International Jazz Day Celebration Will Be Held In Abu Dhabi Next Year

Total Hancock, jazz musician and UNESCO Ambassador (Instagram @herbiehancock)

JAKARTA - The capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi was chosen to hold an International Jazz Day (International Jazz Day) celebration on April 30, 2025, next year.

Audrey Azoulay as UNESCO's Director-General said the celebration of International Jazz Day in Abu Dhabi would be presented with a mix of cultures, as jazz itself is a mixed culture product.

International Jazz Day will arrive in Abu Dhabi in 2025, providing new energy and enjoying a mix of cultures. This celebration in the city of cosmopolitan will realize jazz power to unite and enjoy our shared sense of humanity," said Audrey Azoulay, launching the official website of International Jazz Day, Thursday, July 18.

Meanwhile, Hancock, UNESCO Ambassador who is also a jazz living legend, stated that famous jazz musicians will join the celebration in Abu Dhabi.

"Jazz is a language of unity and a beacon of hope that continues to inspire a generation of new artists from all over the world. In Abu Dhabi, a group of well-known international artists will join us to share their musical vision, build bridges through musical power, and create harmony in our diverse world," Hancock said.

The celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 will later collaborate with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), focusing on the legacy of Arab and Emirati music in the city.

This annual celebration will introduce Arabic jazz to the audience by highlighting decades of interaction between local musical traditions through classical instruments such as oud, qanun and ney, with jazz music.

In addition, education and outreach programs to the public will be part of the celebration. Music education programs in local schools, high-level learning institutions such as Berklee Abu Dhabi, New York University Abu Dhabi and other universities based in the United Arab Emirates will offer workshops and master classes.

"We are honored that Abu Dhabi was selected as the global host for the 2025 edition of International Jazz Day," said DCT Speaker Abu Dhabi, HE Mohamed Al Mubarak.

This recognition underscores the development of our city's music world and a firm commitment to cultural diversity and artistic excellence. As UNESCO's Creative Music City, Abu Dhabi has long been a beacon of musical innovation, where traditional Arab melodies blend perfectly with the global genre, creating dynamic and unique cultural beacons," continued Mohamed Al Mubarak.

Organizing International Jazz Day reaffirms our dedication to art and provides a global stage to showcase our dynamical music world. Our city has consistently celebrated and fostered musical talent from around the world.