Anyone who remembers the 1986 film Round Midnight, the semi-fictional story of expatriate jazz musicians in Paris during the ’50s (featuring Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock and Martin Scorsese) knows how important jazz is to French musicians and fans alike. The country is still home to many American musicians, and also has become a fertile ground for the genre. A large number of artists from France have been influenced by jazz, and many have become internationally recognized.

In recognition of these facts, this year’s edition of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Conference, the yearly event that brings musicians, educators, journalists and jazz aficionados to town for what can be described as a musical smorgasbord has France as its featured country, with a special lifetime award for Michel Legrand, who will also perform on January 12 at the French Institute.

The French Jazz Festival was set up to expand on the conference, bringing together musicians from the country and also those of French extraction, such as Cameroonian bassist Richard Bona, multi-instrumentalist Mino Cinelu, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, bassist Riccardo del Fra, pianist Jacky Terrasson and many others. In addition to the shows in New York, there will also be performances in Washington, D.C., and at New Orleans’ Snug Harbor.

“I wanted to get a good presence at the conference; 200 people are coming from France, and we wanted to make sure that everyone hears the music,” explains Emmanuel Morlet of the Culture Services of French Embassy to the United States.

The French government was instrumental in aiding musicians victimized by the aftermath of Katrina in New Orleans, says Morlet. “We worked to help musicians from there, finding them lodging and work in Paris. We invited musicians, sent them to France, where they collaborated in master classes, played festivals and began living again, after having lost everything … We are sending 20 professionals to New Orleans to build bridges with Louisiana, making sure that a network is created between us and them.”

The Festival will have plenty of non-IAJE shows around the city, and will also have presentations during events inside GlobalFest at Webster Hall on January 21st and The Winter Jazz Festival Alternatives.

“I had another gig planned for those dates, but I changed my plans,” says Jean-Michel Pilc, a former Brooklyn resident (who now lives in the Catskills) who plays at the 55 Bar with Richard Bona and drummer Ari Hoenig.

Minu Cinelu, who has lived in the U.S. for 25 years, thinks the event is “something cool: I grew up in France, where there are so many American musicians. It’s good to have this cultural exchange. Jazz is so vast, so universal and it’s a great chance for French musicians to find a new audience.”

Jan. 8-21. Various locations. For calendar, ticketing and venues call 212-439-1400 or visit www.frenchculture.org.