International Jazz Day Weekend to Launch with Special Broadcast on PBS

The International Jazz Day 2018 weekend gets off to a strong start on April 27 at 10 pm / 9 pm central with a special PBS broadcast of “International Jazz Day from Cuba.” The program features performances by more than 50 world-renowned artists, including Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, Chucho Valdés, Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Miller, Kenny Garrett, College Program Class of 2009 graduate Ambrose Akinmusire, Antonio Sánchez, 2009 Bass Competition Winner Ben Williams, Roberto Fonseca, Regina Carter, Music Director John Beasley and many more.

The concert, which marked the culmination of International Jazz Day 2017 in Havana, Cuba, highlights one of the largest ever assemblages of Cuban and American artists on a single stage. The program’s many historic moments include a first-time collaboration between bassist Esperanza Spalding and Cuban music legend Bobby Carcassés, and stellar emceeing from host Will Smith and music legend Quincy Jones.

PBS will air “International Jazz Day from Cuba” as part of the kickoff to the International Jazz Day 2018 weekend, with thousands of partners in more than 190 countries worldwide organizing parallel events in their own communities. Other highlights from the weekend include the highly anticipated All-Star Global Concert from the historic Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, and the global webcast of the “International Jazz Day Salute to New Orleans,” both on April 30. The Saint Petersburg webcast will begin at 4 pm ET, with the New Orleans show being released immediately following, at 7 pm ET.

Click here to watch the show online.

Visit jazzday.com for more free content, and to find out more about how the world celebrates International Jazz Day.