Chicago will host UNESCO International Jazz celebration
Chicago’s legendary jazz scene is preparing to shine on the world’s stage in April, when the city hosts the UNESCO International Jazz Day 2026 for the first time
Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson joined other elected officials on Tuesday to announce the lineup, an announcement that also featured music legends Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling.
The global event will kick off April 1 with weeks of educational programming, master classes and special performances to the city. The month will culminate in the All-Star Global Concert on April 30 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House. The concert will feature more than 40 international artists, including Hancock, Elling, Dianne Reeves, Ernest Dawkins, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Terence Blanchard.
Most events will be free and open to the public, with online registration opening on March 1 at chicagojazzalliance.org.
“Chicago's always been a city of innovation, creativity, and most of all, we just bring joy to the world. The evolution of jazz music is proof positive of our city's unique spirit, what I like to refer to as the soul of Chicago,” Johnson said. “We are ready to showcase that spirit and our soul with the world as we host the International Jazz Day of 2026.”
Hancock, the legendary jazz pianist and composer from Chicago, helped found International Jazz Day and chairs the event, the world's largest celebration of the genre. This year’s iteration will highlight Chicago's contributions to jazz, blues and global music. The event aligns with both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary jazz performer Miles Davis, who was born and raised in Illinois.
“Throughout our history, Chicago and Illinois have been hubs of jazz music. From Chicago legends like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole and Cab Calloway to Miles Davis in East St Louis, and of course, the great Herbie Hancock, jazz runs deep around here,” said Pritzker. “In 100 days, we're going to be putting that legacy on display to the world as we welcome visitors far and wide for this historic event on April 30.”
Additional confirmed artists include Melissa Aldana, John Beasley, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, James Carter, Jacob Collier, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, James Genus, Robert Glasper, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Watson and Lizz Wright. Additional confirmed Chicago performers include Bobby Broom, Marquis Hill, Joel Ross and Jahari Stampley.
Hancock and Elling will serve as co-artistic directors for the April 30 concert. Hancock joined Tuesday’s announcement via video from Los Angeles, where he was set to appear later in the day at a celebration for the late architect Frank Gehry.
“It was at my high school, Hyde Park Academy, that I first discovered jazz. I was sitting in an auditorium watching a talent show, and something clicked for me. That moment changed my life,” Hancock said. “Jazz opened doors for me to creativity, to self expression and to freedom, and that is exactly why we celebrate International Jazz Day. My hope is that International Jazz Day 2026 will inspire young artists and audiences the same way the city inspired me.”
Pritzker credited concerts and music festivals with attracting visitors to the state, saying that they “are exactly the kind of world-class experiences that are driving Illinois record breaking tourism.”
“And thanks to major events like the International Jazz day, those numbers are going to continue to grow,” Pritzker said.
The event also draws attention from music fans around the world, via streaming. Last year, more than 250 million people watched the concert, according to a representative from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.
Since its start in 2011, International Jazz Day has previously been held in places like Paris, Havana and Sydney.
Courtney Kueppers is an arts and culture reporter at WBEZ.