WASHINGTON: International Jazz Day is coming to the White House.

President Barack Obama plans to host a blockbuster concert on April 29 featuring such artists as Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau, Sting, Herbie Hancock and many others.

The show is to be televised by ABC the following day, the fifth anniversary of International Jazz Day.

UNESCO and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz are the sponsors of International Jazz Day, a worldwide celebration of jazz music.

Hancock is a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. He tells The Associated Press that jazz is a musical language understood worldwide.

He says jazz helps bring down barriers and helps bring people together.