International Jazz Day kicks off today in Paris, France

Herbie Hancock, the Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO, announced last month the debut of International Jazz Day to be held each year on April 30.  The celebrations will kick-off today (April 27) at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France with a daylong series of jazz education programs and performances.  Tonight's concert will feature Herbie, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Marcus Miller and Hugh Masekela, among others.  Then on Monday, April 30 the events will begin with a sunrise concert in New Orleans' Congo Square, the birthplace of jazz.  The worldwide programs wrap up in New York City at the United Nations General Assembly Hall with a final concert featuring Richard Bona, Danilo Perez, Angelique Kidjo, Lang Lang, Wynton Marsalis, Esperanza Spalding and many more.  George Duke will handle the Musical Director responsibilities while Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Quincy Jones will be Co-hosts for the show.  The closing concert from New York will be streamed live via the United Nations and UNESCO websites and a post-broadcast will be availbe on United Nations Radio.