Chicago Named Host of 2026 International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert

In a momentous celebration of jazz’s enduring legacy, Chicago has been named the host city for the 2026 International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert, marking the 15th anniversary of this globally recognized event.

Jazz has deep roots in Chicago. At the turn of the 20th century, musicians from New Orleans brought the sound of jazz north during the Great Migration, igniting a vibrant cultural movement. Chicago quickly became a hub for innovation in jazz, with artists like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and later, Nat “King” Cole shaping a sound that would captivate the world. This thriving scene laid the foundation for the legendary Chicago jazz tradition that continues today.

The 2026 celebration will be led by none other than Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and musical visionary. Born in Chicago in 1940, Hancock was a child prodigy who performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11 and found his jazz voice during his high school years, influenced by greats like Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. Over the decades, he has pushed musical boundaries, earning 14 Grammy® Awards and transforming jazz through his work in funk, fusion, and beyond.

International Jazz Day is more than a concert—it’s a global call to unity, creativity, and cultural dialogue through music. Bringing it home to Chicago for its milestone year is a tribute not just to Herbie Hancock, but to the city that helped give birth to one of the world’s greatest art forms.

Stay tuned as Chicago prepares to welcome the world in 2026 with a celebration of jazz that honors the past, lives in the present, and looks boldly to the future.

For more information: Click Here