Chicago to Shine on Global Stage with Month-Long UNESCO International Jazz Celebration
The city's legendary jazz scene will take center stage in April as Chicago hosts the 15th International Jazz Day celebration, marking the first time the city has taken on this role. The event, which is part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Jazz Day series, promises to showcase the city's rich history and contributions to jazz music.
A diverse lineup of artists, including Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Ernest Dawkins, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Terence Blanchard, will perform at various venues across the city. The celebration will kick off on April 1 with weeks of educational programming, masterclasses, and special performances that are free and open to the public.
The event's co-artistic directors, Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling, will also helm the April 30 All-Star Global Concert at Chicago's Lyric Opera House. This year's iteration highlights Chicago's significant influence on jazz music, blues, and global sounds. The concert is expected to draw in over 40 international artists.
Chicago has a long history of producing influential jazz musicians, from Louis Armstrong to Nat King Cole and Miles Davis. Governor JB Pritzker notes that the city's jazz legacy is an integral part of its identity and spirit, saying "jazz runs deep around here." The event aims to showcase this heritage on a global stage.
In addition to the musical performances, the celebration will also highlight Chicago's role in shaping the genre through various exhibitions, talks, and workshops. The event aligns with both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis' birth.
Pritzker credits concerts and music festivals with driving tourism to Illinois, stating that major events like International Jazz Day will continue to attract visitors from around the world. Last year's concert was watched by over 250 million people via streaming, drawing attention globally.
The month-long celebration is a significant milestone for Chicago, marking its first time hosting the event. The city's reputation as a hub for jazz music and innovation makes it an ideal location to showcase this global phenomenon.
The city's legendary jazz scene will take center stage in April as Chicago hosts the 15th International Jazz Day celebration, marking the first time the city has taken on this role. The event, which is part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Jazz Day series, promises to showcase the city's rich history and contributions to jazz music.
A diverse lineup of artists, including Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Ernest Dawkins, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Terence Blanchard, will perform at various venues across the city. The celebration will kick off on April 1 with weeks of educational programming, masterclasses, and special performances that are free and open to the public.
The event's co-artistic directors, Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling, will also helm the April 30 All-Star Global Concert at Chicago's Lyric Opera House. This year's iteration highlights Chicago's significant influence on jazz music, blues, and global sounds. The concert is expected to draw in over 40 international artists.
Chicago has a long history of producing influential jazz musicians, from Louis Armstrong to Nat King Cole and Miles Davis. Governor JB Pritzker notes that the city's jazz legacy is an integral part of its identity and spirit, saying "jazz runs deep around here." The event aims to showcase this heritage on a global stage.
In addition to the musical performances, the celebration will also highlight Chicago's role in shaping the genre through various exhibitions, talks, and workshops. The event aligns with both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis' birth.
Pritzker credits concerts and music festivals with driving tourism to Illinois, stating that major events like International Jazz Day will continue to attract visitors from around the world. Last year's concert was watched by over 250 million people via streaming, drawing attention globally.
The month-long celebration is a significant milestone for Chicago, marking its first time hosting the event. The city's reputation as a hub for jazz music and innovation makes it an ideal location to showcase this global phenomenon.
The fact that Chicago is finally getting some well-deserved attention on the global stage with its legendary jazz scene is 
amazing! I mean, who doesn't love live jazz music? 
It's awesome that they're highlighting the city's rich history and contributions to the genre. And the lineup of artists? Insane! 
Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling are huge names in the industry, so it's exciting to see them back home performing at all-star events. The fact that the event is free and open to the public means everyone can get in on the action too. I'm curious to see how the exhibitions and talks will add another layer of depth to the celebration. And with 40+ international artists set to perform, it's definitely going to be a global phenomenon! 
lol i mean its 2025 and they're still celebrating international jazz day like 15 years after its creation? shouldn't be a big deal anymore 
anyway idk how much money is being thrown at this event but shes gotta be some serious cash 
and if chicago's reputation as a hub for jazz music is any indication, im gonna be there to soak up all the good vibes 
. And don't even get me started on the 250 million people watching last year's concert online - what a huge waste of bandwidth, considering most of them probably weren't even from Illinois anyway 
... Still, I suppose it's good for Governor Pritzker's re-election chances, and the city can finally show off its jazz cred 
? I swear, it's always something with music and food, am I right?
Chicago is gonna be on fire in April! Interesting how they're gonna celebrate jazz music all month long 
Guess it'll be awesome to see Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling perform live 
I'm sure it'll be awesome, but you know what's even more amazing? Miles Davis' 100th anniversary - that's some next level jazz history right there 
. And can you imagine watching over 250 million people stream last year's concert? That's like, a whole lotta jazz love 
!
, its free and open to the public! [www.unesco.org](http://www.unesco.org)
! It feels like just yesterday I was rocking out to Miles Davis at the Green Mill 
. Can't wait to see what kind of global attention this thing brings in... 250 million views last year? That's bananas! 
I mean, who doesn't love Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling? And 40+ international artists performing in one night? That's what I'm talking about! 
The city's history with jazz is wild - from Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis... it's like a who's who of legendary musicians. 
on april 30th!!! and 40+ international artists? 
but it'll be amazing to see their legacy shine so bright on a global stage. 
fingers crossed i can snag some tickets for the free public events 
. Can't wait to catch some of these performances live, but I'll also be streamin' from home - 250 million viewers last year was crazy, imagine the energy this time around!