Chicago natives Herbie Hancock and Kurt Elling will serve as Co-Artistic Directors of the Global Concert. Elling, a multi Grammy-winning jazz singer and Chicago native currently starring in the Broadway production of “Hadestown,” joins Hancock in shaping a program expected to be viewed by hundreds of millions worldwide via YouTube, UN TV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook and other platforms.

Presented by: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and UNESCO

Serving as the centerpiece of the worldwide celebration, the 15th Annual International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert brings together an extraordinary lineup of more than 40 acclaimed artists from across the globe, reflecting jazz’s far-reaching influence across genres and cultures. Led by Herbie Hancock and co-artistic director Kurt Elling, the concert features acclaimed international performers alongside Chicago artists, underscoring the city’s role as a global jazz capital. Broadcast live worldwide from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the concert forms part of the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities—celebrating jazz as a uniquely American art form and a gift to the world, while advancing the mission of International Jazz Day on its 15th anniversary.

Confirmed artists include Melissa Aldana, John Beasley (Musical Director), Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Till Brönner, Terri Lyne Carrington, James Carter, Jacob Collier, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, James Genus, Robert Glasper, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Watson, and Lizz Wright, among many others, including Chicagoans Bobby Broom, Ernest Dawkins, Kurt Elling, Herbie Hancock, Marquis Hill, Joel Ross and Jahari Stampley.

Additional artist announcements to come.