#Abu Dhabi #United Arab Emirates #International Jazz Day #Herbie Hancock

Global Celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 in Abu Dhabi

In 2025, the International Jazz Day will unfold on April 30 across more than 190 countries. The honor of being the Global Host City has been awarded to Abu Dhabi, renowned as a UNESCO Creative City of Music. This grand event, organized in collaboration with UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, promises to be a vibrant celebration filled with concerts, educational programs, and cultural initiatives.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, expressed her excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to celebrate this International Jazz Day on a high note in Abu Dhabi—a city rich in creative and cultural heritage. This celebration will highlight jazz’s unique ability to unite communities, foster dialogue, and promote peace across continents.”

Abu Dhabi will become the heart of a five-week-long global celebration involving a series of jazz concerts, educational programs, and community events leading up to the International Gala Concert on April 30. This concert will take place at Etihad Arena, the largest indoor concert venue in the region, and will be broadcast worldwide.

Legendary pianist Herbie Hancock will lead this exceptional event, which will feature award-winning actor Jeremy Irons as the host, bringing together renowned jazz, blues, classical, and hip-hop artists from around the globe. Featured performers will include Arqam Al Abri (UAE), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), A Bu (China), and many other talented musicians. Details about additional artists will be unveiled in the following weeks.

Hancock remarked, “Jazz has always served as a unifying force, breaking down barriers and inspiring creativity across cultures. International Jazz Day reminds us that music transcends borders, encourages dialogue, and brings joy and hope.” The concert will also be live-streamed for millions to enjoy through UNTV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook, YouTube, and other international media partners.

Around the world, thousands of events will take place to commemorate International Jazz Day 2025. Artists, educators, and institutions will organize workshops, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational seminars that reflect jazz's profound influence as a unifying power.

Events in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, activities will be hosted in major cultural and educational institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and New York University Abu Dhabi, as well as hospitals, elder care centers, children’s libraries, and schools. Special performances will showcase the interaction of jazz with traditional instruments like the oud, qanun, and nai, highlighting the dialogue between jazz and local culture.

This year, the International Jazz Day coincides with the Cultural Summit in Abu Dhabi. This annual event gathers creative leaders from the cultural and creative industries, featuring expert group meetings and discussions involving Herbie Hancock and other prominent artists.

The Global Support for International Jazz Day is made possible by the Doris Duke Foundation and United Airlines, the global aviation partner of the event.

About International Jazz Day

Established by UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day is celebrated annually on April 30, uniting countries and communities worldwide. This celebration emphasizes the importance of jazz as a tool for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human dignity. International Jazz Day has become a global movement, reaching over 2 billion people. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the leading non-profit organization responsible for planning, promoting, and organizing International Jazz Day each year.

To learn more and register for events, visit www.jazzday.com or www.unesco.org/en/international-jazz-day.