Abu Dhabi Selected as Host City for 2025 International Jazz Day

By DownBeat I Aug. 13, 2024

From left: Billy Childs, Jazzmeia Horn, Terreon Gully, Yasushi Nakamura, Jaleel Shaw and Ambrose Akinmusire perform at the International Jazz Day 2024 All-Star Global Concert in Tangier, Morocco.
(Photo: Steve Mundinger/Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will serve as the Global Host of the 2025 edition of International Jazz Day, according to an announcement by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. Every year on April 30, International Jazz Day is celebrated around the world, honoring the sound of artistic freedom.

“International Jazz Day heads to Abu Dhabi in 2025, infusing new energy and basking in the mélange of cultures,” said Azoulay. “The celebration in this cosmopolitan city will embody the power of jazz to unite and delight in our shared humanity.”

“Jazz is a language of unity and a beacon of hope that continues to inspire new generations of artists from all corners of the globe,” said Hancock. “In Abu Dhabi, a renowned group of international artists will join us to share their musical vision, build bridges through the power of music and create harmony in our diverse world.”

Presented in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the celebration will be anchored around its cultural heritage, defined as a tapestry of an Arab and Emirati culture. Classical instruments like oud, qanoon and ney will introduce global audiences to new sounds and showcase the interplay of local musical traditions and jazz dating back decades.

“This recognition underscores our city’s thriving music scene and unwavering commitment to cultural diversity and artistic excellence,” said HE Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “As a UNESCO Creative City of Music, Abu Dhabi has long been a beacon of musical innovation, where traditional Arabian melodies blend seamlessly with global genres, creating a vibrant and unique cultural tapestry. Our city consistently celebrates and nurtures musical talent from around the world.”

Along with the concert, educational programs and community outreach are key features of Jazz Day. On April 30, Abu Dhabi will bring musical education to local schools across the city. Higher-education institutions like Berklee Abu Dhabi and New York University Abu Dhabi and other UAE-based universities will also open their doors, offering workshops and master classes in their lecture halls, exhibition spaces and auditoriums. Special attention will be paid to the participation of young musicians, encouraging them to cultivate their interest in music and pursue a career in jazz.

Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day has reached more than 2 billion people on all continents through education programs, performances, community outreach and online platforms. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing International Jazz Day each year.

To learn more about International Jazz Day 2025, visit jazzday.com or unesco.org/en/international-jazz-day. DB