April is officially jazz appreciation month, an annual event created by Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to pay tribute to the history of jazz music, as well as a celebration of jazz in its existing form. This is the 16th edition of JAM proving that the music genre is very much alive and well, and can be ranked among America’s greatest cultural achievements and global exports. While the event originated in America, we’d like to see your photos and stories of what impact jazz has had on your life wherever you are in the world.

Have you been to a jazz festival that made a lasting impression on you? Do you have a favourite jazz artist or venue you’d like to pay homage to? Maybe there’s a specific piece of music you’d like to recommend? Is there a jazz musician in your family that has had a huge influence on you? Whether it’s a past memory or a present day jazz experience share your photos and stories. We’ll feature a selection of them on the site.

You can share your jazz pictures and stories by clicking on the blue ‘Contribute’ button on this article. You can also use the Guardian app and search for ‘GuardianWitness assignments’ – and if you add it to the homepage – you can keep up with all our assignments.

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