On International Jazz Day, we revisit a conversation that moves beyond music—into questions of humanism, memory, and the cultural pulse of the Azores.

Correio dos Açores – How important is it to mark International Jazz Day? And how does Angrajazz view this occasion within the context of Terceira Island and the Azores?

Rui Melo – The significance of International Jazz Day is global; it transcends the musical dimension itself and stands, above all, as a manifesto of humanism.

In November 2011, UNESCO officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day to highlight jazz as an ambassador of tolerance, mutual understanding, and shared humanity. The following year, the United Nations General Assembly embraced that decision, and since then, both institutions have enshrined the date in their official calendars.

The celebration is led by UNESCO’s Director-General and by the legendary pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue.

In our case, we felt that, given the extraordinary importance of the Angrajazz Festival in Portugal, it was time—beginning in 2017—to celebrate this day in Angra do Heroísmo. With the exception of the pandemic years, we have done so ever since.

This year, the City Council and Angrajazz present two concerts at the Cultural and Congress Center of Angra do Heroísmo, alongside educational performances for students earlier in the day. This reflects one of UNESCO’s guiding principles: bringing jazz into schools, nurturing not only audiences but understanding. It is, unquestionably, another defining moment in the cultural life of Terceira and the Azores.

Correio dos Açores – Could you speak briefly about the history of the association and its mission?

Rui Melo – The Angrajazz Cultural Association was founded in 2000, following the first festival in 1999. It is best known for organizing the Angrajazz International Festival, a landmark event that has earned both national and international recognition.

Its central mission is to cultivate and deepen the appreciation of jazz in the Azores, while maintaining a level of artistic excellence that places it firmly on the international calendar. Over the years, we have also promoted training initiatives, conferences, exhibitions, and interdisciplinary cultural programming.

From this commitment to education emerged, in 2002, the Angrajazz Orchestra—one of our most transformative projects, a true school of music that has reshaped the cultural landscape of Terceira.

Correio dos Açores – What does it mean to sustain the spirit of jazz—an art rooted in improvisation—in a society that increasingly demands immediacy?

Rui Melo – Jazz, as an artistic expression, is arguably the defining music of the 20th century. It represents the very best that can be translated into society.

Its structure, born from struggle and resilience, is grounded in tolerance, freedom, and competence. Yet, like all forms that seek depth and intellectual rigor, it is not always immediately accessible in a world conditioned for rapid consumption.

It falls to institutions like ours to reveal this universe—one that may initially encounter resistance, often born of unfamiliarity. Our mission is precisely that: to cultivate understanding and to expand horizons.

Correio dos Açores – What challenges does jazz face today?

Rui Melo – Jazz has always been shaped by challenge—by a relentless pursuit of quality, dialogue, and collective creation.

What concerns us now is a broader civilizational regression, one that threatens the values of humanism itself, diminishing the role of art, science, and intellectual life. But music—and the arts more broadly—have always resisted such forces. They will continue to do so.

Correio dos Açores – The Angrajazz Orchestra is widely regarded as a national reference. What explains its longevity and vitality?

Rui Melo – Founded in 2002 under the direction of Pedro Moreira and Claus Nymark, the orchestra is, above all, a pedagogical project—a living school.

Through regular workshops and rehearsals, it has become the principal training ground for musicians in the region. Over the years, it has collaborated with leading Portuguese and international artists and performed across the Azores and beyond.

Its longevity is the result of a rare convergence: disciplined artistic leadership, strong camaraderie, and the cultural dynamism of Terceira—shaped in part by transatlantic influences, including those linked to the Lajes Air Base. It will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027, a milestone that speaks to its enduring relevance.

Correio dos Açores – In what ways has the orchestra functioned as an incubator of talent?

Rui Melo – Its impact is undeniable. Many musicians who passed through the orchestra have gone on to pursue significant paths, while others have remained, sustaining its continuity.

Jazz demands rigor, and the skills it cultivates—listening, adaptability, creativity—translate across all musical contexts. Under the guidance of its directors, the orchestra has opened doors that might otherwise have remained closed.

Correio dos Açores – What has the “Jazz Across the Islands” initiative revealed about audiences and the archipelago itself?

Rui Melo – It revealed, above all, that jazz belongs everywhere.

Created to mark the festival’s 25th anniversary, the initiative brought performances to multiple islands, extending the experience beyond traditional venues. Despite logistical challenges, the response was deeply encouraging.

There is an audience—curious, engaged, and receptive. And there is a shared cultural space waiting to be activated.

Correio dos Açores – Looking ahead, what are the association’s plans?

Rui Melo – Our guiding principle remains quality. The 2026 festival program is already finalized and will be announced in due course, maintaining our commitment to excellence.

Meanwhile, the orchestra is preparing thematic repertoire for next year while laying the groundwork for its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2027. In jazz, our role is to create the conditions—musicians will take care of the rest, transforming each performance into something singular and unexpected.

Correio dos Açores – Finally, what message would you leave the community on this day?

Rui Melo – Jazz celebrates improvisation and creative freedom. It embodies the courage to explore the unknown and to collaborate in harmony.

Its roots are inseparable from the struggle for freedom and the affirmation of human dignity. To celebrate jazz is not only to experience music—it is to honor that history, that resilience, and that enduring aspiration toward a more humane world.

Translated and adapted from an interview by journalist Diogo Simões Pires for the newspaper Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director.