Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night Kicks off Global Celebration of Music and Culture
esperanza spalding BM '05 will Berklee Abu Dhabi's Jazz Night ahead of International Jazz Day
Courtesy of the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
Berklee alumni, students, faculty, and guest artists from around the world will come together to perform at Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night, taking place at the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center on April 29 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. GST. The program showcases a dynamic range of styles and cultural traditions from local and international musicians, and leads directly into International Jazz Day 2025 on April 30. This year’s International Jazz Day event in Abu Dhabi will feature several renowned Berklee alumni and faculty.
Headlining Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night is five-time Grammy Award–winning bassist, singer, songwriter, and composer esperanza spalding BM ’05, who will be playing a selection of songs from various albums. Other featured artists include Turkish musician Hüsnü Şenlendirici, a virtuosic clarinetist known for his distinct blend of Anatolian folk, Turkish classical music, and jazz; Lebanese composer, singer, and musician Charbel Rouhana, whose remarkable versatility as an oud player is credited with redefining the instrument; and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Mayssa Karaa BM ’12, who serves as the artistic director of Berklee Abu Dhabi.
“The Jazz Night concert speaks to the core of what jazz represents, a unifying musical language that transcends and bridges musical traditions from all over the world,” said Karaa, who will perform jazz-infused arrangements of traditional Arabic songs alongside reimagined jazz classics. “It is also a great opportunity to highlight the tremendous wealth of talent we have here at Berklee Abu Dhabi and across the region. It will be an incredible thrill for our community to welcome esperanza, Hünsü, Charbel and other international artists on the eve of International Jazz Day.”
Mayssa Karaa BM '12 will perform arrangements that weave together Western musical styles with elements of local Arabic culture.
Image courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
Joining each guest artist is the Berklee Abu Dhabi HeJAZZ ensemble, who will present original arrangements that adapt and reinterpret each performer’s unique musical repertoire. Founded by Berklee Abu Dhabi faculty member Samvel Gasparyan and former faculty member Yarub Smarait MM ’15, the ensemble features standout alumni and regional musicians that fuse big band energy with a diverse range of cultural influences from the Arab world and the improvisational essence of jazz.
"This concert reflects Berklee Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering global dialogue through music," said Gael Hedding BM ’05, director of Berklee Abu Dhabi. "By presenting artists who blend tradition and innovation, we’re honoring jazz as a living, evolving art form—and positioning Abu Dhabi at the heart of that conversation."
Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night also celebrates Abu Dhabi as the 2025 Global Host City of International Jazz Day, a global event that culminates with the All-Star Global Concert at Etihad Arena. Several Berklee alumni and faculty are among the lineup of world renowned artists, including Terri Lyne Carrington, Grammy-winning drummer and artistic director and founder of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice; Danilo Pérez, Grammy-winning pianist and artistic director and founder of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute; Linda May Han Oh, associate professor and Grammy-winning bassist and composer; and Tia Fuller, professor and Grammy-nominated saxophonist.
Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night takes place on April 29 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. GST at the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center. Tickets are available for purchase.