International Day of Jazz 2025; April 30th.

FORUM: “Embodying the power of jazz to unite in our shared humanity.’’ International Day of Jazz 2025. The 14th edition of International Jazz Day will focus a Jazz Journey and will be structured around several activities: round table and concerts highlighting cultural heritage and traditions. Each year on 30 April during International Jazz Day; Communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact. This art is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; promoting freedom of expression; fostering gender equality; and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock are pleased to announce that Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will serve as the Global Host of the 2025 edition of International Jazz Day. Presented in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the celebration will be anchored around its cultural heritage defined as a tapestry of an Arab and Emirati culture. Classical instruments like Oud, Qanoon and Ney will introduce global audiences to ‘Arabic Jazz’. As the 2025 Global Host City, Abu Dhabi, the UNESCO Creative City of Music, will showcase the interplay of local musical traditions and Jazz dating back decades. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Jazzday, #InternationalJazzDay, #30April, #SymbolizingJazz.

EVENTS: on April 30th at 4 pm (EDT) - 1 pm (PDT) - 10 pm (CET); The 2025 All-Star Global Concert will be hosted in Abu Dhabi; The city will bring musical education to local schools across the city. Higher-education institutions like Berklee Abu Dhabi and New York University Abu Dhabi and other UAE-based universities will also open their doors, offering workshops and masterclasses in their lecture halls, exhibition spaces and auditoriums. Special attention will be paid to the participation of young musicians, encouraging them to cultivate their interest in music and pursue a career in jazz. The celebration entailed a 14-year anniversary All-Star Global Concert co-hosted by Herbie Hancock and others. 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). The Additional artists announced are CLAUDIA ACUÑA, AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE, JOHN BEASLEY (MUSICAL DIRECTOR), LAKECIA BENJAMIN, TK BLUE, RICHARD BONA, DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER, BILLY CHILDS, MOREIRA CHONGUIÇA, SHEMEKIA COPELAND, DAR GNAWA, MANDISI DYANTYIS, ABDELLAH EL GOURD, KURT ELLING, ANTONIO FARAÒ, MELODY GARDOT, JAMES GENUS, TERREON GULLY, HERBIE HANCOCK, JAZZMEIA HORN, JEREMY IRONS (HOST), JOHNAYE KENDRICK, JK KIM, RHANI KRIJA, FEMI KUTI, ROMÁN LAJARA, MAGNUS LINDGREN, ROMERO LUBAMBO, MARCUS MILLER, YASUSHI NAKAMURA, PHILIPPE POWELL, SHARP RADWAY, TROY ROBERTS, ANTONIO SERRANO, JALEEL SHAW, JAHARI STAMPLEY, JOE LOUIS WALKER. Register to participate and watch the livestream on YouTube or Facebook!

Global Celebrations: In Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo,Trinidad and Tobago, Turkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Zambia several concert will be held. View the Jazz Day 2025 upcoming Events!

STATEMENTS: "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." Joint statement by the UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Goodwill Herbie Hancock on International Jazz Day 2025; April 30th.

A series of Free online education programs 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 Financial Times Group (in English)

12:00 PM UAE / 4:00 PM ET
2025 International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert