Today's Edition
TAARIQ HALIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi, the official Global Host City of International Jazz Day 2025, is ready to host the world's biggest jazz celebration with five weeks of non-stop music and events. International Jazz Day is celebrated in more than 190 countries, and the party starts on April 30 with the All-Star Global Concert, being staged at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
This extraordinary event will bring together world-renowned artists, led by Herbie Hancock, a multiple Grammy-winning jazz icon. The lineup features some of the most celebrated and award-winning acts in jazz, promising to deliver a world-class show.
The performances will blend together Maqamat, rhythmic complexity and Western harmonies, creating a rich, genre-defying soundscape that embodies the global spirit of jazz.
The five-week-long festival is organised by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
"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," said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
Abu Dhabi will serve as a vibrant centre of this worldwide celebration, hosting a five-week, citywide series of jazz performances, education programmes and community events.
International Jazz Day 2025 will feature thousands of events worldwide in small towns and major cities, from intimate performances to large-scale concerts at leading cultural centres. Artists, educators, and institutions across the globe will organise masterclasses, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational workshops, reflecting the profound impact of jazz as a unifying force.
All-Star Global Concert
The All-Star Global Concert on April 30 will be led by iconic pianist Hancock and hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, and will bring together an extraordinary lineup of renowned jazz, blues, classical, and hip-hop artists from around the world.
The diverse list of regional and international acts includes: Arqam Al Abri (UAE), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), A Bu (China), Terri Lyne Carrington (USA), Kurt Elling (USA), Ruthie Foster (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), among others.
Hancock said: "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."
The concert at Etihad Arena will also be streamed live to millions around the world via UNTV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook, YouTube and other international media partners.
Full Month of Events in Abu Dhabi
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 centres, 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, and leaders from the culture and creative industries. The Summit will include special programmes including panels and conversations with Hancock and other renowned artists.
