15 Years of International Jazz Day! Get ready to celebrate the 15th anniversary of International Jazz Day (IJD) on April 30, 2026. With events taking place in over 190 countries and all 50 U.S. states, this year’s Global Host City is Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.
Join in the celebration and watch the Global Concert live stream, featuring a record number of artists, including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jacob Collier, Kurt Elling, Renée Fleming, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, and many more.
“I’m excited that Chicago, my hometown, is hosting International Jazz Day 2026,” says Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. “It was in my Chicago high school auditorium that I discovered jazz, an event that sparked a lifelong passion and commitment to this powerful art form. Jazz opened doors to creativity, self-expression and freedom. I hope that this Day will inspire young artists and audiences in the same way that I was inspired during those formative years.”
Independent artists and organizers on all continents present an astonishing array of performance, educational and community outreach programming each year for 15 Years of IJD. On IJD, free online education programs will be presented via jazzday.com and the International Jazz Day YouTube and Facebook pages. An array of acclaimed artist-educators will present a diverse selection of offerings that emphasize the richness — and relevance — of jazz to learners at all levels.
On April 30, teachers and students around the world use IJD as an opportunity to learn more about the empowering history and legacy of jazz music. View hundreds of videos from past IJD celebrations, including official clips from the All-Star Global Concert and incredible submissions from our partners in more than 190 countries. Watch anytime at: https://jazzday.com/videos/global/
The 14th annual IJD culminated in a rousing All-Star Global Concert from Etihad Arena in the host city of Abu Dhabi, UAE. The concert, hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons and led by Herbie Hancock, featured world-renowned artists from 14 countries including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Etienne Charles, Kurt Elling, Ruthie Foster, José James, John McLaughlin, Hélène Mercier, Danilo Pérez, John Pizzarelli, Dianne Reeves, David Sánchez, Arturo Sandoval, Janis Siegel, Varijashree Venugopal and others. Watch for free anytime at jazzday.com
Celebrate the IJD 2025 All-Star Concert in Abu Dhabi with performances by Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Jose James, John McLaughlin, Helene Mercier, Danilo Perez, Arturo Sandoval, and more, hosted by Jeremy Irons. You can watch this one-hour special on your TV on PBS Nashville, channel 8.1 “International Jazz Day from Abu Dhabi,” Friday, April 24, at 9:30 pm; Saturday, April 25, (late night/overnight Friday) at 1:00 am on WNPT; and / or Monday, April 27, (late late Sunday night overnight) at 3:00 am.
And, be sure to watch online, on the IJD website, and / or on YouTube, for this year’s events live on Thursday, April 30, from around the world.
