The International Jazz Day celebration in Apia gave youths the opportunity to showcase their talents and expand their knowledge on music especially jazz.

Thanks to the Samoana Jazz and Arts Festival Board, a concert was held at the Home Cafe in Malifa on Tuesday evening where youth bands were invited to perform their different styles of jazz. 

The bands Kulture Shock, the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G) Youth Band and Sinalei String Band got the crowd's attention as they commemorated International Jazz Day, that was officially marked in Australia on Tuesday.

A member of the Samoana Jazz group, Tise Taeoalii said their goal is to develop jazz music for young people to experience and enjoy.

S.V.S.G Youth band acknowledged the Samoana Jazz group for providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talents. 

Leader of the band, Franziska Sione said this is their first ever performance and it sparked their interest and passion for music especially jazz music.

"Jazz music wasn't really our thing and when we received the invitation, we started to get some few Jazz songs to practice and it was quite an experience and we're very grateful.

"Our focus as a band is to gather the talents from the youth who have failed to continue school, the unemployed and the uneducated to make use of their lives and some of them are not musicians but we train them to learn music because we believe music can heal a wounded heart and that includes tonight," Franziska  said.

He added the experience has given them so much confidence and attracted an unexpected interest in jazz music. 

Kulture Shock band leader, Marcus Fong said he was surprised with the applause from the audience as it was their first time to perform and it was also a last minute preparation.

"We're mainly a rock band but when we got the invitation to practice for jazz music then we thought why not. And surprisingly, we have enjoyed every bit of it and we're so grateful," he said.      

Lexi Oak, a tourist who was present at the concert, said she had a great evening.

"I am from Canada and I have been a big fan of Jazz for a long time and I love listening to Jazz music so much and I just enjoy the passion of the young talents up there performing," she said.