Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
In Memoriam: John Hammond Jr., 1942–2026
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
Vocalist Bobby Carcassés, percussionist Yaroldy Abreu and bassist Esperanza Spalding perform Spalding’s composition “I Adore You” in Havana on April 30. The BET network will broadcast the concert Sunday (June 18) at 2 p.m. EST.
(Photo: Steve Mundinger)If you weren’t fortunate enough to attend the 2017 International Jazz Day Concert in Havana, or if you didn’t watch the live stream online, you’ve got another chance to see it. The BET network will broadcast the concert on Sunday at 2 p.m. EST.
The special broadcast will showcase events from International Jazz Day and focus on the All-Star Global Concert, featuring exclusive interviews with the performers from the historic April 30 event at the Gran Teatro de la Habana. The concert was hosted by actor Will Smith.
The program includes jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spalding, Cassandra Wilson, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ben Williams, Richard Bona and many others paying tribute to the global roots and unifying potential of jazz music alongside two dozen renowned Cuban musicians. Watch the trailer below for more info:
From interactions with local musicians to the free education and community engagement activities organized as part of Jazz Day, the artists’ reflections on Cuba’s dynamic musical culture set a rich backdrop for the evening’s performances.
Journalist John Murph covered the concert for DownBeat. To read his review, click here.
For the sixth year, International Jazz Day was observed around the world on April 30 to highlight the diplomatic role of jazz as a vector for peace, intercultural dialog and international cooperation. For more information on Jazz Day, click here. DB
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
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John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
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