We’re starting something new this week. Each Thursday we will announce our Top Pick for the upcoming weekend. You can get a head start on planning out what you’ll want to watch. On Fridays we will unveil our full list of Best Bets, and the Top Pick will still lead that list.
Our Top Pick: Best Bets April 30th – May 3rd is the 2021 Global All-Star Concert for International Jazz Day. The concert takes place on April 30th beginning at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT. The concert will remain available for viewing for 30 days.
This year’s line-up is extraordinary and will be coming from around the world.
Performing from New York will be saxophonist Melissa Aldana; bassist Massimo Biolcati; pianist A Bu; pianist Cyrus Chestnut; composer/pianist Amina Figarova; vocalist Roberta Gambarini; saxophonist Kenny Garrett; bassist James Genus; vibraphonist Stefon Harris; trumpeter Ingrid Jensen; saxophonist Joe Lovano; saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa; composer/drummer Antonio Sánchez and vocalist Veronica Swift.
Performing from Los Angeles will be the legendary Herbie Hancock (who also serves as Artistic Director of the concert); percussionist Alex Acuña; reedman Justo Almario; vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater; singer/songwriter Jonathan Butler; guitarist Mahmoud Chouki; pianist Gerald Clayton; singer/songwriter Andra Day; guitarist Romeo Lubambo; bassist Marcus Miller; vocalist Dianne Reeves; composer/trombonist Francisco Torres, drummer Justin Tyson and bassist/composer Ben Williams.
International performances will include performances by saxophonist Igor Butman from Moscow; multi-instrumentalist/singer Jacob Collier from London; trumpeter Mandisi Dyantyis in Cape Town; singer Angélique Kidjo from Paris; composer/singer Ivan Lins in Rio De Janeiro; guitarist John McLaughlin in Monaco; trumpeter James Morrison in Mt. Gambier and pianist Junko Onishi in Tokyo.
John Beasley is the Musical Director for International Jazz Day.
You will be able to watch this live event on YouTube, Facebook, at jazzy.com, UN Web TV and more. And it’s free to watch!
There are International Jazz Day celebrations around the world. Why not celebrate with them?
The 2021 Global Concert will remain available for viewing through May 29th.
Photo: Herbie Hancock at the International Jazz Day 2019 All-Star Global Concert (Photo by Steve Mundinger/Courtesy Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz)