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
Constant Boty is an established West African musician, specializing in a mix of West African folkloric music, European classical, jazz and electronics. He is also an experienced music educator who teaches guitar and tribal drumming. Boty has participated in International Jazz Day since 2014, when he collaborated with the UNESCO Accra Office while living in Ghana. In 2018, Boty will again apply his experience as an organizer by producing a concert in his home country of Cote d’Ivoire, with a special focus on celebrating Zaouli, the popular music and dance of Boty’s community and a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.Read More
2018 Events
- Moonlight Jazz BSB LAGO SUL, Brasília (Brazil)
- International Jazz Day at Comeet Comeet Creative Space, Heraklion (Greece)
- International Jazz Day Champagne Brunch at Satin Doll Satin Doll (Roppongi), Minato-ku (Japan)
- Visitarte São Mateus São Mateus, Madalena (Portugal)
- Leo vera band celebramos el día del jazz tucuman San Miguel de Tucumán, San Miguel (Argentina)
- Heritage Private School celebrates UNESCO International Jazz Day The Heritage Private School, Limassol (Cyprus)
- 2nd Leuca (Finibus Terrae) Jazz Day Celebration 2018 Torre di Salignano, Salignano (Italy)
- Wine & Jazz Wednesdays! Main Street Tavern BA, Broken Arrow (United States)
- The Voices of Jazz Apollo Civic Theatre, Martinsburg (United States)
- Día internacional del Jazz – Cochabamba Jazz Stop, Cochabamba (Bolivia)
