International Jazz Day 2018 Comes to a Close Following Celebratory Concerts in St. Petersburg and New Orleans
Thousands of Performances and Programs Take Place in More Than 190 Countries Around the World
Pictured from left to right celebrating International Jazz Day 2018 in St. Petersburg, Russia are from left to right: Igor Butman, Herbie Hancock, David Goloschekin, Robert Glasper, Kurt Elling, John Beasley, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, Till Bronner, Luciana Souza
St. Petersburg, Russia, 30 April—International Jazz Day 2018 came to a phenomenal close this evening in St. Petersburg, following an extraordinary All-Star Global Concert at the historic Mariinsky Theatre that capped off several days of educational outreach programs across the city. The concert, led by artistic co-directors Herbie Hancock (USA) and Igor Butman (Russia), was streamed live by the United Nations and UNESCO and on www.jazzday.com. It featured performances by an international roster of artists including Oleg Akkuratov (Russia), Till Brönner (Germany), Oleg Butman (Russia), Terri Lyne Carrington (USA), Joey DeFrancesco (USA), Fatoumata Diawara (Mali), Vadim Eilenkrig (Russia), Kurt Elling (USA), Antonio Faraò (Italy), James Genus (USA), Robert Glasper (USA), David Goloschekin (Russia), Hassan Hakmoun (Morocco), Gilad Hekselman (Israel), Horacio Hernandez (Cuba), Taku Hirano (Japan), Anatoly Kroll (Russia), Gaoyang Li (China), Rudresh Mahanthappa (USA), The Manhattan Transfer (USA), Branford Marsalis (USA), James Morrison (Australia), Moscow Jazz Orchestra (Russia), Makoto Ozone (Japan), Danilo Pérez (Panama), Dianne Reeves (USA), Lee Ritenour (USA), Luciana Souza (Brazil) and Ben Williams (USA). John Beasley (USA) served as musical director.
The All-Star Global Concert included special remarks from the International Jazz Day Co-Chairs: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. The evening showcased incomparable musicians from around the world and their unique interpretations of jazz. Inventive pairings included The Manhattan Transfer delivering an exhilarating version of "Birdland" with the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, and renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis performing "As Long As You're Living" alongside acclaimed vocalist Kurt Elling, German trumpet sensation Till Brönner and Italian pianist Antonio Faraò. The stunning vocalist Dianne Reeves joined forces with Russian saxophonist Igor Butman, Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone, and American rising star bassist Ben Williams for a breathtaking performance of "In A Sentimental Mood." The concert concluded with the entire cast performing a heartfelt rendition of John Lennon's beloved peace anthem, "Imagine."
Leading up to the All-Start Global Concert, St. Petersburg hosted a wide array of programming including master classes and workshops with Oleg Butman and Lee Ritenour; panel discussions exploring Jazz and Peace, Women in Jazz and Jazz and Roots Music; and jam sessions with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Fellows.
Photos From The Programs In St. Petersburg
2018 International Jazz Day Event Map
Featured Organizer
Owner of Tago Jazz Cafe, Nelson Gonzales aims to rebuild a healthy and viable jazz scene in Cubao, Quezon City. Gonzales is especially focused on providing an affordable venue for young audiences. Tago means “hidden” in the Tagalog language, and true to its name, the Café is tucked away in a relatively secluded area of Quezon City. Tago’s owner, Nelson Gonzales, didn’t plan it that way; he came into possession of the building—his late grandmother’s house—by chance, and seized the opportunity to start his own place. If Facebook reviews are any indication, finding Tago has become some sort of rite of passage for jazz fans. They conclude that, while it isn’t easy to find, journeying to Tago is certainly worth the effort.Read More
2018 Events
- Future of Alaska Jazz 49th State Brewing Company, Anchorage (United States)
- University of Vermont Chromaticats & Jazz Vocal Ensemble Music Building Recital Hall, Burlington (United States)
- Jazz Books, Jazz Looks: Jazz, Photographs and Reenactments. Bright Start Child Care Center After School Program, Cleveland (United States)
- Awa Ly @ Saint-Louis Jazz Festival 2018 Saint-Louis, Saint-Louis (Senegal)
- International Jazz Day Sunday Brunch at Mia Cucina by The Bombay Jazz Club Mia Cucina, Mumbai (India)
- Roger Rota Octo fot International Jazz Day Opificio - Cucina e Bottega, Novara (Italy)
- Jazz lessons at Levante International School Colegio Internacional de Levante - Music Conservatory, Chiva (Spain)
- International Jazz Day Bitola 2018 Kamarite - Bitola, Bitola (Macedonia)
- NOCZ s BITTOVOU na Rekovicích Lesní Hotel Rekovice, Frenštát pod Radhoštěm (Czech Republic)
- Jazzing It Up on the Seacoast Seacoast African American Cultural Center, Portsmouth (United States)
