats from throughout the world by working with the embassies of Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Poland and Greece. He has arranged for members to have access to this program at no charge, but registration is required.