The 2025 edition of International Jazz Day will be celebrated in more than 190 countries on April 30, 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.
“Jazz has always been about bringing people together, breaking barriers, and inspiring creativity across cultures. International Jazz Day reminds us that music has the power to transcend borders, foster dialogue, and spark joy and hope,” said Herbie Hancock.
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), with many other artists.
Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) will serve as a vibrant center of this worldwide celebration. A five-week, citywide series of jazz performances, education programs and community events will take place in the city, including the globally broadcast International Jazz Day 2025 All-Star Global Concert on April 30 at Etihad Arena, the region’s largest indoor entertainment venue. The concert will stream live to millions via UNTV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook, YouTube and other media partners.
International Jazz Day will feature thousands of events worldwide. Artists, educators, and institutions will organize masterclasses, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational workshops, reflecting the profound impact of jazz as a unifying force. International Jazz Day 2025 coincides with the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. The annual gathering brings together leaders from the culture and creative industries and will include panels and conversations with Herbie Hancock and other renowned artists.
Established by UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every April 30. The annual celebration highlights the power of jazz and its role in promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity and respect for human dignity. International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than 2 billion people annually. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the lead nonprofit organization charged with producing International Jazz Day. Learn more on www.jazzday.com or www.unesco.org/en/international-jazz-day.
A new International Jazz Day 2024 Special Premieres Friday, April 25, 2025 at 9:00 pm on Nashville’s WNPT, Channel 8.1 in HD, with repeats at 1:00 am Saturday, April 26 and 3:00 am, Monday, April 28. Recorded live last year in Morocco, jazz stars from around the globe came together to celebrate the unifying power of music, featuring performances by Herbie Hancock, David Sanborn, Shemekia Copeland, Gregory Porter, Lizz Wright, José James, Hiromi, Marcus Miller, Ravi Coltrane and more.
International Jazz Day from Morooco is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio. Stream on PBS.org.
