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Jazz stars from around the globe come together to celebrate the unifying power of music on “International Jazz Day” April 29 at 10 pm


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All-Star Global Concert will be hosted by Michael Douglas; feature dozens of world-renowned artists including Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Andra Day, Dee Dee Bridgewater, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves, Joe Lovano

Friday, April 29 at 10 pm

The 10th Anniversary of International Jazz Day, the world’s largest annual celebration of jazz, will take place on April 30th, with thousands of worldwide programs culminating in a spectacular All-Star Global Concert from New York, Los Angeles, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Cape Town, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and other cities around the globe. Hosted by multi-Academy Award winner Michael Douglas from United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Global Concert will feature performances from an array of jazz icons representing more than 20 countries.

Dianne Reeves performs with (from left) Musical Director John Beasley, Justin Tyson, Romero Lubambo and Marcus Miller at Jazz Day 2021
Dianne Reeves performs with (from left) Musical Director John Beasley, Justin Tyson, Romero Lubambo and Marcus Miller at Jazz Day 2021

International Jazz Day highlights extraordinary performances from the last 10 years. The special features unforgettable moments from Jazz Day concerts at the United Nations, Istanbul, Osaka, Paris, Washington, D.C., Havana, New Orleans, and Melbourne. Viewers will enjoy legendary artists such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Annie Lennox, Sting, Wynton Marsalis, and Hugh Masekela, along with hosts including Morgan Freeman, Will Smith and Helen Mirren.

“UNESCO created International Jazz Day to share the values of a deeply meaningful musical genre,” explained UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “Today we need jazz more than ever. We need its values, based on human dignity and the fight against racism and all forms of oppression. It is so much more than music, jazz is the kind of bridge builder we need in the world today.”

Dee Dee Bridgewater performs “La Mer” with pianist Gerald Clayton for Jazz Day 2021 in Los Angeles.
Dee Dee Bridgewater performs “La Mer” with pianist Gerald Clayton for Jazz Day 2021 in Los Angeles.

“Our International Jazz Day community has displayed incredible resilience, creativity, ingenuity and compassion throughout the immense challenges of the past year,” said Herbie Hancock. “While the global pandemic continues to make life difficult for so many around the world, the example of organizers from Nepal to Mexico to Cameroon inspires us to greet this historic 10th Anniversary milestone with joy, courage and hope for the future of jazz.”

Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 at the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every April 30th to celebrate jazz and highlight the music’s important role in encouraging dialogue, combating discrimination and promoting human dignity. International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than two billion people annually on all seven continents, including Antarctica. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is UNESCO’s official partner in the organization and promotion of International Jazz Day.