The 15th annual International Jazz Day 2026 on 30 April concluded with an all-star concert in Chicago, hosted at the Lyric Opera House.
More than 40 artists performed, including Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gregory Porter, Jacob Collier and Buddy Guy.
The concert opened with a tribute to Chicago’s musical history. Bridgewater and Porter performed “The In-Crowd” in honour of Ramsey Lewis, followed by Hancock’s reinterpretation of “Watermelon Man”. Guy appeared with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues”, and Collier closed the segment with a tribute to Quincy Jones.
Other performances included Lizz Wright with “Seems I’m Never Tired of Loving You”, and a jazz–hip hop set led by Robert Glasper. Brazil’s Bia Ferreira performed “Antes de Ir”, while Béla Fleck presented “Touch and Go”. Vocalists Dianne Reeves and Kurt Elling interpreted standards associated with Duke Ellington and Art Blakey respectively.
The closing set featured pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba performing “Caravan”, followed by “Summertime” from George Gershwin, referencing the influential version by John Coltrane. Marcus Miller paid tribute to Miles Davis with “Tutu”. The concert ended with “Imagine” by John Lennon.
Events marking International Jazz Day were held in 196 countries and all 50 U.S. states, including performances, education programs and community activities.
International Jazz Day was established by UNESCO in 2011 to recognise jazz as a tool for cultural exchange and international dialogue.
