- The global celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 concludes in Abu Dhabi, a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
- The 2025 edition of International Jazz Day will be celebrated in over 190 countries on April 30, with Abu Dhabi chosen as the Global Host City.
- Organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, this celebration will include concerts and educational and cultural initiatives.
Paris, France, March 27, 2025 — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, a UNESCO Creative City of Music, will be a vibrant center for a worldwide celebration. Over five weeks, the city will host a series of jazz performances, educational programs, and community events. Highlights will include the internationally broadcast All-Star Global Concert for International Jazz Day 2025 on April 30 at the Etihad Arena, the region’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
“We are excited to celebrate this International Day in the UNESCO Creative City of Music, Abu Dhabi. This edition will showcase the city’s vibrant creativity and cultural heritage while highlighting jazz’s capacity to connect communities and foster dialogue and peace across continents.”
— Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.
Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, this concert, led by the iconic pianist Herbie Hancock, will feature an extraordinary lineup of renowned jazz, blues, classical, and hip-hop artists worldwide.
The following artists are 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.
Jazz has always aimed to unite people, break barriers, and inspire creativity across cultures. According to Herbie Hancock, International Jazz Day reminds us that music has the power to transcend borders, foster dialogue, and ignite joy and hope.
The concert will be live-streamed to millions worldwide via UNTV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook, YouTube, and other international media partners.
International Jazz Day 2025 will include thousands of events around the world, taking place in small towns and major cities. These events will range from intimate performances to large concerts at prominent cultural centers. Artists, educators, and institutions globally will organize masterclasses, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational workshops, showcasing jazz’s significant role as a unifying force.
- A whole month of events in Abu Dhabi
Building on the momentum of International Jazz Day, Jazz Month Abu Dhabi will extend the global celebrations and strengthen jazz’s presence in the region. The events will feature live performances, pop-up concerts, workshops, artist residencies, and educational activities, highlighting jazz’s connections to various musical traditions and artistic disciplines.
As a UNESCO City of Music, Abu Dhabi’s hosting of International Jazz Day highlights its commitment to promoting cultural unity, fostering peace and understanding, and celebrating established and emerging musicians and their exceptional talents. Jazz serves as a powerful tool for global connection and social harmony. We take pride in the fact that our residents and visitors worldwide can enjoy the unique blend of cultural appreciation, creativity, and inclusivity that embodies the spirit of International Jazz Day.
— His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi
Activities will take place at prominent cultural and educational institutions, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and New York University Abu Dhabi, as well as hospitals, senior centers, children’s libraries, and schools. Special performances will highlight the integration of jazz with traditional instruments such as the oud, qanun, and ney, showcasing the ongoing dialogue between jazz and local cultural expressions.
This year’s International Jazz Day aligns with the Culture Summit in Abu Dhabi. This global annual gathering unites a diverse group of creative thinkers, decision-makers, artists, designers, changemakers, and leaders from the culture and creative industries. The Summit will feature special programs, panels, and discussions with Herbie Hancock and other renowned artists.
International Jazz Day was established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 and is recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. Celebrated every April 30, this annual event unites countries and communities worldwide. International Jazz Day emphasizes the significance of jazz in promoting peace, fostering dialogue among cultures, celebrating diversity, and respecting human dignity.
International Jazz Day has evolved into a global movement that engages over 2 billion people each year across all continents. This is achieved through educational programs, performances, community outreach, radio, television, streaming, and electronic, print, and social media.
Source: UNESCO
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