Recently in Monterey Jazz Festival Category

My annual pilgrimage to the Monterey Jazz Festival started off a little different. I had stopped at a friend's house to pickup my digital recorder. I got back in my car and it would not start...dead! I called AAA and they came out and pronounced my battery dead. Average car battery life is 3-5 years and my battery was almost 5 years old. David from the AAA dispatch service sold me a brand new battery right on the spot and I was back on the road again. Thank you David and AAA!

I arrived safely in Monterey just before 6pm, checked into my hotel and went to the festival. I initially went without my cameras so I could get my press credentials, festival gear, and some dinner. Typically, Friday evening starts off really mellow and picks up as people arrive throughout the evening.

My first show for Friday evening was singer Lizz Wright in Dizzy's Den, She looked radiant and sounded phenomenal. This was her first visit to Monterey since her debut performance here in 2002 which was also my first visit to Monterey. It is always amazing to watch an artist grow and develop over the years. It's a joy to see Lizz as she brings something new to every performance. Whether it is a nuance, a turn of phrase or just bringing her life experience, her rich vocals captivates her audience. Her set included a smoldering rendition of "I Idolize You," "Hey Mann" a gospel/bluesy "Walk With Me," "Blue Rose," "Another Angel," and "Coming Home." She melted us with "Dreaming Wide Awake" and closed out the evening with "Thank You." We showed our gratitude with standing ovations. Her wonderful band included David Cook on keys, Robin Mactangay on guitars, Nicholas D'Amato on bass, and Brannen Temple on drums.

I stopped in the Night Club, where the John Patitucci Trio was on a serious groove with John on bass, Joe Lovano on tenor sax and Brian Blade on drums. I went back to Dizzy's Den to witness the incredible singer/bassist Esperanza Spalding and her band. This was a hot show as there were lines waiting outside to get in. I closed out the evening in the Coffee House Gallery with 23 year old New Orleans pianist Jonathan Batiste and his quintet. I came in on a composition that included a nod to "Surrey With The Fringe On Top" and Jonathan on vocals. Next, he played a composition that alternated seamlessly between a ragtime/stride piano rhythm and a straight ahead rhythm. He was truly spellbinding and just incredible to watch.

There is more great music ahead for the weekend. There are still tickets available. For more information, www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

September 12, 2009; Monterey, CA; Offering jazz fans a rare opportunity to see some of the jazz world's finest talent, the Monterey Jazz Festival has announced that it will be selling Single-Show Arena Seats for the 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon, September 18 - 20, 2009. Single-Show Arena Tickets give patrons the ability to purchase a reserved seat for the Arena concert of their choice, and includes access to 8 additional stages on the Grounds, as well as all Grounds events and activities.

Prices range from $55 to $65 for each of the Single-Show Arena Tickets, available by phone (925.275.9255), online (montereyjazzfestival.org), and at the Monterey Jazz Festival's Monterey Fairgrounds Ticket Office starting on Monday, September 14th.

Fans can choose from five Arena shows including:

Friday night (featuring Conrad Herwig's Latin Side All-Star Band with special guests Randy Brecker and Joe Lovano; the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars featuring Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and Russell Malone; and Esperanza Spalding). Friday night tickets are priced at $55.

Saturday afternoon (featuring Susan Tedeschi; Pete Seeger; and John Scofield and the Piety Street Band). Saturday afternoon tickets are priced at $60.

Saturday night (featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Dee Dee Bridgewater; and the Hank Jones & Joe Lovano Quartet with John Patitucci and Brian Blade). Saturday night tickets are priced at $65.

Sunday Afternoon (featuring George Duke; the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with Special Guest Wynton Marsalis; and the Los Angeles County High School County for the Arts Big Band). Sunday afternoon tickets are priced at $60.

Sunday night (featuring the Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White Trio; the Dave Brubeck Quartet; and Jason Moran & The Bandwagon). Sunday night tickets are priced at $65.

"This is great news for fans who have always wanted to attend Arena shows, commented Timothy Orr, marketing associate for the festival. "It's unprecedented in recent history. We feel that it's the best value for people on a budget to get an Arena show of their choice, on the day of their choice. Since the Single-Show Arena Tickets also give access to the grounds, it's a tremendous value, especially in today's economy.

In addition to the newly launched Single Show Tickets, the Festival also has available Full Arena Packages (with one reserved seat for all 5 Arena shows), as well as daily and Full Weekend Grounds Tickets. All tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival's website, montereyjazzfestival.org.

Full Arena Packages for all 5 performances begin at $225. Daily Grounds Tickets are from $35 (Friday) and $45 (Saturday or Sunday); full Weekend Grounds Tickets are $110.00. MJF's new Family Discount Pack is $80 for 2 Adult and 2 Youth Tickets for a single day. Grounds Ticket prices will increase by $5.00 when purchased from Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 20 and patrons are advised to purchase tickets now.

Visit http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org for a printable schedule of MJF/52.

Vocalist/songwriter Lizz Wright is bringing her sweet music to the Bay Area.

9/18 Dizzy's Den stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival at 8:30pm
9/19-20 Yoshi's Oakland - Shows at 8 and 10pm

Photo Credit: James Knox

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 12, 2009

www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Media Contact: Timothy Orr
Direct Line: (510) 652-1122
MJF Phone: (831) 373-3366 X252
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org

Arena Tickets Available For 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented By Verizon, September 18 - 20, 2009

Rare Opportunity For Heirloom Purchase Guaranteeing Seats For Years

Three-Day Arena Package Includes Exclusive Access To 5 Shows Of World-Class Music On The Legendary Jimmy Lyons Stage

Plus Access To 8 Other Grounds Venues

Great Seats Available For Exclusive Arena Performances Including Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke And Lenny White Trio; Dave Brubeck Quartet, John Scofield And The Piety Street Band, Pete Seeger, Susan Tedeschi, Hank Jones And Joe Lovano Quartet, George Duke

August 12, 2009, Monterey, CA; Offering a rare opportunity for fans to purchase and retain Arena seats, the Monterey Jazz Festival has announced that Arena Packages for the 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival are still available. An Arena Package provides intimate access to exclusive world-class music on the legendary Jimmy Lyons Stage, the site of countless musical memories and historic events since 1958.

"Arena Tickets are like an heirloom purchase -- patrons can renew their seats every year," says Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate for MJF. "In times like these, upgrades, which in previous years would have been difficult, are now possible. The Arena is where you feel the weight of history, and this offers our fans a chance to be a part of that history."

Arena Packages are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival's website, montereyjazzfestival.org. Arena Packages are available starting from $225, and include one reserved seat for each of five concerts on the Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage, access to all performances and activities on eight additional stages throughout the Grounds throughout the weekend, plus conversations, exhibitions, panel discussions, international shopping, food and beverages, and more.

Photo of legendary jazz pianist Hank Jones at Monterey Jazz Festival 2006 by James Knox

One of the things I love about the Bay Area is that the music festivals and local events are jumping from now through end of September. If I have missed any, please let me know. :-)

This is the final weekend of the Stanford Jazz Festival with the Stanford Jazz Workshop All-Star Jam on Friday and Dena DeRose and Steve Davis on Saturday.

The East Bay Express Best of the East Bay 2009 Party is Friday evening from 5pm to midnight at Oakland Museum of California.

The 20th AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival is this weekend from Friday through Sunday in Downtown San Jose. Only $15 per day for three days of great music featuring Allen Toussaint, Sharon Jones, Wayne Wallace, Tierney Sutton, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Bill Henderson, Sony Holland, Bettye Lavette, Jon Santo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Buster Williams, Patrice Rushen, and many more.

The 9th Annual Art & Soul Oakland Festival is August 15 and 16. New weekend but the same great fun and entertainment for everyone. The lineup includes Shawn Colvin, Will Downing, Bobby Caldwell, and Walter and Edwin Hawkins.

Friends of the Golden Gate Public Library presents Jazz on Sunday Series every Sunday at 3pm at the Golden Gate Public Library, 5606 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, California.

Don't forget the AfroSolo Arts Festival 16 and the Yerba Buena Art Festival are running now through October.

Oakland City Center Concert Series - Concerts every Wednesday at noon at the Oakland Center in Downtown Oakland.

Kaiser Rooftop Garden Concert Series - Concerts every Friday at noon through September.

Sunnyvale Jazz Series

Aug. 15 - Tony Lindsay w/Tom Politzer (r&b & contemporary jazz)
Aug. 22 - Ed Johnson & ; Novo Tempo Quintet (contemporary Brazilian jazz)
Aug. 29 - Chester Smith Ensemble (organ straight ahead jazz)

This FREE event is open to the public and is located on Murphy Avenue (between Washington & Evelyn). For more information call 408-516-7217 or visit www.DowntownSunnyvale.com

SFJAZZ Summer Concert Series is underway and tickets for the SFJAZZ Fall Festival Season are now on sale.

Mt. Diablo Jazz Festival

Northern California's largest jazz festival returns to the Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord on August 22nd with a new lineup and a new name. Previously the JVC Jazz Festival, now called the Mt. Diablo Jazz Festival, this year brings Anita Baker, Boney James, Fourplay, Jazz Attack and local group Times 4 to Concord. Tickets for the Mt. Diablo Jazz Festival are on sale now at Livenation.com.

Downtown Berkeley MusicFest - August 27-29

Dancing in the streets, drumming in the avenues, and singing on the boulevards: all of these and more are yours this week as Berkeley's arts and entertainment hub springs into action for the Downtown Berkeley MusicFest! Highlighting the amazing diversity of Berkeley's downtown scene, the festival features a rich array of musical performances at venues throughout the downtown area.

Jazz at Filoli

Celebrate our 19th Season and Filoli's 100th Jazz Concert

Filoli Jazz lovers, please join us as we once again showcase six delightful Sunday afternoon jazz concerts held outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Filoli. Let us pamper you with great entertainment. Tables and chairs are set up on the tennis court surrounded by glorious oak trees. Parking is free, as well as snacks and drinks, including beer and white wine. Gourmet boxed lunches are available for purchase in advance. This year's program features an incredibly strong lineup of world class jazz musicians. After reading the descriptions below, I think you will agree that this year might just be our best ever. Concerts are from 1:30 pm -4:00 pm.

Next up at Filoli The Bobby Hutcherson Quartet - August 30

33rd Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival

The 33rd Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival has combined two great festivals into one weekend on September 12 and 13 at Johnson Beach Resort in Guerneville. The jazz lineup (September 12) includes Al Jarreau, Jonathan Butler, Richard Elliott, Jazz Attack, and Rick Braun with more acts to be announced. The blues lineup (September 13) includes The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Tommy Castro Band, and Bernard Allison with more acts to be announced.

Montclair Village Jazz and Wine Festival

The lineup for the Montclair Village Jazz and Wine Festival on Sunday, September 13 includes Kitty Margolis, Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet, Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, Mo'Rockin Project, and Taylor Eigsti.

52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

The 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will be held September 18-20 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, Ca. Three days of great music. Performers include Lizz Wright, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Joshua Redman, Soulive, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and many others throughout the festival grounds.

Rockridge Out & About Street Festival

On Sunday, September 27th, College Avenue in North Oakland's famed Rockridge neighborhood becomes the stage for musicians, street performers, fashion shows, lifestyle expos, wellness activities, and picnicking.

Sponsored by the Rockridge District Association, "Rockridge Out & About " features food, fun, education, health forums, live music, and dancing at this popular annual event. College Avenue becomes a culinary and shopping extravaganza as chefs fire up the grills and serve tasty delights and unique vendor booths and large tents showcasing the districts unique mix of locally owned retail shops businesses line over half a mile of
College Avenue. Take BART to Rockridge on September 27th to stroll, shop, wine and dine, dance, play and experience Rockridge Out & About.

Photo Credit: James Knox

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2009, Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival is proud to announce that Terence Blanchard, the Festival's 2007 Artist-In-Residence, has won his fourth Grammy, winning "Best Jazz Instrumental Solo" for his performance on the classic Dizzy Gillespie composition "Be-Bop" from the recording Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival by the "MJF 50th Anniversary All-Stars."

Nominated alongside his MJF All-Stars band mate, saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master, James Moody, Mr. Blanchard won the prestigious award on February 8th in Los Angeles, garnering the first Grammy for Monterey Jazz Festival Records.

"I'm very honored," said Mr. Blanchard at the awards ceremony, as reported in the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I'm mostly honored because I was in the same category with James Moody. Winning this award means a lot to me because we were on tour for 10 weeks and I got 10 weeks of music lessons from a genius of our times. So I'm going to accept this on behalf of James Moody."

The Grammy is the first major award for the two year-old Monterey Jazz Festival Records, an imprint of Concord Records. The label's previous historic releases, including never-before-released live sets from Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Shirley Horn, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk and more, have garnered high praise and stellar reviews from DownBeat, JazzTimes, the online magazine Slate, New York Sun, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe and San Francisco Chronicle, to name a few. Monterey Jazz Festival Records has released thirteen records since August of 2007.

Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival is the first non-archival release from MJFR, and was recorded in the Night Club on the Grounds of the Festival on September 23, 2007. Collectively known as the "Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars," this stellar group of three generations of jazz masters included James Moody on saxophone; Terence Blanchard on trumpet; Benny Green on piano; Nnenna Freelon on vocals; Derrick Hodge on bass; and Kendrick Scott on drums. The band made two appearances at MJF/50 in 2007 and appeared in a nationwide, 52-date tour across twenty-two states in the first quarter of 2008, performing for over 43,000 fans.

"Monterey Jazz Festival Records is proud of Terence's award and proud to present the best performances of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, captured live at the Monterey Jazz Festival," said Jason Olaine, General Manager of Monterey Jazz Festival Records. "This all-star recording from 2007 marks only the first release in a series of new, MJF-exclusive, all-star collaborations that we hope bring joy to more than just the Monterey concertgoer." The next Monterey Jazz Festival Records release will be a first-ever collaboration between bassist Dave Holland, pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, saxophonist Chris Potter, and drummer Eric Harland, who also recorded live at the Festival in 2007.

The 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival will take place September 18 - 20, 2009 and will feature a roster of jazz legends and talented newcomers alike. For MJF/52, the Festival has named as Artists-In-Residence the New Orleans-born trumpeter and multiple Grammy Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize recipient, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. The full roster for the 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival will be announced on March 30, 2009; tickets will go on sale the same day. Updates can be found on the web at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

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For more information, please contact:

Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Photo of Terence Blanchard at the 2006 Sonoma Jazz Festival by James Knox

The 51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival is this Friday through Sunday. There is a fantastic lineup this year. Here is the latest festival news.

• Golf 'n' Jazz Tournament
• Jazz with Steinbeck
• Important Information About Parking
• Free Bike Valet Service Available At MJF/51
• Enjoy An MJF/51 Private Party
• Volunteer for MJF/51
• Latest Performance Schedule

In its second full slate of archival releases, Monterey Jazz Festival Records (Concord Music Group) has released a new series of never-before-heard concert performances by jazz icons: Art Blakey, Dave Brubeck, Shirley Horn, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader and classic blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon.

The new series features the following 6 titles, available now on CD & digitally:

Art Blakey and the Giants of Jazz - Live at the Monterey 1972 Jazz Festival
Dave Brubeck - 50 Years of Dave Brubeck: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-2007
Shirley Horn - Live at the 1994 Monterey Jazz Festival
Tito Puente & His Orchestra - Live at the 1977 Monterey Jazz Festival
Cal Tjader - The Best of Cal Tjader: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, 1958-1980
Jimmy Witherspoon featuring Robben Ford - Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival

The MJF record label was founded in 2007 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Jazz Festival. It made its debut with a remarkable series of historic Live-at-Monterey CDs, rolled out shortly before the September festival, including recordings of legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong & His All Stars (recorded in ’58), Miles Davis Quintet (’63) and Thelonious Monk Quartet (’64), with all proceeds from recordings going to Monterey Jazz Festival-supported jazz education programs.

“We’re not going to be stuck in a jazz time warp. We’re excited to deliver important historical music, as well as assemble special projects and all-star ensembles to debut at the festival each year.” - Label general manger Jason Olaine

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/labels/Monterey-Jazz-Festival-Records/

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April 1, 2008; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon, launches its second half-century of legendary live jazz presentation, reflecting the artistic excellence that has made MJF the longest running jazz festival in the world. The world-renowned event takes place September 19-21, 2008 on the familiar oak-studded and beautiful grounds of the Monterey Fairgrounds, the location of the Festival since its inception in 1958.

Featuring some of the living legends in the music world as well as the future superstars of jazz, MJF/51 raises the bar set in 2007, and will be one of the most anticipated live jazz events of the year.

Tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Full Weekend Arena Packages from $220; Daily Grounds Tickets from $35.

The Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage will be one of the hottest sites of the Festival, with a lineup that promises the musical adventure of a lifetime with multiple award winning artists, including vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Jamie Cullum, Ledisi, Kurt Elling, and Nancy Wilson; saxophonists Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, and Maceo Parker, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian McBride’s new Quintet, Cuban flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle, guitarist Derek Trucks and the twelve-time Grammy-winning pianist, Herbie Hancock.

2008 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, SHOWCASE ARTIST & COMMISSION ARTIST

MJF/51 Artist-In-Residence, bassist Christian McBride, will be in fine company with several of his musical projects, and will be performing through out the weekend with his new acoustic Quintet, with the electrified Quartet, and with MJF's spotlight on the future of jazz, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. MJF/51 Showcase Artist, drummer Matt Wilson will be at large on the grounds, performing with his own Arts and Crafts, with the collective-improvisation group, Trio M, and in a duo with guitarist-extraordinaire Bill Frisell. MJF/51 Commission Artist Maria Schneider will unveil her large-scale orchestra piece, her second commissioned work for the Festival since 1995.

The long-time tradition of Arena artists performing on the grounds is also unusually rich for MJF/51. The Joshua Redman Trio, Maceo Parker, Christian McBride, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Tom Scott, Terence Blanchard, Orlando "Maraca" Valle, Ledisi, Maria Schneider Orchestra and Kurt Elling will all put in dual performances on the Grounds during the MJF/51 weekend.

Two special tributes will be featured during the weekend, both on the Arena Stage and on the Grounds. On Saturday night, A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley will feature a modern take on the music of the influential and celebrated saxophonist with renowned vocalist Nancy Wilson, trumpeter Terence Blanchard (2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Winner) and legendary saxophonist Tom Scott. Sunday will spotlight John Coltrane’s beloved collaborations with vocalist Johnny Hartman, with Kurt Elling’s Dedicated to You. This special band features Ernie Watts, and the ETHEL String Quartet, backed by the Laurence Hobgood Trio.

MEDIA ALERT!

Important Information from the 50th Monterey Jazz Festival

Saturday Ground Tickets Gone--Earliest Date in 50 Years!

Limited Number of Friday and Sunday Grounds Tickets Still Available.

Fans Urged to Buy Friday and Sunday Grounds Tickets Now to Avoid Disappointment.

More information at www.montereyjazzfestival.org / (925) 275-9255

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Timothy Orr
Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
9699 Blue Larkspur Lane, Suite 204
Monterey, CA 93940
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org
MJF Office: 831-373-3366 x252

Photo: Roy Hargrove & RH Factor at the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival

Photo Credit: James Knox