To celebrate the 2024 UNESCO International Jazz Day, ten groups of artists from ten different UNSECO Cities of Music came together to collaborate, arrange, and perform ten different versions of the traditional Korean lullaby Bird, Bird, Blue Bird arranged by the Park Si Neon Trio of City of Music Daegu, South Korea.
Starting in Daegu, South Korea, the Jazz Relay moves across 6 continents, showcasing performances from ten UNESCO Cities of Music, including Adelaide.
This year’s Jazz Relay is dedicated to promoting UNESCO’s commitment to climate action and to raise awareness for Sustainable Development Goal #13 – Climate Action through the power of music. This beautiful lullaby serves as a symbol of hope amidst uncertainty, connecting us with the shared vulnerability of all species in the face of climate change.
Adelaide’s arrangement was performed by the talented students of the Elder Conservatorium Jazz Department, featuring:
Victoria Katsoulis – Trombone
Emily Dennis – Baritone Saxophone and Clarinet
Daisy Davidson – Alto Saxophone
James Ho – Bass
James Nisbet – Drums
Musical arrangement and piano was by Mark Simeon Ferguson
The session was recorded & mixed by Dylan Cooper in Harticy Concert Room at the University of Adelaide, SA.
The video was produced by Capital Waste Pictures with camera operators Liam Somerville and Julian Hatch.
The Adelaide City of Music Office is proud to have facilitated this project for the second year and that we are working to confirm Adelaide’s lead role in the 2025 Relay. Adelaide City of Music congratulates and thanks the Elder Conservatorium students who participated, and the wonderful leadership of Mark Ferguson, Head of Jazz.
International Jazz Day and the month surrounding was filled with opportunities to head out, enjoy, and celebrate Adelaide’s strong Jazz traditions and talent – the second year of Adelaide Jazz Festival with its bragworthy local and international line up, City of Adelaide’s Town Hall lunchtime concert featuring the JAZZ in CHEEK Quintet, and Adelaide Festival Centre’s UNESCO International Jazz Day celebrations with the Thomas Voss Big Band and Enne R. Project.