Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena Resonates with Jazz Luminaries in Global Celebration
A constellation of jazz virtuosos illuminated Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on April 30, marking the culmination of the 14th International Jazz Day. The event, orchestrated by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, showcased a tapestry of performances that underscored jazz's enduring global resonance.
Herbie Hancock, the event's artistic director, led a diverse ensemble of musicians from 14 countries. The concert featured luminaries such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves, and Marcus Miller, each bringing their unique flair to the stage. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the evening was a testament to jazz's unifying power.
The program commenced with Hancock's introspective rendition of 'Maiden Voyage,' setting a contemplative tone. A standout moment was the duet between Parisian pianist Hélène Mercier and Beijing's A Bu, who delivered a stirring interpretation of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue,' blending classical precision with jazz improvisation. Arturo Sandoval, David Sánchez, and Danilo Pérez paid homage to Dizzy Gillespie with a spirited performance of 'Tin Tin Deo,' while José James infused The Rolling Stones' 'Miss You' with soulful nuances.
The finale, a collective rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine,' encapsulated the evening's ethos of unity and hope, resonating deeply with the international audience.
Earlier in the day, the Opening Ceremony at Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, featured addresses by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone. The ceremony highlighted the UAE's commitment to cultural dialogue and the arts.
Beyond the main concert, Abu Dhabi hosted a series of educational and outreach programs. Institutions like Berklee Abu Dhabi, Bait Al Oud, and the Cultural Foundation facilitated workshops and performances, engaging both youth and seasoned musicians. A notable collaboration with the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi included a panel discussion featuring Hancock and Financial Times CEO John Ridding, exploring jazz's role in contemporary culture.
See also Dubai to Build 1.4km Bridge Linking Bur Dubai and Dubai Islands
This year's International Jazz Day was observed in over 190 countries, with thousands of events celebrating the genre's rich heritage and its capacity to foster cross-cultural understanding. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the day's significance, stating, 'This edition highlights the city's rich tapestry of creativity and cultural heritage while showcasing jazz's ability to connect communities and promote dialogue and peace across continents.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Evaristo wins accolades for breaking literary boundaries
Bernardine Evaristo doesn't like boundaries. For the Booker Prize-winning novelist, rules about genre, grammar or what a working-class biracial woman can achieve are all to be challenged and swept away. Evaristo was announced on Wednesday as recipient of the 100,000-pound ($135,000) Women's Prize Outstanding Contribution Award for her 'transformative impact on literature and her unwavering dedication to uplifting under-represented voices.' Evaristo, 66, received the prize both for her work to help promote women and writers of colour, and for writing that takes in poetry, a memoir and seven novels including the Booker-winning 'Girl, Woman, Other.' 'I just go wherever my imagination takes me,' she said. 'I didn't want to write the kind of novels that would take you on a predictable emotional or moral journey.' Evaristo had already explored autobiographical fiction, historical settings and alternate realities when she won the Booker in 2019 for 'Girl Woman, Other,' a polyphonic novel told from the point of view of a dozen characters, largely Black women, with widely varying ages, experiences and sexualities. She was the first woman of African heritage to be awarded the prize, which was founded in 1969 and has a reputation for transforming writers' careers. When she won, Evaristo was 60 and had been a writer for decades. She says the recognition 'came at the right time for me.' 'Maybe I wouldn't have handled it so well if I was younger,' she told The Associated Press at her London home. 'It changed my career — in terms of book sales, foreign rights, translation, the way in which I was viewed as a writer. Various other opportunities came my way. And I felt that I had the foundations to handle that.' Evaristo's house on a quiet suburban street is bright and comfortable, with wooden floors, vibrant textiles and a large wooden writing desk by the front window. Large photos of her Nigerian paternal grandparents hang on one wall. Her work often draws on her roots as the London-born child of a Nigerian father and white British mother. Like much of Evaristo's work, 'Girl, Woman, Other' eludes classification. She calls it 'fusion fiction' for its melding of poetry and prose into a novel that relishes the texture and rhythm of language. 'I kind of dispense with the rules of grammar,' she said. 'I think I have 12 full stops in the novel.' If that sounds dauntingly experimental, readers didn't think so. 'Girl, Woman, Other' has sold more than 1 million copies and was chosen as one of Barack Obama's books of the year. Evaristo traces her love of poetry to the church services of her Catholic childhood, where she soaked up the rhythms of the Bible and sermons, 'without realizing I was absorbing poetry.' When she started writing novels, the love of poetry remained, along with a desire to tell stories of the African diaspora. One of her first major successes, 'The Emperor's Babe,' is a verse novel set in Roman Britain. 'Most people think the Black history of Britain only began in the 20th century,' Evaristo said. 'I wanted to write about a Black presence in Roman Britain — because there was a Black presence in Roman Britain 1,800 years ago.' Another novel, 'Blonde Roots,' is set in an alternative historical timeline in which Africans have enslaved Europeans, and was nominated for a major science-fiction award. 'Mr Loverman,' was an attempt to move beyond cliched images of Britain's postwar Caribbean immigrants. It was recently made into a BBC television series starring Lennie James and Sharon D. Clarke. Her latest award is a one-off accolade marking the 30th anniversary of the annual Women's Prizes for English-language fiction and nonfiction. Women's Prize founder Kate Mosse said Evaristo's 'dazzling skill and imagination, and her courage to take risks and offer readers a pathway into diverse and multifarious worlds over a 40-year career made her the ideal recipient.' Evaristo, who teaches creative writing at Brunel University of London, plans to use the prize money to help other women writers through an as-yet undisclosed project. She has long been involved with projects to level the playing field for under-represented writers, and is especially proud of Complete Works, a mentoring program for poets of color that she ran for a decade. Associated Press
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Filipino Times
‘Wicked: For Good' trailer offers first look at magical finale
Universal Pictures has released the official trailer for 'Wicked: For Good,' offering audiences their first look at the highly anticipated final chapter of the 'Wicked' film series. The movie is scheduled to premiere in Philippine cinemas on November 19. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film continues the untold story of the witches of Oz. It follows the events of 2024's 'Wicked,' which became the most successful Broadway musical adaptation in cinematic history, grossing $750 million worldwide and earning 10 Academy Award nominations. Directed by Jon M. Chu, who returns after helming the first installment, 'Wicked: For Good' opens with Elphaba and Glinda estranged, facing the political and personal fallout of their choices. The film promises an emotional and visually spectacular conclusion to the journey that began on the Broadway stage and captured global audiences on screen. 'And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend,' the trailer quotes. The screenplay was written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, based on the Broadway musical's book and Gregory Maguire's bestselling novel. The musical score features work by Stephen Schwartz, with additional composition by John Powell. The first 'Wicked' film earned Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design and drew praise for its performances, musical adaptation, and visual style.
What's On
3 days ago
- What's On
Here's everything you can watch at Cinema Akil this June
Your box office watch at Cinema Akil this June… June is here, and with a new timetable of releases at Cinema Akil. Everyone's favourite independent arthouse cinema and the go-to spot for alternative watching is bringing a curation that's hot like the summer we're in right now – big, bold and bizarre films that will make you feel more deeply than you ever have, from heady trips to moody flicks and a mind-bending, mind-boggling sci-fi flick. With a side of heartache, of course. The program… Mickey 17 (May 16 – June 30) by Academy Award-winning Bong Joon Ho , follows a disposable employee sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration perishes, his body is regenerated with most of his memories intact, leading to a dangerous and complex journey of survival and discovery. (May 16 – June 30) by Academy Award-winning Bong Joon Ho follows a disposable employee sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration perishes, his body is regenerated with most of his memories intact, leading to a dangerous and complex journey of survival and discovery. Marcello Mio (June 01 – June 27) by Christophe HONORÉ follows Chiara, an actress who begins to embody her father, Marcello Mastroianni, in a playful and moving exploration of identity, memory, and legacy. (June 01 – June 27) by Christophe HONORÉ follows Chiara, an actress who begins to embody her father, Marcello Mastroianni, in a playful and moving exploration of identity, memory, and legacy. I am Still Here (May 30 – June 29) directed by Walter Salles, follows a mother who is forced to reinvent herself when her family's life is torn apart by an act of arbitrary violence amid the tightening grip of Brazil's military dictatorship in 1971. From Reel Palestine… To A Land Unknown (May 15 – June 30)which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival at the Director's Fortnight, tells the powerful story of two young men willing to risk everything for a brighter future. Trapped in the struggles of Athens, they hatch a dangerous plan to escape their grim reality, setting the stage for a tense journey of survival and hope. For the full schedule, visit @cinemaakil Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
