First Int’l Jazz Day Concert to Air on PBS April 10

PBS will broadcast a one-hour TV special of the first annual International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert on April 10 at 10:00 p.m. EST. The concert, which took place in 2012, features performances by more than 40 artists who gathered at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City.

The concert included a collaboration with Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding, plus Michael Douglas introducing South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Other highlights include a performance by Tony Bennett, a duet with Herbie Hancock and pianist Lang Lang and a performance featuring Wynton Marsalis with pianist Danilo Pérez. Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette perform Miles Davis’ “Milestones” and Dee Dee Bridgewater joins Shankar Mahadevan, Jimmy Heath, George Duke, Christian McBride and Zakir Hussain in Duke Ellington’s “Cottontail.”

Chaka Khan joins saxophonist Joe Lovano for “Them There Eyes” and Angelique Kidjo performs “Afrika.” Actor Morgan Freeman introduces a blues segment featuring Robert Cray, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. The evening culminates with the entire all-star cast performing Stevie Wonder’s “As.”

The PBS special will air in April as part of Jazz Appreciation Month and will raise awareness of the fourth annual International Jazz Day celebration, taking place on all continents on April 30. This year, Paris, France will serve as International Jazz Day Global Host City. The concert will be streamed to audiences around the world.