Lisa Brickell, a writer, actor, and director from New Zealand, was in Los Angeles recently for the LA Women Film Festival, where ICAP conducted this interview. In 2013, Lisa directed iChoose, a 20-minute Broadway-style musical about nonviolence and anti-bullying. The project brought together Lisa and a dozen young artists who, after three weeks of rehearsals,…
May 4, 2025 – The global community gathered to celebrate the 14th annual International Jazz Day on April 30, 2025, highlighting jazz as a universal language of peace and dialogue. This UNESCO-designated event, led by legendary pianist Herbie Hancock, who serves as both UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the International Committee of Artists for…
On September 14, 2023, the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship-an event celebrating guitarists who play without a pick-was held in Winfield, Kansas. For Momo Kimura, this was her sixth attempt at the renowned competition, and it finally brought her a well-deserved victory. The win was made even sweeter by a congratulatory message from jazz legend Herbie…
Washington, DC – March 16 At the Music Center at Strathmore near Washington, D.C., a concert by the Equity Arc Wind Symphony and veteran military musicians was more than a performance – it was a profound act of mentorship and peacebuilding. Originally planned with “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the event faced cancellation due…
In this powerful and inspiring video, legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock shares his profound vision on how artists can be catalysts for peace in our world. As president of the International Committee of Artists for Peace (ICAP), Hancock speaks from decades of experience using music as a bridge between cultures and a tool for positive…
An abundance of talented Guam high school students came together on October 25 to showcase their remarkable talents and express their unwavering commitment to peace and unity in a competition called “Voices of Courage and Hope.” The event, emceed by Antonio Whatley II, and held at the Micronesia Mall, proved to be more than just…
In a remarkable celebration of music’s power to inspire and unite, Grammy Award-winning flutist and ICAP member Nestor Torres brought world-class artistry directly to Guam’s classrooms this October, touching the lives of more than a thousand young musicians and music enthusiasts across the island. The visit began October 20, when Mr. Torres returned to the…
The popular Japanese singer Kiyoshi Hikawa has made a profound impact on Japan’s entertainment industry and society as a whole. Born in Fukuoka in 1977, the performer (who prefers the pronouns ‘they’ and ‘their’) is celebrated for their contributions to the traditional Japanese music genre of enka, and in fact has often been called the…
On August 14, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles resounded with the timeless melodies of jazz maestro (and ICAP president) Herbie Hancock. The concert, a golden jubilee celebration of Hancock’s revolutionary album, Head Hunters, marked the first reunion of The Headhunters band in 50 years. A few video clips of the show The event began…
John Beasley is a highly accomplished, Grammy-award-winning jazz pianist, composer and arranger. His influence spans across various musical genres and media. His illustrious career includes collaborations with iconic figures such as Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdes, Steely Dan, and Lee Ritenour. Since 2011, Beasley has served as the music director for Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz…