Tangier shines with a global historical ceremony

The event was hosted by world-renowned actor Jeremy Irons, and brought together international artists, including Gnawa musician Abdallah El Jourde (Morocco), jazz icon Herbie Hancock, as well as Claudia Acuña (Chile), Ambrose Akinmusire, John Beasley, and Laikia Benjamin. DD Bridgewater, Melody Gardo, Jazmiya Horn, Shemekia Copeland, Kurt Elling and Marcus Miller (United States), Richard Bona (Cameroon), Moreira Chungika (Mozambique), Antonio Farao (Italy), JK Kim (Republic of Korea), Femi Kuti (Nigeria), Magnus Lindgren (Sweden), Romero Lubambo (Brazil), Yasushi Nakamura (Japan), Tarek Yamani (Lebanon) and many others, according to a statement issued by the Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute.

The Global All-Star Gala kicked off with a never-before-seen performance of “Welcome to Country” by the acclaimed Gnawa House musicians, followed by Dee Dee Bridgewater’s stunning rendition of Chick Corea’s “Spain,” which highlighted the cultural ties between the two countries. Morocco and Spain.

Jazzmeia Horn has enlisted the talents of Ambrose Akinmusire and Billy Childs for the swinging song “Free Your Mind”. For his part, Richard Bona tenderly performed his song “Esoka Bulu (Night Whisper).” TK Blue and Abdullah El Qard, the icon of Gnawa music, paid tribute to Moroccan Gnawa music and American jazz by performing “Blue Muse” by musician Randy Weston.

For their part, Melody Jardot and Philip Powell gave a wonderful performance of “This Foolish Heart Could Love You.” Femi Kuti declared there was “one people, one world” during his rousing performance on African percussion, while Curt Elling paid tribute to Wayne Shorter with his rendition of “Speak No Evil,” and Shemekia Copeland and Joe Louis Walker brought the blues to the music. Vanguard with “Nobody But You.”

World Jazz Day 2024 celebrations featured thousands of performances, masterclasses, jam sessions, educational programs, and community service and outreach initiatives in more than 190 countries, culminating in the global concert, available for free on jazzday.com, according to the same source.

Every year on April 30, World Jazz Day brings together countries and communities around the world to promote peace, intercultural dialogue, diversity and respect for human dignity.

International Jazz Day was adopted by UNESCO Member States at the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, who chairs the annual celebration with the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay.

“Jazz, as legendary American singer Nina Simone so eloquently said, is more than just music. It goes beyond musical notes. It is a way of life… a way of being, a way of thinking,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in the press release. UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock noted: “As we celebrate Jazz Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to the enduring legacy of jazz and its ability to uplift, inspire and unite us.”

The “Jazz” Day, organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Communication and the Doris Duke Foundation, in partnership with the Municipality of Tangiers, contributed to highlighting jazz music. The heritage of Tangier, as well as the cultural and artistic ties that unite Morocco, Europe and Africa.