News

London has taken part in the 2024 Jazz Relay, in celebration of the UNESCO International Jazz Day on April 30th. Read the press release for full details.

"LONDON, April 29, 2024 – The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) announces a new collaborative music video to celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30, 2024 while raising awareness for Sustainable Development Goal #13 - Climate Action.

Ten (10) UNESCO Cities of Music from the global UCCN have produced a collaborative video featuring the traditional Korean folk song, ‘Bird, Bird, Blue bird’. The composition from Daegu, South Korea, brings awareness to the urgent need for Climate Action (UN Sustainable Development Goal #13). UCCN partners spotlight the need for collaborative global efforts to address the climate emergency through local and international action.

The video will have its world premiere on Monday, April 29th at 4:00 p.m. locally.

The Jazz Relay begins with a South Korean performance by Daegu’s Park Si Yeon Trio.

The video travels across six (6) continents featuring ten (10) UNESCO Cities of Music including:

1. Adelaide, Australia
2. Bolzano, Italy
3. Concepción, Chile
4. Daegu, South Korea
5. Glasgow, Scotland
6. Kansas City, USA
7. Leiria, Portugal
8. London, Canada
9. Norrköping, Sweden
10. Port Louis, Mauritius

The traditional Korean lullaby is a song of hope in a time of great uncertainty. The lyrics of the song connect human vulnerability with the common fate of other species, especially birds.  Offered here as a metaphor of connection between humans and other species birds, the song reminds us that all species are vulnerable to climate change. As Cities of Music, the double meaning of the melody and the traditional lyrics connect humans and songbirds, who share systemic molecular similarities linked to vocal learning.

This year’s video was produced by the cities of Daegu (South Korea), London (Canada) and Kansas City (USA).

“London continues to position music as part of the solution. By placing a lens of music on an issue, creative solutions are introduced to ongoing challenges. The climate emergency we all face impacts every human’s day to day existence. This relay is a collaborative effort reinforcing the importance of the UNs Sustainable Develop Goals (SDG) and in this instance, SDG #13 – Climate Action.”- Cory Crossman (Director, London Music Office & London UNESCO City of Music Focal Point)"

UNESCO Creative Cities of Music Links
Website: www.citiesofmusic.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/citiesofmusic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC4PKWuKMPz8fDfJmq_D1NvQ

Production Team
Lead Audio Engineer – Sean Hodge
Assistant Audio Engineer – George Manury
Director/Director of Photography – Matt Sobhy
Assistant Videographer – Mario Meija
Video Editor – Rachel Kalka
Production Coordinator - Richard Gracious

Musicians
Arrangement/Keyboard/Band Leader – Nathan Nykor
Drums – Miguel Thompson
Double Bass – Stefan Sampy
Trumpet – Alexa Brown