What an honor for Chicago to have had Herbie Hancock bring International Jazz Day 2026 to his hometown for its 15th Anniversary! International Jazz Day is an annual worldwide celebration that was established by the General Conference of UNESCO; co-created by Herbie Hancock; and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. The host-city co-chairs for this year’s historic International Jazz Day were Quintin E. Primo III, Andrew Pritzker, and Michael Reschke and it was a tremendous success that is still the talk of the globe.; particularly the All-Star Global Concert at the Lyric Opera House which was co-artistic-directed by Herbie Hancock and multi Grammy award-winning jazz artist, Kurt Elling. . .
As for assuring this milestone moment in Herbie’s life was specially commemorated with an original work-of-art, a huge Thank You goes out to Les Coney and family — Chanel and Javon Coney — for making the creation of a special award possible. The artwork which chronicles Herbie’s Chicago roots and encapsulates vital elements of his life and return home, was unveiled and presented to Herbie Hancock at the Chicago cultural Center, on behalf of his hometown, The icon said he was truly overwhelmed by how much thought and meaning the artwork contained, and that he was deeply moved. The piece titled “Face-to Face”, depicts Herbie as both a man and as a childhood version of himself who have come face-to-face. Standing beneath landmarks of the old neighborhood, the two reflect on this full-circle moment on Herbie’s journey. The artwork, a sculpture-on-canvas, was designed and created by the sculptor Debra Hand.
A huge Thank You to Quintin E. Primo III for including the presentation of the artwork as part of the Welcome Reception for International Jazz Day. Although Herbie Hancock has received every conceivable award from an Oscar, to multiple Grammy Awards to the prestigious Polar Music Prize, and many more, this award from his hometown was the perfect-touch concluding touch to a program where Herbie was also presented the Key to the City by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
A very special Thank You to Leonard E. Brown, Director of Special Projects at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, for making the presentation such a personal moment for Herbie, and for capturing the unveiling photos!
Above all:
Thank You to Herbie Hancock for passionately using his humanity, his musical mastery, and his position as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, to leverage jazz as a tool for harmonizing humanity, and also for continuing to illuminate the global impact of jazz on world culture.
Chicago is surely proud to call him our own!
