International Jazz Day 2019 Worldwide Celebration Concludes with Extraordinary All-Star Global Concert in Melbourne, Australia

Thousands of Performances and Programs Take Place in 195 Countries on All Continents

Herbie Hancock, Kurt Elling, Somi, Igor Butman, James Morrison, Lizz Wright and Jane Monheit perform during the International Jazz Day 2019 All-Star Global Concert at Hamer Hall on April 30, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz)

Melbourne, Australia, April 30 — Following thousands of jazz events taking place in 195 countries around the world, International Jazz Day 2019 came to a thrilling close this evening in Melbourne, Australia with an extraordinary All-Star Global Concert at the Melbourne Arts Centre's renowned Hamer Hall. Led by artistic co-directors Herbie Hancock (USA) and James Morrison (Australia), and musical director John Beasley (USA), the concert was streamed live by the United Nations and UNESCO and on www.jazzday.com. It featured riveting performances by over 30 international artists: Cieavash Arian (Iran), William Barton (Australia), Brian Blade (USA), A Bu (China), Igor Butman (Russian Federation), Theo Croker (USA), Joey DeFrancesco (USA), Eli Degibri (Israel), Kurt Elling (USA), James Genus (USA), Paul Grabowsky (Australia), Antonio Hart (USA), Matthew Jodrell (Australia), Aditya Kalyanpur (India), Ledisi (USA), Jane Monheit (USA), James Muller (Australia), Eijiro Nakagawa (Japan), Mark Nightingale (United Kingdom), Jeff Parker (USA), Chico Pinheiro (Brazil), Tineke Postma (Netherlands), Eric Reed (USA), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (USA), Ben Williams (USA), Lizz Wright (USA) and Tarek Yamani (Lebanon).

The All-Star Global Concert opening performance showcased two of Australia's most beloved musicians: didgeridoo player William Barton and trumpeter James Morrison. Vocalist Jane Monheit later joined forces with Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Chico Pinheiro on Antonio Carlos Jobim's Brazilian jazz classic "Waters of March." Ledisi brought the house down with her spine-tingling vocals on "Try a Little Tenderness." Backing her was a 10-piece band that included a stellar horn section with Theo Croker, Eli Degibri, Matthew Jodrell, Eijiro Nakagawa and Tineke Postma. A Jazz Day tradition, the All-Star Global Concert concluded with the entire cast contributing to a global jazz-inspired rendition of John Lennon's peace anthem, "Imagine."

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Virun Lertpanyawai is a Bangkok-based jazz lover and entrepreneur who founded the versatile music venue Sweets in 2012. His hard work and enthusiasm for the music helped turn a small coffee shop and art space into a vibrant community for live jazz in Bangkok, hosting accomplished local and international artists such as Gilad Hekselman, Nattapon Fuangaugsorn, Pisut Pratheepasena, Nir Felder, Krit Buranavitayawut, Randy Johnston, Ben Paterson and many others. Since 2014, Lertpanyawai and Sweets have presented International Jazz Day celebrations each year in locations around the city spanning a variety of themes and styles, from dixieland to hot jazz to big band. "Jazz is an international language and jazz people are lovely people," says Lertpanyawai. "It can drive and motivate people to do some amazing things, even World Peace. Just open your heart and try this kind of art and music."Read More Count: 22 Offset: 20 Orig Offset: 592

International Jazz Day 2019 Around The World