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Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons and legendary Jazz musician Herbie Hancock are among the musicians and celebrities taking part in the Daniel Pearl World Music Days concert series which takes place October 1-15 around the world.

Simmons and Hancock are among the celebrities sitting on the committee for concert series, which is described as an international network of 1500 concerts being held in over 67 countries across the world.

In addition to Russell Simmons and Herbie Hancock, the Committee for 2007 includes Salman Ahmad, Theodore Bikel, Yefim Bronfman, Tania Libertad, Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta, Mark O’Connor, George Pehlivanian, Itzhak Perlman, R.E.M., A.J. Racy, Steve Reich, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Ravi Shankar, Barbra Streisand, and John Williams.

Hancock, who’s music has been sampled by numerous Hip-Hop artists throughout the years, will perform live in Japan, while Elton John will perform in Las Vegas.

The event pays tribute to Pearl, an American journalist who was kidnapped and murdered in Karachi, Pakistan in 2002.

“This is an awareness raiser, not a fundraiser. There are no financial obligations to participate,” said Ruth Pearl, Daniel’s mother and co-founder of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. “All musicians – professional and amateur – are invited to dedicate performances held from October 1st through 15th in honor of Danny’s October 10th birthday. All they need to do is register their performance at the World Music Days website and then simply say a few words from the stage or in the program in affirmation of Danny’s belief that music is the universal language that unite people of different cultures, faiths and talents.”

Hancock, John, classical violinist Ida Haendel and the late father of modern Nubian music, Hamza el Din are all featured in 30 and 60-second television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) to promote Daniel Pearl World Music Days.

The messages invite all musicians to “use the universal language of music to diminish hatred, respect differences, and reach out in friendship by dedicating performances for Harmony for Humanity.”

For more information log on: http://www.danielpearlmusicdays.org/