Fifteen years. That's how long it took to turn a dream into law. On January 22, 2026, Arizona SB 1255, the "Arizona Jazz Day Observance Act", was officially introduced to the state legislature, designating April 30 of each year as Arizona Jazz Day. For Executive Director Dr. William Jones and the entire International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, this moment represents more than a legislative victory. It's validation of a grassroots movement that has transformed arizona jazz from a niche interest into a celebrated part of our state's cultural identity.

We're not just talking about putting a date on the calendar. We're talking about official recognition that jazz, this uniquely American art form born from struggle, innovation, and collaboration, deserves a permanent place in Arizona's story.

The Journey: 2011 to 2026

When Dr. Jones first set out to get April 30 recognized as Arizona Jazz Day, the landscape looked very different. The International Jazz Day AZ Foundation didn't exist yet. UNESCO's International Jazz Day was brand new. And the idea that Arizona, a state better known for country music and rock, would officially honor jazz seemed like a long shot.

But Doc Jones has never been one to take the easy path. With 30 years as a professional jazz musician and Music Teacher under his belt, he understood something fundamental: jazz isn't just entertainment. It's education. It's community building. It's a tool for social change. His vision was simple but powerful, use jazz as a means to reduce crime, promote staying in school for young people at risk, and elevate arts education across Arizona.

So in 2012, the Foundation launched its first Jazz Day celebration. No state recognition. No official proclamation. Just passionate musicians, dedicated Music Teachers, and a community that believed in the power of music to transform lives.

Year after year, the celebrations grew. Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and communities across Arizona came together every April 30 to honor the art form. World-class musicians graced our stages. Funds were raised for youth organizations and education programs. And slowly but surely, the movement gained momentum.

The breakthrough came when the Arizona House and Senate, along with the Governor and eight mayors from around the state, presented the Foundation with a proclamation declaring April 30 as International Jazz Day in Arizona. It was symbolic, yes: but symbols matter. That proclamation became the foundation for what would eventually become SB 1255.

What SB 1255 Means for Arizona Jazz

Republican senators Javan Mesnard and Frank Carroll introduced the legislation in January 2026, and the significance cannot be overstated. An official state observance carries weight that proclamations simply don't. It means every year, without fail, April 30 will be recognized as Arizona Jazz Day. It means schools, cultural institutions, and communities across the state have a framework for celebrating this essential American music.

For Music Teachers throughout Arizona, this is particularly meaningful. Jazz education has long been underfunded and underappreciated, especially in districts facing budget constraints. The Roosevelt School District and others like it have seen arts programs cut or reduced to skeletal offerings. An official state observance gives Music Teachers leverage to argue for resources, to justify jazz programs, and to demonstrate to administrators and parents that this music matters at the highest levels of state government.

The bill also aligns Arizona with a growing national movement to recognize jazz as a vital cultural treasure. We're joining states and cities across the country that have taken similar steps, sending a clear message: jazz belongs in the classroom, on the concert stage, and in the fabric of our communities.

Perfect Timing: UNESCO's 15th Anniversary

Here's where the stars really aligned. April 30, 2026, won't just be the first official Arizona Jazz Day: it will also mark the 15th Anniversary of UNESCO International Jazz Day.

Since UNESCO designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in 2011, the celebration has spread to more than 190 countries. It's become the world's largest annual celebration of jazz, uniting musicians, educators, and fans in a shared appreciation for this uniquely democratic art form. Jazz, after all, is built on the principle that every voice matters, every musician has something to contribute, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

For Arizona to achieve official state recognition in the same year UNESCO celebrates 15 years of global Jazz Day feels like destiny. It positions our state not as a late arrival to the party, but as a leader stepping forward at a pivotal moment. We're not just participating in a global celebration: we're making history.

The timing also couldn't be better for this year's Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival, the premier arizona jazz event that brings together legendary performers, emerging artists, and passionate fans. With SB 1255 giving official weight to our mission, the festival takes on new meaning. We're not just putting on a great show. We're celebrating Arizona's commitment to jazz as a vital part of our cultural landscape.

Supporting Music Teachers: The Heart of Our Mission

Throughout this 15-year journey, one truth has remained constant: none of this happens without Music Teachers. These dedicated educators are on the front lines every single day, introducing young people to the magic of jazz, teaching them not just how to play instruments but how to listen, collaborate, and express themselves.

The official recognition of Arizona Jazz Day is as much for them as it is for anyone. Music Teachers in districts struggling with budget cuts now have a state-sanctioned reason to advocate for their programs. They can point to April 30 on the calendar and say, "This matters. Arizona says this matters."

Our foundation has always prioritized supporting Music Teachers through grants, professional development opportunities, and access to world-class performers who can inspire both educators and students. With SB 1255, we're doubling down on that commitment. We're working to ensure that every Music Teacher in Arizona knows they have advocates at the foundation and allies in state government.

The Roosevelt School District situation serves as a stark reminder of what's at stake. When arts programs are cut, it's not just music that suffers: it's the entire educational experience. Jazz education teaches critical thinking, teamwork, historical awareness, and creative problem-solving. These aren't luxuries. They're essentials. And now, with Arizona Jazz Day officially recognized, we have a stronger platform than ever to make that case.

Looking Ahead to the Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival

So what happens next? First, we celebrate. Then we get to work making the inaugural official Arizona Jazz Day on April 30, 2026, something truly special.

The Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival will serve as the centerpiece of the celebration. We're bringing together an incredible lineup of performers who represent the full spectrum of jazz: from traditional swing to cutting-edge fusion, from intimate small combos to full big band arrangements. It's going to be a showcase of everything that makes arizona jazz so vibrant and diverse.

But the festival is just the beginning. Throughout April, we'll be partnering with schools, libraries, community centers, and cultural organizations across Arizona to host scottsdale jazz festival events, workshops, and educational programs. We want every corner of the state to feel connected to this moment.

For Music Teachers, we'll be offering special professional development sessions leading up to April 30, giving educators the tools and resources they need to bring Jazz Day into their classrooms in meaningful ways. We're also expanding our grant program to support student jazz ensembles and provide instruments to schools that need them.

The goal is simple: make Arizona Jazz Day more than just a date on the calendar. Make it a movement. Make it a commitment to arts education, cultural appreciation, and community building that lasts all year long.

A Victory for All of Us

Fifteen years is a long time to pursue any goal. There were moments when official recognition seemed impossible, when the obstacles felt insurmountable, when it would have been easier to give up and settle for symbolic gestures.

But Dr. Jones and the entire International Jazz Day AZ Foundation team never wavered. Because this was never about ego or accolades. It was about creating something lasting: a legacy that would support Music Teachers, inspire students, and elevate arizona jazz for generations to come.

Arizona SB 1255 is that legacy, codified in law. And while the bill's introduction is cause for celebration, the real work is just beginning. Together, we're going to make Arizona Jazz Day everything it can be: a statewide celebration that honors our past, celebrates our present, and invests in our future.

Mark your calendars for April 30, 2026. The first official Arizona Jazz Day. The 15th Anniversary of UNESCO International Jazz Day. And the Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival bringing it all together in one unforgettable weekend.

Fifteen years in the making. And it was worth every single moment.

Learn more about our mission and upcoming jazz events arizona at jazzdayaz.com. Let's make history together.