International Jazz Day

The global celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 culminates in Abu Dhabi, a UNESCO Creative City of Music. Led by iconic pianist Herbie Hancock and hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, this concert will bring together an extraordinary lineup of renowned jazz, blues, classical, and hip-hop artists from around the world. Among those set to perform: Arqam Al Abri (UAE) , John Beasley (USA) , Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA) , A Bu (China) , Terri Lyne Carrington (USA) , Kurt Elling (USA) , José James (USA) , Rhani Krija (Morocco) , John McLaughlin (UK) , Hélène Mercier (France/Canada) , Marcus Miller (USA) , Linda May Han Oh (Australia) , John Pizzarelli (USA) , Dianne Reeves (USA) , Arturo Sandoval (USA) , Naseer Shamma (Iraq) , Danilo Pérez (Panama) , and Varijashree Venugopal (India) . Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks. About the International Jazz Day: Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations G...

A series of free online education programs on jazzday.com and the International Jazz Day YouTube and Facebook pages will feature an array of acclaimed artists and educators presenting a multilingual selection of offerings that emphasize the richness and relevance of jazz to students of all ages. 5:00 PM UAE / 9:00 AM ET Masterclass with Dan Tepfer (in English) 5:45 PM UAE / 9:45 AM ET Masterclass with Melissa Aldana (in Spanish) 6:00 PM UAE / 10:00 AM ET Arabic Masterclass and Performance with Mazen Lawand (in Arabic/English) 7:00 PM UAE / 11:00 AM ET Timbalooloo Workshop for Kids with Oran Etkin (in English) 8:00 PM UAE / 12:00 PM ET “The Evolution of Jazz” with the Herbie Hancock Institute Fellows and special guests Darynn Dean and Sachal Vasandani (in English) 9:00 PM UAE / 1:00 PM ET Beyond Time: Rhythm, Improvisation and Unity with Terri Lyne Carrington & Danilo Pérez (in English) 11:00 PM UAE / 3:00 PM ET A Conversation with Herbie Hancock and John Ridding, CEO of Financia...

The 14th edition of International Jazz Day will be celebrated in more than 190 countries on April 30th , with Abu Dhabi selected as the Global Host City. Organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz , this celebration will feature concerts and educational and cultural initiatives. “ We are thrilled to celebrate this International day on a high note in the UNESCO Creative City of Music Abu Dhabi. This edition will highlight the city’s rich tapestry of creativity and cultural heritage while showcasing jazz’s ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents, ” declared UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), a UNESCO Creative City of Music, will serve as a vibrant center of this worldwide celebration. A five-week, citywide series of jazz performances, education programmes and community events will take place in the city, including the internationally broadcast International Jazz Day 2025 All-Star Global Conc...

Building on the momentum of International Jazz Day , Jazz Month Abu Dhabi will extend the global festivities and reinforce jazz’s presence in the region. It will include live performances, pop-up concerts, workshops, artist residencies, and educational events, underscoring jazz’s connections to diverse musical traditions and artistic disciplines. Activities will be held at major cultural and educational institutions including Louvre Abu Dhabi , Berklee Abu Dhabi , and New York University Abu Dhabi , along with hospitals, senior centers, children’s libraries, and schools. Special performances will highlight jazz’s integration with traditional instruments such as the oud, qanoon, and ney , showcasing the ongoing dialogue between jazz and local cultural expressions. This year’s International Jazz Day also coincides with the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi , a global, annual gathering that brings together a collective of creative thinkers, decision-makers, artists, designers, changemakers, ...