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May 1, 2023
International Jazz Day 2023 Worldwide Celebration concludes with Extraordinary All-Star Global Concert
Thousands of Performances and Events occur in 195 Countries on All Continents.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton joins Herbie Hancock for Historic Conversation about Jazz.
Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, London, UK.
Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, Goa, India.
Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, Cuba, Guatemala.
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 — The 12th annual International Jazz Day came to a thrilling close with a spectacular All-Star Global Concert featuring performances from Beijing, Beirut, Johannesburg, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Vienna, and beyond. The All-Star Global Concert showcased celebrated jazz artists, including Cyrille Aimée (France), Ambrose Akinmusire (USA), Thana Alexa (Croatia), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), Musekiwa Chingodza (Zimbabwe), Emmet Cohen (USA), Kurt Elling (USA), Oran Etkin (Israel), Tom Gansch (Austria), Christian McBride (USA), Sérgio Mendes (Brazil), Marcus Miller (USA), Thandi Ntuli (South Africa), Dianne Reeves (USA), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (Rwanda) and many others.
To mark International Jazz Day 2023, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock met for a historical conversation about the impact of jazz on their lives and humanity.
The All-Star Global Concert opened with acclaimed vocalist Somi and her remarkably unique rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” with John Beasley and Ben Williams. Next, the Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra gave a rousing take on the Gershwin standard, “Fascinating Rhythm.” Next, from Casablanca, Morocco, JazzWomenAfrica performed its composition “Bull Door,” sharing the musical traditions of Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Togo, and Ghana. Next, vocalist Yumi Park and Brazilian pianist Marcos Ariel delivered a compelling “Mas Que Nada” presentation from Rio de Janeiro. Next, Oran Etkin and Mbira player Musekiwa Chingodza provided a heartwarming performance from the streets of rural Zimbabwe. Next, Herbie Hancock enlisted Ambrose Akinmusire and Walter Smith, III, to perform Wayne Shorter’s iconic composition, “Footprints.” Finally, Dianne Reeves brought the evening to a gorgeous close with her stunning rendition of Horace Silver’s “Peace.”
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay noted, “Today, let us pay tribute to the genius of the creators and musicians who have been defining and redefining jazz for over a century, from Ella Fitzgerald to Manu Dibango. But let us also commit to supporting jazz players across the globe - so that the universal message of peace and humanity conveyed by jazz music resonates worldwide.”
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock said, “Respect for human dignity is firmly integrated into the DNA of jazz. International Jazz Day honors this important value by embracing the peace and freedom that jazz so eloquently proclaims. And that is the spirit of jazz - finding delight in diversity and creating harmony out of our differences.”
The International Jazz Day 2023 celebration included thousands of jazz performances, jam sessions, master classes, education and community outreach initiatives, and other special events in 195 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Additionally, UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz presented educational programs in five languages.
Each year on April 30, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities on all continents to highlight the power of jazz as a force for freedom and creativity, promote intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding, and unite people worldwide. The UNESCO Member Nations adopted International Jazz Day on the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, who co-chairs the annual celebration with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. UNESCO and the United Nations recognize this day in their official calendars.
Source: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:15 AM | Link to this Post
