Jazz legend Herbie Hancock headlines final day of international jazz festival in Tangiers

Jazz legend Herbie Hancock performed this week at the conclusion of a four-day jazz festival in Tangiers, Morocco, which launched over a decade ago. In an interview with AFP, Hancock enthused that jazz is all about unity and diversity. "It's all about teamwork and making joy and sharing that with the people who are listening," Hancock said. 

Tangiers, a historical hub for jazz greats, hosted musicians from around the world for UNESCO's International Jazz Day which ran from Saturday through Tuesday. The festival featured diverse performances and discussions, culminating in an "All-Star Global Concert" with luminaries like Marcus Miller and Dee Dee Bridgewater. 

The event also celebrated Morocco's rich musical heritage, particularly gnawa, rooted in African rituals and Sufi traditions and recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance. Tuesday's concert was launched by musician and healer Abdellah El Gourd, a gnawa master.

Hancock said the rhythm of gnawa "brought tears" to his eyes. "It has like a magical influence on your being," he added. 

When asked to elaborate on the meaning of jazz, Hancock concluded that jazz serves as a platform for embracing and promoting cultural plurality.