Paris named host city for International Jazz Day 2015

Event has added significance after terrorist attacks.

NEW YORK — Jazz musicians from around the world will gather this April in Paris for International Jazz Day, an event UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock hopes will bring a “positive message” to a city reeling from last month’s terrorist attacks.

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

Hancock said organizers initially considered Paris as the host city to celebrate its legendary place in jazz history, dating back nearly a century to World War I when African-American troops brought the music to France.

But the deadly January attacks on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish food market have given this year’s event added significance, the jazz pianist said.

“Jazz has been a bridge for bringing people together,” Hancock said. “It’s not sectarian and it’s not just for people of a particular ethnic group. It’s for human beings. We need to recognize that which makes us similar, while at the same time honoring that which makes us different.”

Bokova said the event was also intended to high- light of yearlong observances of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

She said that in these turbulent times, the AllStar Global Concert at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, to be offered on live stream around the world, offers a vital message.

“Jazz is not simply music. Jazz is about civil rights, human dignity and dialogue among cultures,” Bokova said. “Jazz emphasizes the importance of creativity and freedom of expression.”

Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Al Jarreau and Marcus Miller will be among the jazz stars performing at the concert climaxing Jazz Day celebrations.