Hancock launches 1st International Jazz Day

(CBS News) Music legend Herbie Hancock is celebrating the first International Jazz Day.

Hancock, a huge influence on jazz and R&B over the last 50 years, helped organize the event. The Oscar winner and 14-time Grammy winner is now a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. UNESCO is a partner for the event.

From the New Orleans celebration Monday, Hancock told "CBS This Morning," "Jazz has been actually (bringing people together) since the early beginnings right here in Congo Square in New Orleans. And it will continue into the future."

He added, "I think it's about time, you know, that finally, formally, jazz is being recognized and is being established with the International Jazz Day. It's really where jazz has belonged for a long time. Finally this dream has come true."

For more with Hancock, watch the video in the player above.