Jazz Takes Centre Stage In Chicago For 2026
The announcement came from UN culture agency (UNESCO) on Wednesday, as this year's day was being celebrated in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi.
The focus there was on 'Arabic Jazz', a tapestry of musical traditions, which included the use of classical instruments from the region such as the oud, qanun and ney.
Following the jazz synthesis which ended on a high note in the UAE, the spotlight now turns to Chicago – where many would argue the golden era of jazz began as pioneers from New Orleans headed north during the 1920s.
The midwestern city will host the renowned All-Star Global Concert, directed by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, featuring some of the world's most celebrated jazz artists.
' What better way for UNESCO to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States than by sharing its rich musical heritage with the world? ' said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO's Director-General.
Rich jazz pedigree
Chicago has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the genre for over a century. In the 1920s, musicians journeyed up the Mississippi and found in Chicago a vibrant creative hub. Legends like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Jelly Roll Morton helped define the 'Chicago style' of jazz – marked by bold solos, improvisation, big band arrangements, and the rising prominence of the saxophone.
Today, the city remains a stronghold of jazz culture, home to renowned events such as the Chicago Jazz Festival and iconic venues including the Green Mill and the Jazz Showcase, which has been a cornerstone of the scene for 75 years.
UNESCO's Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, a native of Chicago, reflected on what jazz has meant to him.
' It was in my high school auditorium in Chicago that I discovered jazz – an experience that ignited a lifelong passion,' he said. 'Jazz opened doors to creativity, self-expression, and freedom.'
Events throughout the year
In addition to the Global Concert, Chicago will host a range of events throughout 2026 to celebrate International Jazz Day, including concerts, educational programmes, discussions, and community activities.
These will be organized in collaboration with the Chicago Jazz Alliance, the Ravinia Festival, the City of Chicago, the Illinois Arts Council, the State of Illinois, and other partners.
Launched by UNESCO in 2011, International Jazz Day is observed annually on April 30 in over 190 countries. It celebrates the power of jazz as a force for peace, intercultural dialogue, and human dignity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
05-08-2025
- Scoop
Celebrating The Kiwis Shaping A Better World
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University's Distinguished Alumni Award winners for 2025 showcase how their study at the creative, scientific, and political centre of New Zealand continues to help them shape a better world. Every two years, Te Herenga Waka awards the brightest and boldest innovators, visionaries, and community connectors from within its 140,000 alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. For 2025, five exceptional alumni have been named as winners: Dai Henwood ONZM —comedian, author, and beloved entertainer. Tanea Heke MNZM —actor and Director of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, nurturing the next generation of performing arts talent. Dr Ratu Mataira —physicist and CEO of OpenStar Technologies, leading groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Dr Vincent O'Malley —acclaimed author and historian, illuminating forgotten parts of our shared history. Dr David Harland —respected diplomat, brokering peace between nations. The five winners are trailblazers and leaders whose diverse work—from inspiring performing arts students to fostering peace, from pioneering science to uniting us through laughter—exemplifies the University's core values of kaitiakitanga, manaatikanga, whanaungatanga, akoranga, and whai mātauranga. Chancellor Alan Judge says, 'Our distinguished alumni award winners reflect the high calibre of graduates we produce at Te Herenga Waka. They share a profound commitment to excellence and our mission to mobilise understanding and action for a better world. 'We are proud to call them alumni and are excited to celebrate their achievements next month,' he said. The Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at an event in Wellington on Thursday 18 September. Biographies David Harland, BA 1983 Dr David Harland is a diplomat and the executive director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), a Geneva-based foundation that specialises in the mediation of armed conflict. He previously worked for the United Nations, including in Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti and Timor Leste, and he wrote the UN Secretary-General's landmark report on the fall of Srebrenica. David serves on the UN Secretary-General's high-level advisory board on mediation. He has degrees from Harvard University, Tufts University, Beijing University and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Tanea Heke, BA 1995 Tanea Heke MNZM is an actor, director and producer of theatre, and has been Tumuaki/Director of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School since 2019. As an actor, Tanea has starred in several theatre, film and television productions over the years, including the film Cousins by Briar Grace Smith. She co-founded Hāpai Productions, a mana wahine, kaupapa Māori theatre company in 2013. She is an artist Trustee on The Arts Foundation—Te Tumu Toi and was the 2020 recipient of the Creative New Zealand Ngā Tohu Hautūtanga Auaha Toi Making a Difference Award. She was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours List 2022. Dai Henwood, BA 1999 Dai Henwood ONZM has been performing comedy for over 25 years, beginning in Wellington at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied theatre and film. Well-recognised for his appearances on 7 Days, Dai has also hosted the NZ Music Awards, Family Feud, Dancing with the Stars, and Lego Masters New Zealand. He has won numerous awards for comedy, including Best Male Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards nine times. In 2024, he published the bestselling book Life of Dai, as well as the documentary Live and Let Dai, both of which share his journey with stage four cancer. He was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours. Ratu Mataira, BSc (Hons) 2017, PhD 2022 Physicist Dr Ratu Mataira is on a mission to harness the power of the sun, right here in Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington. Ratu completed his PhD in Applied Superconductivity at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. By the end of his PhD, he had set the bar as the most prodigious student to graduate from the Robinson Research Institute, the world leader in such technologies. The 33-year-old leads OpenStar Technologies, a Wellington-based start-up building a 'levitated dipole' fusion reactor prototype. Multi-national groups have been trying to achieve this same goal for decades, with massive teams and enormous budgets. Vincent O'Malley, PhD 2004 Dr Vincent O'Malley FRHistS FRSNZ is an award-winning Wellington writer and historian who has authored many bestselling and acclaimed works on Aotearoa New Zealand history, including The Great War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800-2000 (2016) and The New Zealand Wars/Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa (2019). His book Voices from the New Zealand Wars/He Reo nō ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa won the general non-fiction prize at the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. In the same year, he received the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in Non-Fiction. In 2023, he was awarded the Humanities Aronui Medal by the Royal Society Te Apārangi and was a semi-finalist for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.
Scoop
05-08-2025
- Scoop
Celebrating The Kiwis Shaping A Better World
Press Release – Victoria University of Wellington Every two years, Te Herenga Waka awards the brightest and boldest innovators, visionaries, and community connectors from within its 140,000 alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University's Distinguished Alumni Award winners for 2025 showcase how their study at the creative, scientific, and political centre of New Zealand continues to help them shape a better world. Every two years, Te Herenga Waka awards the brightest and boldest innovators, visionaries, and community connectors from within its 140,000 alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. For 2025, five exceptional alumni have been named as winners: Dai Henwood ONZM —comedian, author, and beloved entertainer. Tanea Heke MNZM —actor and Director of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, nurturing the next generation of performing arts talent. Dr Ratu Mataira —physicist and CEO of OpenStar Technologies, leading groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Dr Vincent O'Malley —acclaimed author and historian, illuminating forgotten parts of our shared history. Dr David Harland —respected diplomat, brokering peace between nations. The five winners are trailblazers and leaders whose diverse work—from inspiring performing arts students to fostering peace, from pioneering science to uniting us through laughter—exemplifies the University's core values of kaitiakitanga, manaatikanga, whanaungatanga, akoranga, and whai mātauranga. Chancellor Alan Judge says, 'Our distinguished alumni award winners reflect the high calibre of graduates we produce at Te Herenga Waka. They share a profound commitment to excellence and our mission to mobilise understanding and action for a better world. 'We are proud to call them alumni and are excited to celebrate their achievements next month,' he said. The Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at an event in Wellington on Thursday 18 September. Biographies David Harland, BA 1983 Dr David Harland is a diplomat and the executive director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), a Geneva-based foundation that specialises in the mediation of armed conflict. He previously worked for the United Nations, including in Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti and Timor Leste, and he wrote the UN Secretary-General's landmark report on the fall of Srebrenica. David serves on the UN Secretary-General's high-level advisory board on mediation. He has degrees from Harvard University, Tufts University, Beijing University and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Tanea Heke, BA 1995 Tanea Heke MNZM is an actor, director and producer of theatre, and has been Tumuaki/Director of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School since 2019. As an actor, Tanea has starred in several theatre, film and television productions over the years, including the film Cousins by Briar Grace Smith. She co-founded Hāpai Productions, a mana wahine, kaupapa Māori theatre company in 2013. She is an artist Trustee on The Arts Foundation—Te Tumu Toi and was the 2020 recipient of the Creative New Zealand Ngā Tohu Hautūtanga Auaha Toi Making a Difference Award. She was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours List 2022. Dai Henwood, BA 1999 Dai Henwood ONZM has been performing comedy for over 25 years, beginning in Wellington at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied theatre and film. Well-recognised for his appearances on 7 Days, Dai has also hosted the NZ Music Awards, Family Feud, Dancing with the Stars, and Lego Masters New Zealand. He has won numerous awards for comedy, including Best Male Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards nine times. In 2024, he published the bestselling book Life of Dai, as well as the documentary Live and Let Dai, both of which share his journey with stage four cancer. He was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours. Ratu Mataira, BSc (Hons) 2017, PhD 2022 Physicist Dr Ratu Mataira is on a mission to harness the power of the sun, right here in Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington. Ratu completed his PhD in Applied Superconductivity at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. By the end of his PhD, he had set the bar as the most prodigious student to graduate from the Robinson Research Institute, the world leader in such technologies. The 33-year-old leads OpenStar Technologies, a Wellington-based start-up building a 'levitated dipole' fusion reactor prototype. Multi-national groups have been trying to achieve this same goal for decades, with massive teams and enormous budgets. Vincent O'Malley, PhD 2004 Dr Vincent O'Malley FRHistS FRSNZ is an award-winning Wellington writer and historian who has authored many bestselling and acclaimed works on Aotearoa New Zealand history, including The Great War for New Zealand: Waikato 1800-2000 (2016) and The New Zealand Wars/Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa (2019). His book Voices from the New Zealand Wars/He Reo nō ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa won the general non-fiction prize at the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. In the same year, he received the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in Non-Fiction. In 2023, he was awarded the Humanities Aronui Medal by the Royal Society Te Apārangi and was a semi-finalist for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Scoop
Smurf Your Voice: Global Campaign Urges Everyone To Speak Up For A Better Future
12 July 2025 Launched in June, the eight-week digital campaign draws on the enduring popularity of the beloved Smurfs to encourage young people – along with their parents and caregivers – to raise their voices on issues that matter to them. The initiative is part of the UN's ActNow effort for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to empower individuals, especially children, to speak out and take action in their communities. Voices for change Featuring Rihanna, Hannah Waddingham, Billie Lourd and Amy Sedaris – who voice various characters in an upcoming Smurfs film – the campaign includes vibrant public service announcements (PSAs) and colourful social media cards. ' The Smurfs know the importance of speaking up and speaking out because everyone, every child, has the right to be heard,' said Hannah Waddingham, who voices Jezebeth in the movie. ' The power to create change is already inside you. You just have to act,' added Billie Lourd (Worry Smurf). Amy Sedaris (Jaunty) summed it up simply: ' It's easy if you follow the Smurfs' blueprint. Small actions can add up to make a big difference. ' The videos, produced in multiple formats, direct viewers to a dedicated ' Speak Up with the Smurfs ' section on the ActNow platform, which offers child-friendly tools and resources. Join the Smurfs and speak up for a better world! | UN ActNow and UNICEF Smurfing it up To smurf things up a bit – campaign invites everyone to 'smurf their voice' and help smurf a brighter future, one action at a time. Whether you're five or fifty-five, there's always a way to smurf positive change. In Smurf-speak, 'smurf' can mean just about anything – noun, verb, or adjective – but the message here is clear: smurf your voice, smurf your rights, smurf the future. UNICEF 's involvement centres on ensuring the message reaches children everywhere – and that they are equipped to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives. Global rollout The campaign is being promoted across Paramount Global's platforms – including CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, streaming services like Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and the free-to-air network Net 10 in Australia. Smurf-themed content will also light up Times Square in New York City and appear in markets across Europe, Latin America and Asia. Content is available in over a dozen languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish, Hindi, Kiswahili, and Japanese, to ensure broad accessibility. About the Smurfs First introduced in 1958, the Smurfs are small blue fictional characters known for their teamwork, mischief, and unique way of speaking. Generations of children (like this author and his little ones) have followed their adventures, and their continued appeal has made them ideal messengers for values like cooperation, kindness and now, global citizenship.
