International Jazz Day heads to the Middle East for 2025. Announced in an official statement late last week, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was selected as the global host city for next year’s festivities.
“The celebration in this cosmopolitan city will embody the power of jazz to unite and delight in our shared humanity,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the selection of Abu Dhabi is an opportunity to introduce new audiences to ‘Arabic Jazz’ and bring Emrati culture to the forefront.
Created in 2011 by the General Conference of UNESCO and officially recognized by United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day was established as a way to pay tribute to jazz as an art form, the impact it has made in creating community and what it represents to the sound of artistic freedom. Since then, it has been celebrated by 2 billion people globally in over 190 countries. In addition to global concerts and events, International Jazz Day is also recognized through educational programs, community outreach and digital campaigns.
“Jazz is a language of unity,” says jazz legend and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, “A beacon of hope that continues to inspire new generations of artists from all corners of the globe.” The Herbie Hancock Institute also serves as the lead nonprofit organization in charge with planning, producing and promoting International Jazz Day annually.
This year’s global host city for International Jazz Day was Tangiers, Morrocco and featured numerous festivities including an All-Star Global concert featuring Marcus Miller, Lakecia Benjamin, Kurt Elling, Melody Gardot, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Femi Kuti and more.