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'Stephanie Jordan at Sunrise'

Stephanie Jordan raises spirits as the sun rises in Congo Square at the first annual International Jazz Day. The event featured a world wide synchronized performance of Herbie Hancock's 'Watermelon Man'.


Herbie Hancock

Tom Carter

Irina Bokova

Harry Shearer

Mayor Mitch Landrieu welcomes guests to the first annual International Jazz Day.

'In November 2011, during the UNESCO General Conference, the international community proclaimed 30 April as “International Jazz Day”. This International Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact.

This important international art form is celebrated for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth for social change.' JazzDay.org

Congo Square filled quickly with New Orleans' jazz masters and jazz lovers for the first annual International Jazz Day. Although the event was staged at locations around the world, being in New Orleans, in the middle of Congo Square, at sunrise - was nothing short of magical. So much talent, so much greatness, and so much love for music generated an atmosphere that clearly made one understand the phrase, "'Only in New Orleans".

New Orleans was chosen as the inaugural host city for the newly establish annual event with continuing performances in New York and Paris

Kermit Ruffins & Dr. Michael White

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Herbie Hancock, the legendary American jazz pianist and composer, is the force behind UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, celebrated for the first time on 30 April 2012.

Stephanie Jordan greets Elis Marsalis on stage

Herbie Hancock led a world wide synchronized performance of his well-known classic 'Watermelon Man'

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Kermit Ruffins show the crowd 'what it means to be in New Orleans'

Terence Blanchard & Dr. Michael White

Actor & Music Lover, Wendell Pierce

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