To launch the International Jazz Day 2018 celebration, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), presented a special International Jazz Day Salute to New Orleans concert recognizing the 300th anniversary of the City of New Orleans. The concert took place Sun., April 22 at 2 pm at the Orpheum Theater. This free, public event was led by iconic jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and world-renowned New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard, who performed with the E-Collective, and featured the extraordinary vocalists Patti Austin, Philip Bailey, Bilal and Ledisi, and the Preservation All-Stars with other special guests affirming the unifying power of jazz. John Beasley served as Musical Director for the event, made possible through the generous support of Toyota