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.

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.

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

Presented by: Ravina Festival and Uniting Voices Chicago

This panel gathers thought leaders, cultural workers and artists to further imagine ways to cultivate a more inclusive, more accessible and more sustainable future for the art form.

Presented by: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

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

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

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.

The Magnificent Mile will debut the inaugural Tulips & Trumpets: A Mile Full of Jazz this April. The program pairs the district’s iconic tulip displays with live jazz performances, highlighting Chicago’s enduring role in the global jazz tradition.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

 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.

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.

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

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.

Presented by: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Masterclass with Emmet Cohen. More information coming soon.

Presented by: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

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

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

A free community watch party to enjoy the Global Concert.

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’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

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