Chicago Set to Host International Jazz Day 2026 With Global Concert, Neighborhood Events, and All-Star Lineup
CHICAGO — Chicago will become the global center of jazz this spring as the city hosts the 15th Annual International Jazz Day, a month-long celebration of performances, education, and community programming culminating in a globally broadcast All-Star Concert at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on April 30, 2026.
The announcement was made Tuesday at the Chicago Cultural Center alongside city and state leaders and representatives from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, which co-organizes the event with UNESCO.
Herbie Hancock Brings Jazz Day Home
Jazz legend Herbie Hancock, who conceived International Jazz Day and helped secure its approval by the United Nations in 2011, will serve as co-artistic director of the 2026 celebration alongside Chicago jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.
Hancock, now 85, appeared via prerecorded video, reflecting on discovering jazz as a student at Hyde Park Academy High School, an experience he credits with shaping his life and career.
“Jazz opened doors for me to creativity, to self-expression, and to freedom,” Hancock said. “That is exactly why we celebrate International Jazz Day.”
All-Star Performers Announced for Global Concert
Organizers revealed a partial lineup of internationally renowned artists scheduled to perform during Jazz Day events this spring, including:
- Dee Dee Bridgewater
- Gregory Porter
- Dianne Reeves
- Terrence Blanchard
- Jacob Collier
- Christian McBride
- Terri Lyne Carrington
Chicago-connected artists featured include Renée Fleming, Jahari Stampley, Bobby Broom, Lizz Wright, Marquis Hill, and Joel Ross.
Organizers also hinted at several surprise guest appearances.
Neighborhood Jazz and Education Take Center Stage
Beyond the headline concert, International Jazz Day 2026 will feature citywide programming throughout April, with an emphasis on education, youth outreach, and neighborhood engagement.
Planned events include:
- Jazz club tours hosted by the Jazz Institute of Chicago on April 27
- Neighborhood Jazz Night on April 28, bringing nine performances to South and West Side venues
- A special tribute concert at Hyde Park Academy High School on April 29, honoring Hancock’s early connection to jazz
- Post-concert performances on May 1 and May 2 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago’s Jazz Legacy on the World Stage
State and city leaders emphasized Chicago’s deep connection to jazz history during the announcement. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson both highlighted Chicago’s influence on the genre, citing artists such as Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Ramsey Lewis.
“All eyes will shine here on the city of Chicago,” said institute president Tom Carter, who expects the 2026 edition to be the largest in Jazz Day history.
A Truly Global Moment for Jazz
International Jazz Day is celebrated annually in more than 190 countries, with past host cities including Paris, Havana, Istanbul, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi. The All-Star Global Concert is always held on April 30 and has historically drawn hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
Chicago was selected as the 2026 host city last spring, marking the first time the event has returned to the United States since Washington, D.C., hosted in 2016.
As Chicago prepares to welcome musicians and audiences from around the world, International Jazz Day 2026 is shaping up to be one of the city’s most significant music events of the decade. For ongoing updates, artist announcements, and complete scheduling details, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com for the latest coverage of Chicago’s live music and jazz scene.