Paris named host city for International Jazz Day 2015

FILE --In this Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 file photo, jazz musician Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock, performs as part of Unesco Headquarters' in Paris Live Sets', during a ceremonial launch of the World Heritage Convention's 40th anniversary year. Jazz musicians from around the world will gather in April 2015 in Paris for International Jazz Day, an event UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Hancock hopes will bring an uplifting "positive message" to a city still reeling from last month's terrorist attacks. Hancock and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova announced Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, that Paris had been selected to be the global host city for the fourth annual International Jazz Day on April 30. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, File)

By Associated Press February 25, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Jazz musicians from around the world will gather this April in Paris for International Jazz Day.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock hopes the event will bring an uplifting “positive message” to a city still reeling from last month’s terrorist attacks.

Hancock and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova announced Wednesday that Paris has been selected to be the global host city for the fourth annual International Jazz Day on April 30.

They say Paris was chosen because of its nearly century-old jazz tradition. The event is also intended to be a highlight of observances of UNESCO’s 70th anniversary.

The All-Star Global Concert at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters climaxing the day’s events will feature such jazz stars as Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Hugh Masekela and Igor Butman.