May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Herbie Hancock performs at the International Jazz Day “All-Star Global Concert” in Havana, Cuba, on April 30.
(Photo: International Jazz Day)The International Jazz Day “All-Star Global Concert” took place in Havana, Cuba, on, April 30, and is now archived at these two websites: jazzday.com or unesco.org/jazzday. Fans can stream this webcast, which is about two hours long.
Herbie Hancock and Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés served as the artistic directors for the concert, and John Beasley and Emilio Vega were the musical co-directors.
The announced lineup for the show included Ambrose Akinmusire (United States), Carl Allen (United States), Pancho Amat (Cuba), Marc Antoine (France), Richard Bona (Cameroon), Till Brönner (Germany), A Bu (China), Igor Butman (Russian Federation), Bobby Carcassés (Cuba), Regina Carter (United States), Kurt Elling (United States), Kenny Garrett (United States), Antonio Hart (United States) and Takuya Kuroda (Japan).
Other performers announced as part of the diverse roster included Ivan Lins (Brazil), Sixto Llorente (Cuba), César López (Cuba), Marcus Miller (United States), Youn Sun Nah (Republic of Korea), Julio Padrón (Cuba), Gianluca Petrella (Italy), Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Cuba), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Christian Sands (United States), Esperanza Spalding (United States), Ben Williams (United States), Tarek Yamani (Lebanon) and Dhafer Youssef (Tunisia).
The celebration in Havana marked the 70th anniversary of Cuba’s accession to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the foundation of the National Commission for UNESCO. DB
Onstage, Rollins would move about restlessly, thrusting his tenor sax in the air as he blew.
May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
How best to mark Miles Davis’ centennial? By allowing the stories to flow, and cross-discussions to happen.
May 26, 2026 10:40 AM
Editor’s Note: The iconic trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Davis would have turned 100 today (May 26, 2026).…
“I wanted to get into the real feeling,” Melissa Aldana says of studying the work of singers from Cuba’s filin tradition in preparation for her collaboration with pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba.
May 19, 2026 11:46 AM
Melissa Aldana is an investigator. She’s not comfortable resting on what she knows, instead seeking to learn more and…
“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.
Jun 16, 2026 1:27 AM
Gabrielle Cavassa is an avowed perfectionist. So when she failed to place despite becoming a finalist in the 2018 Sarah…
