TODAY we wanted to take a look at International Jazz Day.

International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact.

In November 2011, 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.

Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination; fostering gender equality, and promoting freedom of expression.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its heritage throughout April.

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime.

Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major form of musical expression in traditional and popular music.

As jazz spread around the world, it drew on national, regional, and local musical cultures, which gave rise to different styles.

By the the early 1980s, a commercial form of jazz fusion called smooth jazz became successful, garnering significant radio airplay.

These photos show how people have enjoyed jazz in Cumbria over the years. We can see people dancing to jazz in Whitehaven, musicians at Upperby Gala, band members performing, a jazz day at Jenning's Brewery, and a band at Carlisle Races.

Other photos show a tribute concert in Caldbeck, and a jazz day in Carlisle.