The first International Jazz Day was celebrated by members of the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory at Moksh on 30 April, the date proclaimed as "International Jazz Day" during the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011. Organized by UNESCO in collaboration with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and jazz legend Herbie Hancock, International Jazz Day hopes to, in the words of Director-General of UNESCO-Irina Bokova, "display the power of jazz to enhance the human message." "It speaks a language of freedom that is meaningful to all cultures", she added. As such, with countries all over the world commemorating International Jazz Day from New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz, and other major cities like New York, Paris and Moscow, Kathmandu too had its own celebration of music. The event started with a slight delay but this only served to increase the anticipation of the waiting audience members. The band strutted into full swing, wasting no time in belting out hits by the multiple-Grammy decorated Pat Metheny as well as a host of other jazz legends. Given the lack of preparation time as well as the minimal publicity, the turnout was by no means overwhelming but everyone who did attend enjoyed a casual and relaxed night of improvised tunes and jamming.