Chicago Named Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2026
Chicago has been officially designated as the global host for the 15th anniversary of International Jazz Day in 2026. The Windy City will become the epicenter of the jazz world from April 1 through May 2, featuring an expansive schedule of live performances, educational seminars, and grassroots community programs.
The celebration’s crown jewel, the All-Star Global Concert, is scheduled for April 30, 2026. This marquee event will be broadcast worldwide from the historic Lyric Opera of Chicago. Under the baton of musical director John Beasley, the stage will host more than 40 world-class performers, including Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jacob Collier, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Lizz Wright, and Jahari Stampley. Leading the creative vision for the evening are co-artistic directors Herbie Hancock and fellow Chicagoan Kurt Elling.
This 2026 edition marks a significant homecoming for the event, returning to American soil for the first time in a decade. The last U.S.-based celebration took place in 2016 at the White House, hosted by President Barack Obama and Chicago native Michelle Obama. The 2025 global festivities are set to take place in Abu Dhabi.
“I am thrilled that my hometown of Chicago will serve as the host for International Jazz Day 2026,” stated Herbie Hancock. “It was in a Chicago high school auditorium that my journey with jazz began—a moment that ignited a lifelong devotion to this art form. Jazz represents a gateway to creative freedom and self-expression, and I hope this celebration inspires the next generation just as I was inspired during my formative years.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker hailed the announcement, noting that Illinois has long served as a sanctuary for jazz innovation. He described the genre as the “cultural heartbeat” of the nation, emphasizing Chicago’s role in transforming the musical landscape. Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed this pride, pointing out that since the era of the Great Migration, jazz has been a fundamental thread in the city’s identity and spirit.
Chicago’s storied jazz lineage includes icons such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Goodman, Eddie Harris, and Sun Ra. This rich heritage continues to influence the city’s contemporary scene, which Mayor Johnson described as a testament to the “enduring innovation” of local musicians.
International Jazz Day is presented by UNESCO in partnership with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. The 2026 host city efforts are being led by co-chairs Quintin Primo III and Michael Reschke, with local events curated by the Chicago Jazz Alliance. For more information on the upcoming festivities, visit the official Chicago Jazz Day website.
