Birmingham Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month Ahead of America's 250th

The city's Jazz Hall of Fame keeps the genre's legacy alive for new generations.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:19am

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A striking abstract composition of bold, geometric shapes in shades of blue, yellow, and red, conceptually representing the vibrant energy and collaborative nature of the jazz music scene in Birmingham, Alabama.The Birmingham Jazz Hall of Fame keeps the genre's legacy alive, inspiring new generations to carry on the collaborative, unifying spirit of jazz.Today in Birmingham

As the United States looks ahead to its 250th anniversary, Birmingham, Alabama is celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month, honoring the city's deep musical roots and the ongoing efforts to pass the jazz tradition to the next generation. Inside the Birmingham Jazz Hall of Fame, musicians like Daniel Carr Jr. are connecting local history to iconic jazz figures like Dizzy Gillespie, while the building itself reflects the genre's role in the civil rights movement.

Why it matters

Jazz has long been an integral part of American culture, reflecting the country's history of collaboration and evolution across racial lines. As the nation approaches a major milestone, Birmingham's Jazz Appreciation Month celebrations highlight how the genre continues to inspire and unite communities, especially through educational efforts to engage young people.

The details

Musician Daniel Carr Jr. began playing the trumpet in the fourth grade and has gone on to connect Birmingham's jazz legacy to legendary artists like Dizzy Gillespie. The Birmingham Jazz Hall of Fame, located in a building that was once a segregated movie theater, now serves as a hub for preserving and passing on the genre's history. Director of Jazz Hall Radio Andy Parrish noted that jazz has 'always been such an instrumental part of American history,' with the genre serving as an early example of collaboration across racial lines.

  • April is designated as Jazz Appreciation Month in the United States.
  • The United States is approaching its 250th anniversary in the coming years.

The players

Daniel Carr Jr.

A musician who started playing the trumpet in the fourth grade and has connected Birmingham's jazz legacy to iconic artists like Dizzy Gillespie.

Dizzy Gillespie

A legendary jazz musician who played a role in shaping the genre's history.

Andy Parrish

The director of Jazz Hall Radio, who noted jazz's instrumental role in American history and its early example of collaboration across racial lines.

Birmingham Jazz Hall of Fame

A hub for preserving and passing on the genre's history, located in a building that was once a segregated movie theater.

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What they’re saying

“If you ain't really got it, like resonate here, even with the kids, I teach down here on the set of this, you got to resonate here.”

— Daniel Carr Jr., Musician

“Jazz has always been such an instrumental part of American history.”

— Andy Parrish, Director of Jazz Hall Radio

“And of course jazz was an area where white people and black people were working together before they were in the rest of society, so it has a lot to teach us.”

— Andy Parrish, Director of Jazz Hall Radio

What’s next

The Birmingham Jazz Hall of Fame will continue to host events and educational programs throughout Jazz Appreciation Month to engage the local community and inspire the next generation of jazz musicians.

The takeaway

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Birmingham's Jazz Appreciation Month celebrations serve as a reminder of how the genre has been a unifying force in American history, reflecting the country's evolution and inspiring collaboration across racial lines. The efforts to preserve and pass on this legacy to young people ensure that jazz will continue to be an integral part of the nation's cultural fabric.