Brussels is ready for its 6th edition of Jazz Day

‘Jazz is a music of peace, and this has never been so important, to fight against new forms of hatred, racism and discrimination, and to strengthen humanity as a single community, sharing a past and a destiny.’

- UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova -

UNESCO Brussels, Jazz.brussels, Flagey, with the support of Monte Paschi Belgio, MIVB/STIB, and many other partners, put together a smashing line up that will jazz-up the capital of the European Union: a series of concerts, events, performances will take place between Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April to celebrate this special day!

Belgium has a strong, flourishing tradition when it comes to jazz music. In fact several musicians and composers were born and bred Belgians. One of them was Toots Thielemans, a multi-instrumentalist whose music touched the souls of many. This great artist was born in Les Marolles district on April 29 1922. He passed away last year after a brilliant career and his birthday occurs the day before the International Jazz Day. One more reason to celebrate his name during these days.

The new generation of jazz-players who won the prestigious Toots Thielemans award will perform around the city centre; we will take you on a walk through the neighborhood where Toots lived and played for many years; two jazz big bands will challenge each other in the heart of the city at De Beurs/la Bourse; in the Brussels metro you will be hearing only jazz tunes. On Sunday starting from 12 p.m., the chill and vibrant Flagey area will turn into a giant, open air jazz factory filled with fanfare, free workshops and educational programs at Flagey cultural house, Mâäk Quintet at Place Sainte Croix, and of course, music all around you! This year edition will reach its pick at Flagey Studio 4, where Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra featuring Dwight Trible will perform at 8:15 p.m.

from  www.eturbonews.com