This Festival is organized on the occasion of the International Jazz Day by the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, The State Jazz Orchestra of Uzbekistan named after B. Zakirov and the Ilkhom Theatre, with the support and participation of the Embassies of U.S.A, France, India and Latvia as well informational support of NAESMI and under the auspices of the UNESCO Office in Tashkent.

April 30 was officially designated as International Jazz Day by UNESCO in November 2011 in order to highlight jazz and its role in uniting people in all corners of the globe. The United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed this decision to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day in December 2012.

The International Jazz Day contributes to recognize the power of jazz to promote peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity. International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and music fans all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact.

The main event of the International Jazz Daywill be organized with the participation of Ms Irina Bokova, UNESCO’s Director-General, and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. In addition, countries all over the world are encouraged to join the celebrations and pay tribute to jazz in any way possible. The objective is to create a global community of people who connect and build peace through jazz. In 2014, the International Jazz Day was celebrated in over 190 countries.

The festival aims to give the opportunity to jazz musicians from Uzbekistan and abroad to celebrate this universal language of peace, cultural diversity and inter-cultural dialogue through a series of events:

- concerts and jam sessions
- master classes
musical encounters

The International Jazz Festival in Uzbekistan will be held with the participation of jazz musicians and groups from Uzbekistan and abroad:).

State Jazz Orchestra named after B. Zakirov (Uzbekistan) was formed in 1995 under the "Turkistan" Arts Palace and is named after Batyr Zakirov. The repertoire includes jazz pieces by composers such as D. Gershwin, D. Ellington, as well as works of popular Uzbek composers: I. Akbarov, D. Omonullaeva, E. Salikhov, S. Ramazanov, D. Ilyas. To date, the best musicians of the Republic of Uzbekistan work in the orchestra. Artistic director and leading soloist of the jazz orchestra is a singer and composer – Mr. Mansour Tashmatov, People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, laureate of international competitions and festivals. In 2004, on the basis of the orchestra the International Jazz Festival was held with participation of Italian musicians.

“Jazzirama” jazz band (Uzbekistan) was founded in 2011 by students of the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan, in particular pianist Sanjar Nafikova and saxophonist Saidmuratom Muratov. The main goal of the band is to promote the Uzbek folk music, merging it with jazz, avant-garde and other modern styles. This is a prime example of that art has no boundaries and borders. Different cultures can penetrate each other, merge, mutually enriching new sonic palette. It is in this process where new styles, genres and directions.

Ari Roland Jazz Quartet (New York, USA) is inspired by jazz music from the 1930’s through 1950’s, also known as the “Golden Age of Jazz.” The ensemble’s repertoire includes pieces by jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billie Holiday as well as their own critically acclaimed original compositions. In addition to their performances in New York the quartet has a busy touring schedule. They also direct international programs bringing young musicians from different communities together to play jazz. Ari Roland Jazz Quartet visited Uzbekistan in December 2009 to hold a jazz concert.

Sitar Fusion group is led by Pandit Prateek Chaudhuri. He is an acclaimed artist, considered one of the most outstanding Sitar players in India today. The musical performance blends the classical Indian tradition (on the sitar and Indian percussion drums, and a keyboard). Mr Chaudhuri’s skillfull picking on the strings of the sitar respectively blend grace, fluidity and dexterity with each note of music.

Pierre de Bethmann (France), professor at the Paris Conservatory, has worked as a regular sideman with major French jazz artists such as Moutin Reunion 4tet, David El-Malek, Stéphane Huchard, Pierrick Pedron, Rosario Giuliani, Géraldine Laurent. On top of his main dedication to modern jazz, he took part in other types of musical projects, such as tours with American singer James Taylor (1998 and 1999), Reunion singer Danyel Waro (2002-2003), Brazilian singer Marcia Maria (2006-2008), and French organist and composer Thierry Escaich. He recorded ten albums as a leader or co-leader (Prysm and Ilium). He is laureate and winner of many musical prizes and awards: Victoire du Jazz 2008 - French instrumental album of the year, Django Reinhardt Prize 2004 - French musician of the year, Django d’Or 1998 - French group of the year (Prysm), 1st prize at the Concours National de Jazz de La Défense in 1994.

Xylem TRIO (Latvia) performs very wide spectrum of music as original work’s modern arrangements from classics (J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel etc.) to folk songs, jazz and contemporary movie music, where the arrangers are the musicians themselves, putting together world, jazz and academic music elements. Xylem TRIO also plays contemporary composers original music specially written for them. Xylem Trio plays very active in throughout the Latvia including all biggest concert halls and collaborates with concert organization Latvijas Koncerti, National Radio and Television. The first recorded album Christmas Letter (made together with composer Raimnods Tigulis) received Latvian Music Records Award 2009 in the category Best instrumental, film or theatre album of the year. On 2010 Xylem TRIO recorded album “In The Mood Of Giya Kancheli” which received Latvian Music Records Award 2010 in the category Best instrumental, film or theatre album and Best Debut.