Music News

Herbie Hancock featured during International Jazz Day Concert Webcast, April 30

By April MacIntyre Apr 30, 2012, 21:13 GMT

US singer Herbie Hancock EPA/PAUL BUCK

Herbie Hancock will be featured during the worldwide simulcast of the International Jazz Day Concert, which will be streamed today at 7 p.m. Eastern Time at unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast.

The NYTimes reports that today will see the best in jazz featured live online to honor what the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated every April 30 as a day to recognize jazz, described as a “universal music of freedom and creativity.”

Artists will be performing on Monday night at the United Nations headquarters in the same space where world leaders gather each fall for the General Assembly. Notables such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder, Wynton Marsalis and Esperanza Spalding, musicians from Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia will also be participating.

“Jazz is a great music that I feel has never been given its just due or recognition for having affected so many lives in various cultures throughout the world,” said Mr. Hancock to the NY Times. “Unesco is exactly the proper setting to do that. With these musicians from various nations, we’re really showing a vision for globalization that’s a positive one.”

The concert, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time Monday, will be streamed at unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast.