Musicians from around the world gathered in Cuba to celebrate jazz music as part of International Jazz Day, an annual music festival hosted by the UNESCO. The event culminated in an all-star concert streamed online.

CGTN’s Michael Voss reports.

There is no shortage of talented Cuban jazz musicians. Just like Salsa and Rumba, it’s in their blood, which is why the United Nations is holding this year’s International Jazz Day in Havana.

Helping launch the program were two multi-Grammy award winning jazz pianists, American Herbie Hancock and Cuba’s Chucho Valdes.

Every year the event invites a young musician to feature at the festival. This year it is a 17-year-old Chinese pianist, A Bu.

But there is more to the event than just one concert.

 
Cuba parlayed the day into a week-long celebration of music.

Venues all over the capital hosted jazz concerts and jam sessions featuring local and visiting bands.

Some of the guest musicians also visited schools and colleges holding workshops for young Cubans.