Jazz Appreciation Month is here and we’d like to reflect on what jazz means to the community of Charlotte.

Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) was created in 2001 by Dr. John Edward Hasse, curator at The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. In 2011, the United Nations (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. Shortly after, Mayor Anthony Foxx declared April 30th Jazz Appreciation Day in Charlotte, in recognition of the impact jazz has had on creativity, art, heritage, diversity, and education on our community.

Of course, at JazzArts Charlotte, we live and breathe jazz, day in and day out. It is our privilege to bring all the facets of jazz to this community from the classroom to the JAZZ ROOM. April is an opportunity to step back and reflect on what that means to us and to you.

This month, we’d like you to tell us. Whether you are a jazz fan, or performer, a jazz student or instructor, new to jazz or a life-long listener, enjoy modern jazz or classic, we’d like to know what role it plays in your life and your community.

This 2-minute survey is for you. In a few short words, we’d love for you to share your thoughts. If you’d like to tell your story, we’d love that too! Your response enters you in a contest for 2 tickets to an upcoming JAZZ ROOM show. And at the end of the month, we look forward to sharing what you had to say.