UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and music icon Herbie Hancock announced that Paris would play host to the fourth annual International Jazz Day, the fourth annual date dedicated to the most influential genre of the 20th Century. Organizers gave twofold reasoning for the selection of the city, noting that the French capital was largely relevant in the European jazz scene following World War I and hoping that the event would restore some light to the city rocked recently by the Charlie Hebdo massacre and other violence (from ABC News).
"Jazz has been a bridge for bringing people together," Hancock said. "It's not sectarian and it's not just for people of a particular ethnic group. It's for human beings. We need to recognize that which makes us similar, while at the same time honoring that which makes us different."
This year's event will take place on April 30. The United States will be the most well-represented nation at the event's "All-Star Global Concert" (which is fair considering the genre's heritage), including appearances from legends such as Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Marcus Miller. The rest of the world will provide performances from Claudio Roditi (Brazil), Dhafer Youssef (Tunisia) and Igor Butman (Russia) among others. Expect some all-around jams to take place.
The live concert will take place at UNESCO's world headquarters, located in Paris, and will be streamed live. If you'd rather see something live, nearly every one of the U.N.'s member states will have some event taking place.
The Parisian center of events will also include workshops, sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
"The feeling you get in Paris...is of deep respect and honor from the French people," Hancock said. "They really look up to jazz as being a great art music."
© 2024 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
