Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and band performing in 1961 in London, England

All that jazz and more. International Jazz Day

It's time to jazz up—literally. From the smoky clubs of New Orleans to the bustling streets of Tokyo, jazz has crossed borders, blended cultures and turned improvisation into an art form. Every April 30, International Jazz Day—established by UNESCO in 2011—celebrates this genre's role in promoting peace, dialogue and unity. This music form emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Orleans, a city alive with musical traditions from Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.

Today, jazz is everywhere—from Brazilian bossa nova to Ethiopian Ethio-jazz, proving that a good groove knows no borders. It found its way to India in the 1920s, taking root in Mumbai and Kolkata as African American musicians introduced the genre to local audiences. Their performances captivated Goan musicians, who blended jazz influences into India's evolving Hindi film music. The jazz scene remains vibrant in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Goa and Kolkata, keeping the spirit of this musica fusion alive. This photo of jazz legend John Coltrane and his band performing in London, England, is a perfect example of jazz's worldwide impact. Trends change, technology evolves and debates continue over what defines jazz, but this music lives on.