In a radiant display of cultural harmony, the 13th annual International Jazz Day (April 30) celebration wrapped up with a spectacular All-Star Global Concert at the new Palace of Arts and Culture in Tangier, Morocco. Hosted by acclaimed actor Jeremy Irons, the concert featured an international roster of renowned jazz artists from more than 190 countries.

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From the hypnotic Gnawa rhythms of Abdellah El Gourd (Morocco) to the timeless melodies of Herbie Hancock (USA), the night was a bountiful buffet of sonic diversity. Claudia Acuña (Chile), Ambrose Akinmusire (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), and many other virtuosos lent their talents to a musical tapestry that transcended borders and genres.

The concert kicked off with “Welcome to Country,” a performance by local Dar Gnawa musicians, who set the stage for an evening of cultural fusion. Ms. Bridgewater blended Moroccan and Spanish influences with her rendition of Chick Corea’s “Spain.” Jazzmeia Horn (USA) and company presented an infectious “Free Your Mind,” while Richard Bona (Cameroon) performed a soulful “Esoka Bulu (Night Whisper).”

Throughout the night, the music crossed continents and bridged divides. TK Blue and Gnawa master El Gourd melded Moroccan Gnawa and American jazz in their version of Randy Weston’s “Blue Moses,” and Femi Kuti (Nigeria) rocked the crowd with his Afrobeat anthem, “One People, One World.” Kurt Elling (USA) paid tribute to jazz legend Wayne Shorter with a beautiful rendition of “Speak No Evil,” and Shemekia Copeland and Joe Louis Walker brought their raw, authentic American blues to evening’s musical feast.

Other musical masters included John Beasley (USA), Lakecia Benjamin (USA), Richard Bona (Cameroon), Moreira Chonguiça (Mozambique), Antonio Faraò (Italy), Melody Gardot (USA), JK Kim (Republic of Korea), Magnus Lindgren (Sweden), Romero Lubambo (Brazil), Marcus Miller (USA), Yasushi Nakamura (Japan), and Tarek Yamani (Lebanon).

The All-Star Global Concert was the culmination of a month-long celebration through which jazz once again reverberated across the globe. From jam sessions in Jakarta to master classes in Moscow, International Jazz Day 2024 was yet another annual testament to the power of music to unite and inspire. And thanks to the support of organizations like the Doris Duke Foundation, GRoW @ Annenberg, the Ford Foundation, and United Airlines, the magic of jazz reached even the farthest corners of the earth.

Reflecting on the significance of the annual global April 30 commemoration, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay remarked, “Jazz, as Nina Simone eloquently put it, is more than just music . . . It’s a way of life, a way of being, a way of thinking.” Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador (and ICAP president) and the driving force behind International Jazz Day, echoed her sentiments, urging us all to “reaffirm our commitment to the enduring legacy of jazz and its ability to uplift, inspire, and unite us all.”

In all, Jazz Day once again proved to be more than a celebration of music – it was a celebration of humanity, of our shared human history, and our boundless potential for harmony.