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UNESCO Transcultura Programme empowers Caribbean jazz entrepreneurs
The Caribbean region has long been a cradle of rich musical heritage, with jazz playing a pivotal role in shaping its cultural landscape. Recognizing the significance of jazz in both artistic expression and economic development, the Transcultura programme has partnered with the music event Jazz Emprende to provide a platform to promote career opportunities for young Caribbean jazz professionals. With an innovative perspective, the event aimed at bridging the realms of jazz music and entrepreneurial activity, emphasizing technical expertise, innovation, creativity, diversity, and improvisation - all qualities needed to success in both spheres.
UNESCO recognizes jazz as a powerful tool for intercultural dialogue, creativity, and innovation. This event, originally bridging jazz and entrepreneurship, presents an extraordinary opportunity to leverage the longstanding tradition of this genre in the Caribbean to promote career opportunities and foster economic growth.
It is strategic for the European Union to equip emerging Caribbean art with the necessary tools to realise its creative projects from the region. This also contributes to materialise integration in the Caribbean and with the European Union, as the tools acquired here are the result of proven good practices in both regions.
Transcultura supported the participation of Ms Jamila Falak (Jamaica), MsKemi Adanma Natacia Ible (Trinidad and Tobago), Ms Khadijah Simon (Antigua and Barbuda) and Mr Richecard Cine (Haiti), in this event in order to enhance their opportunities develop their jazz projects by exchanging knowledge and networking with other musicians, jazz and creative professionals from Cuba and beyond.
In the Caribbean, we share common challenges and dreams for our jazz projects. This collaboration with the UNESCO Transcultura programme has allowed us to exchange experiences, learn from each other and networking, paving the way for future cooperation and synergies to reach these dreams.
The Caribbean entrepreneurs participated in masterclasses, workshops, networking events and concerts alongside with prominent figures of the international scene such as Roberto Fonseca (Cuba), Robert Glasper (United States of America), Derrick Hodge (United States of America), Aldo Mazza (Canada), Sebastian Videl (France) and Jason Olaine (United States of America). The event programme covered topics such as music business, creative value chains, innovation and women entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries. Additionally, the Caribbean jazz entrepreneurs supported by Transcultura took part in a pitching session where they showcased their business projects to a specialized audience.
The mix between jazz and entrepreneurship seems to me very innovative but also very relevant, as it underlines the role of jazz in economic and social development. Participating in this event has been very inspiring and has given me ideas and contacts within the music industry to be able to advance my project of teaching and promoting jazz in the city of Jacmel.
Supporting cultural and creative entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of the UNESCO Transcultura programme, which aims to offer career opportunities to young cultural professionals from the Caribbean. By backing the involvement of these Caribbean young jazz entrepreneurs, UNESCO and the European Union not only boost their entrepreneurial skills but also amplify the international visibility of their projects and open up access to new markets.
