In 2026, Chicago will host International Jazz Day’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, coinciding with the United States’ 250th Anniversary, making it a once-in-a-generation cultural milestone.

The celebrations will showcase Chicago’s legacy and leadership in the world of jazz — past, present, and future — while advancing our mission to elevate the music, support our artists, and connect communities through the power of jazz.

“I’m excited that Chicago, my hometown, is hosting International Jazz Day 2026. It was in my Chicago high school auditorium that I discovered jazz, an event that sparked a lifelong passion and commitment to this powerful art form. Jazz opened doors to creativity, self-expression and freedom.”
HERBIE HANCOCK

Featured Events

Chicago Jazz Alliance is excited to partner with jazz musicians, arts organizations, music educators, venues, and neighbors across Chicago, along with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO, to celebrate the rich history and community of Chicago jazz, and to introduce new audiences to the power of jazz leading up to the globally broadcast All-Star Global Concert on April 30, 2026.

See below for a selection of featured events. All listed events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Events are subject to change without notice.

Ticketing information for the All-Star Global Concert will be available at a later time.

Events

Jazz in the Chi Festival (School Groups ONLY)

Apr 25

The Jazz in the Chi Festival, presented by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, is an educational event for high school, middle school, and elementary school jazz ensembles.

Presented by: Jazz Institute of Chicago, featuring DePaul University

At the Forum - The Bronzeville Roots of Chicago Jazz

Apr 25

The event positions Forum Café and The Forum as cultural anchors in Bronzeville’s next chapter while honoring the neighborhood’s role in shaping jazz history.

Apr 25

This Evening Concert will bring our Jazz in the Chi educational festival to a conclusion with performances by special guest artists. Open to participants of the festival and members of the jazz community.

Presented by: Jazz Institute of Chicago

Our Jazz Life: A Celebration of the History of Jazz Radio in Chicago

Apr 26

In a Town Hall format, the assembled panel discussions will focus on the eras/decades of jazz radio in Chicago, featuring audio recordings, guest testimonials, photos, and more.

Chicago’s Women in Jazz: The Sound of the City

Apr 26

This collaboration between the Chicago Jazz Alliance and Tammy McCann Presents shifts the spotlight from traditional standards to the vibrant, living legacy of female jazz musicians in Chicago.

Haunts & Heroes, The Legacy and Foundation of Chicago Jazz - a photographic tribute

Apr 26

A mobile exhibition of Chicago Jazz photography.

Celebrating IJD with John Clayton and Steve Wilson

Apr 26

Celebrating International Jazz Day with John Clayton and Steve Wilson, featuring alumni from Ravinia's Steans Institute and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

Presented by: Ravinia’s Steans Institute

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic presents ‘Sketches of Spain: Revisited’

Apr 27

The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic celebrates Miles Davis’ centennial birthday with a reworking of the Miles Davis - Gil Evans classic Sketches in Spain by composer and trumpeter Orbert Davis.

Presented by: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic presents ‘Sketches of Spain: Revisited’ | Concert & Panel Discussion

Apr 27

The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic celebrates Miles Davis’ centennial birthday with a reworking of the Miles Davis - Gil Evans classic Sketches in Spain by composer and trumpeter Orbert Davis.

Presented by: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

WDCB Celebrates IJD with Robert Irving III

Apr 27

WDCB celebrates International Jazz Day with a live broadcast interview and intimate performance by Robert Irving III Trio.

Presented by: 90.9 FM, WDCB

BİRDMAN LIVE, performed by Antonio Sánchez

Apr 27

Celebrate the 12th anniversary of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) with Grammy-winning composer Antonio Sánchez.

The original score for Birdman consists entirely of solo jazz percussion written and performed by Sánchez.

Apr 27

Celebrate International Jazz Day with an evening exploring Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene through the Jazz Club Tour presented by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.

IJD School Matinee Performance in the Austin Community featuring the Ravinia Jazz Scholars and Uniting Voices Chicago

Apr 28

Featuring the Ravinia Jazz Scholars and Uniting Voices Chicago. Open to participating Chicago Public Schools.

Presented by: Ravina Festival and Uniting Voices Chicago

Apr 28

Celebrating Jazz in Chicago and International Jazz Day: Neighborhood Jazz Night on Chicago’s South and West Sides.

Apr 28

Featuring the Ravinia Jazz Scholars and Uniting Voices Chicago. Open to participating Chicago Public Schools.

Presented by: Ravina Festival and Uniting Voices Chicago

Jazz, Film, and the Improvisational Architecture of Storytelling

Apr 29

In this panel, acclaimed composers and film scorers Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and Kris Bowers join renowned filmmakers for a wide-ranging conversation on jazz and the language of cinema.

Media Welcome Meetup hosted by Jazz Journalists Association

Apr 29

The Jazz Journalists Association, a non-profit professional organization, welcomes colleagues reporting on International Jazz Day, especially those visiting Chicago from out-of-town

International Jazz Day 2026 All-Star Global Concert

Apr 30

With artistic direction by Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling, the 15th Anniversary All-Star Global Concert is the centerpiece of International Jazz Day 2026 in Chicago, featuring a record number of acclaimed artists from around the world.

Presented by: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO

Apr 30

A free community watch party to enjoy the Global Concert.

Isaiah Collier Logan Center School Matinee

May 1

Isaiah Collier’s sound is a dynamic flurry of metaphors. He plays his influences, which he describes as a “sonic timemachine; you can’t really put a time or destination on it.”

Presented by: Logan Center for the Arts and UChicago Presents

Isaiah Collier: ‘In Tribute to the Classics of John Coltrane’

May 1

Isaiah Collier’s saxophone sound is both fierce and deeply reflective—rooted in tradition yet stretching toward the future. Named Chicago Tribune’s Jazz Artist of the Year and a New York Times Top Ten honoree, his musicianship carries a wisdom beyond his years.

Presented by:UChicago Presents

May 1

Curated by Mike Reed, Owner and Director, Chicago’s Constellation and Hungry Brain, the evening includes performances of: The Magic Box: Music inspired by the Chicago bassist Fred Hopkins Drummer-composer Mike Reed explores the legacy of Chicago bassist and AACM member Fred Hopkins with new works, including a commission by Henry Threadgill.

Presented by: Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Neighborhood Jazz Night

Celebrating Jazz in Chicago and International Jazz Day: Neighborhood Jazz Night on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Events are subject to change without notice.

Events

Apr 28

Syncopated Spirits: A Celebration in Blue Notes invites the community into an evening of soulful jazz, cultural memory, and vibrant expression.

A South Side Celebration of Chicago Jazz

Apr 28

The South Side Jazz Coalition will present a panel discussion and talkback on the evolution of jazz in Chicago, followed by a performance by an up-and-coming jazz artist and concluding with one of Chicago's favorite jazz artists.

Apr 28

The Young Masters are the opening act 5:30 pm, Second Act at 6:30 pm - World Premiere: “Fannie Lou Hamer: No One Could Contain Her” Composed by Ernest Dawkins.

An evening of Jazz at the Paris in Black exhibit at the DuSable Museum

Apr 28

Paris in Black traces the profound journeys of Black artists, writers, performers, and intellectuals who found freedom, inspiration, and transformation in the liberating cultural and social environment of Paris.

Chicago to the World: A Jazz Celebration

Apr 28

Chicago West Community Music Center to Trace City’s Jazz Legacy and Global Impact at 2026 International Day of Jazz Celebration

AACM Great Black Music Ensemble Presents: A Power Stronger Than Itself

Apr 28

AACM plays music of the ancestors honoring Muhal Richard Abrams, Jodie Christian, Steve McCall and Kelan Phil Cohran.

Apr 28

JazzCity is a free concert series initiated in 1997 by the Jazz Institute of Chicago in collaboration with the Chicago Park District to bring people together to listen to Chicago’s top jazz musicians.

Apr 28

Just for a Thrill is a premier jazz showcase that brings together a stellar lineup of top-tier artists to explore the full spectrum of jazz, from timeless standards to innovative new sounds.

Geof Bradfield Sextet: Spirit of Our Ancestors - The Music of Randy Weston and Melba Liston, A Centenary Celebration

Apr 28

As a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Randy Weston and Melba Liston's birth, Geof Bradfield and his Sextet will explore depth and breadth of their collaboration of 40 years.

BandWidth Chicago and CJA Partnership with the Marques Carroll Quintet

Apr 28

BandWith Chicago and Chicago Jesuit Academy are proud to collaborate in presenting a special Jazz education masterclass and performance for students on the West Side of Chicago — offered free of charge to ensure broad community access.

Apr 28

This special performance invites audiences to experience premier live jazz in an intimate neighborhood setting with extraordinary ambiance, on Chicago’s South Side.

Special Thanks

If you would like to learn more about how to support, please email info@chicagojazzalliance.org.

Partners

Participating organizations and partners include the following, among many others with additional announcements to come.

If you are interested in hosting an IJD Global Concert Watch-Party; have a jazz event happening in April that you would like included in our Chicago Highlight jazz event listing; or would like to learn more about how to be involved, please email info@chicagojazzalliance.org

Get Involved

Participating in International Jazz Day is easy: there are no membership fees, no application and no prerequisites for joining the International Jazz Day family.

The only requirement is that you be passionate about celebrating jazz and its positive values, and ready to bring that enthusiasm to your community through independently organized events of any size!

Listen Up

Listen to your favorite jazz record and share your picks online and mention us (@IntlJazzDay).

Need ideas? We put together a handy playlist on Spotify featuring tons of great artists and tracks.

“Today is an incredible celebration of an art form that helped shape America’s cultural heartbeat and found one of its greatest homes here in ChicagoThroughout our history, Illinois has been a hub of jazz music where many of the greats performed, made their names, and transformed the genre. Jazz is part of the history and cultural lifeblood of Chicago, and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate the genre’s roots and enduring legacy during International Jazz Day.”

- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
“Chicago's vibrant jazz legacy runs deep. Since the earliest days of the Great Migration, jazz has been interwoven with our city's cultural fabric and identity. Hosting International Jazz Day in 2026 here in Chicago is a tremendous honor and a powerful testament to the enduring spirit and innovation of our musicians and our passionate jazz community.”

- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
“I’m honored that UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute have chosen Chicago as the host city for IJD 2026. Chicago’s rich history in Jazz and Blues makes it the perfect place to celebrate the music and highlight the city’s ongoing educational and world-class performances. We look forward to welcoming the whole world home to our Sweet Home, Chicago!”

- Kurt Elling