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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2007
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

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

Monterey Jazz Festival Launches 50th Grounds Entertainment With 500 Artists On 8 Stages For Nonstop Celebration Of Milestone Event

Hip New DJ Dance Club " Lyons Lounge" Debuts, New " Lyons Lane " Showcases MJF History, "New Grooves in New Orleans " on Friday, Sunday Salutes "Family Day"

Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Terence Blanchard, Ernestine Anderson, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Kenny Burrell, Otis Taylor, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, James Moody, Mort Sahl, John Sayles, Clint Eastwood, And More Slated For The Jazz Party Of The Century, September 21-23 On Monterey Fairgrounds

September 7, 2007; Monterey, California; The 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon is going to offer jazz fans both an historic and groundbreaking weekend, September 21-23, 2007. The most anticipated jazz event of the year, MJF/50 will feature over 500 artists on 8 stages of Grounds entertainment, along with 3 venues simulcasting the MJF Arena’s 5 concerts. With prices starting at just $35 for Friday, MJF/50 Grounds Tickets are the answer to a jazz fan’s dreams and a bargain to boot.

Grounds Artists will include the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Terence Blanchard, Ernestine Anderson, Jim Hall, Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Kenny Burrell, Otis Taylor, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, James Moody, Rashied Ali, and many more over three nights and two days of music.

In honor of this historic occasion, the Festival has opened a new area, Lyons Lane (named in honor of MJF founder Jimmy Lyons), with a call to fans to "celebrate our past and sample the future." The Festival's history-laden past will be showcased by "Monterey through the Eyes of the Media," a display of previews, reviews, and articles about MJF from 1958 through 2007. Featuring autograph sessions, free samples of cool products, a new E-Mail Station, and a chance for fans to share their MJF memories, Lyons Lane will be open during all Festival hours.

At the end of Lyons Lane , fans will discover Lyons Lounge, the Festival's first new venue in years and the Festival's first ever dance venue. DJ Logic and Vinnie Esparza will be remixing hip-hop, jazz and dance tracks from 8:00 pm nightly, with the Lounge opening at 7:00 pm on every Festival evening.

The 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon offers fans three nights and two days of legendary music, international food, shopping, and entertainment for families and fans of all ages, in one of the world's most beautiful settings.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival Launches 50th Grounds Entertainment" »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2007
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

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

50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Seeks Volunteers
Volunteers Act as MJF Ambassadors,
Participate in MJF Events, Gain Valuable
Experience in Festival Production

August 29, 2007; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival is looking for volunteers to assist MJF staff in producing the historic 50th annual MJF, to be held at the Monterey Fairgrounds, September 21 - 23, 2007. Volunteers will see the Festival up close, act as MJF Ambassadors, work with stage, public relations, hospitality, and other MJF related activities. Positions are open to all, from students to seniors, and everyone in between. Volunteers may work behind the scenes or in a crowd, and are able to stay on the grounds after serving a shift to enjoy the Festival music, events and activities. Volunteers are needed starting Monday, September 17, continuing through Monday, September 24. There is a special need for help early in the Festival week, with positions available to help set up for the Festival.

To apply to be a volunteer for the Monterey Jazz Festival, please visit the Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org and look for the “Volunteer for the Festival” button on the homepage. You will find volunteer information and an application you can print out, fax or email to the Festival.

You can visit the Volunteer page here: http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/info/volunteers.htm

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For more information, please contact:

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2007
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

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

MJF Launches Golden Celebration of 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon September 21-23, 2007

Legendary Artists Diana Krall, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Dave Brubeck, Gerald Wilson, Jim Hall, Ernestine Anderson, Dave Holland, John McLaughlin, and More Return to Monterey

Issac Delgado, Los Lobos, Sean Jones, Christian Scott, James Hunter, and More in Festival Debuts

Commission Artist Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra to Premiere Monterey Moods in Celebration of 50th Anniversary

Artist-In-Residence Terence Blanchard to Perform Requiem for Katrina with Monterey Jazz Festival Chamber Orchestra

Newly Expanded Grounds Include Lyons Lane, Featuring MJF History and Classic Images from Festival’s 50 Years

New Performance Venue, Lyons Lounge, Features DJs, Dancing, Electronic Music in New MJF Jazz Club

Festival Celebrates 50th with Golden Gala, New Book "The Art of Jazz", New Monterey Jazz Festival
Records Label, and More

March 30, 2007, Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon celebrates its 50th in grand style as the artists who have shaped both the Festival and the history of jazz reunite with the stages that have made MJF the longest running jazz festival in the world. The world-renowned event takes place September 21-23, 2007 on the familiar oak-studded and beautiful grounds of the Monterey Fairgrounds, the location of the Festival since 1958. Featuring some of the biggest living legends in the jazz world, MJF/50 promises to be the key event of 2007 in the world of live music.

Tickets on sale Friday, March 30th on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by phone at (925) 275-9255.

High resolution photos available at www.montereyjazzfestival.org/media/index.htm

A stellar list of artists will grace the Arena/Lyons Stage including Diana Krall, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, the Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring the legendary guitarist Jim Hall, John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Los Lobos, bluesmen Otis Taylor and James Hunter, Cuban vocalist Issac Delgado and the supergroup of Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland.

2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, will appear with the MJF Chamber Orchestra, with his own quintet, with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, and also with the MJF 50th Anniversary All-Stars, featuring James Moody, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, Kendrick Scott, and Derrick Hodge. MJF/50 Showcase Artist, Jim Hall, will appear with his own quartet, in duo with pianist Geoff Keezer, and with Dave Brubeck's Quartet. And MJF/50 Commission Artist, Gerald Wilson, will premiere Monterey Moods, his third milestone composition for MJF.

Arena artists also appearing on the Grounds include bluesmen Otis Taylor and James Hunter, guitarist Jim Hall, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, Gerald Wilson and his Orchestra, the MJF 50th Anniversary All-Stars, featuring Terence Blanchard, James Moody, Nnenna Freelon, Benny Green, Kendrick Scott, and Derrick Hodge; and bassist Dave Holland, appearing with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chris Potter and Eric Harland.

Continue reading "50th Monterey Jazz Festival Lineup Announced, September 21-23, 2007" »

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Patrice "Baby Fingers" Rushen, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2006

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

Monterey Jazz Festival Grounds Entertainment Features Exciting Array of Traditional, Blues, Gospel, Vocal, Future, World, Contemporary Jazz and More for 3-Day Jazz Party, September 15-17, 2006

New Grooves on Friday, Family Day on Sunday, Plus Weekend-Long Exhibitions, Conversations with Artists, Panel Discussions, Clinics, Food, Festivities and Nonstop Jazz Entertainment

2006 Grounds Tickets Selling at Record Pace

August 4, 2006; Monterey, California; For the 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon, Grounds Weekend Passes offer a wealth of sparkling musical gems and riches for families and fans of all ages. Grounds tickets are now available, but are selling at a record pace. Fans are strongly urged to buy tickets now to avoid disappointment and increased ticket prices on day of show. Whether youre looking for jazz chanteuses, cutting-edge future jazz, hard-driving big bands, six-cylinder blues artists, world and contemporary fusion, funky soul-jazz or classic jazz combosor just a great weekend cultural experience, surrounded by music and family fun--the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival Grounds artists deliver a wide and far-reaching slice of the jazz world, and beyond.

Many of the Lyons Stage headlining artists are appearing in Grounds venues, including world-fusion bassist Richard Bona, sonic groundbreaker and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, contemporary jazz fusion masters the Yellowjackets, MJFs Artist-in-Residence extraordinaire, vocalist Kurt Elling, the hard-driving 14-piece brass band McCollough Sons of Thunder, and blues guitar master Robben Ford. In addition, members of Dave Brubecks expanded ensemble performing the Cannery Row Suite will be performing on the Grounds and include Chris Brubecks own group, Triple Play and vocalist Roberta Gambarini, who will be featured with the legendary 88-year old pianist, Hank Jones. Swinging drummer Jeff Hamilton, who co-leads the Clayton-Hamilton Big Band, will also perform on the Grounds with his trio.

Tickets are now on sale from the Ticket Office (925-275-9255) and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Grounds Tickets are priced at $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday or Sunday and $95 for all three days. Tickets bought at the door will increase by $5 per ticket during the Festival. Grounds Tickets include daily access to all Grounds concerts, events and activities on 6 stages spread throughout the Monterey Fairgrounds, plus simulcasts of all Arena concerts in The Jazz Theater, The Bose Performance at Home Pavilion and the Festival's Champagne Bar, Klub Korbel.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival: 3-Day Jazz Party with 500 Top Artists" »

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2006
Media Contact: Jason Arnold
Phones: 831/373.3366, cell 510/326.4353
Jason@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL LAUNCHES SUMMER YOUTH JAZZ CAMP JUNE 19 - 30 AT MONTEREY PENNINSULA COLLEGE

INSTRUCTORS INCLUDING MJF ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE KURT ELLING TO TEACH MONTEREY COUNTY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ STUDENTS

$125,000 IN SCHOLARSHIP MONEY OFFERED TO 250 POTENTIAL MJF SUMMER JAZZ CAMP PARTICIPANTS

MJF ALSO PRESENTS ADULT JAZZ CLASS ON JUNE 20, 22 & 27 WITH PIANIST MARK LEVINE AT MPC

Monterey Jazz Festival Summer Youth Jazz Camp
Ages 13-18
June 19-30, 9:00am-5:00pm
Monterey Peninsula College
980 Fremont St, Monterey, 93940

Camp Vocal Solos & Combos Concert
Wednesday, June 28, 7:00pm
Location: National Steinbeck Center
1 Main St, Salinas, CA 93901
Free & Open to the Public

Camp Big Bands & Vocal Ensembles Concert
Thursday, June 29, 7:00pm
Location: Pacific Grove Middle School Auditorium
835 Forest Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Free & Open to the Public

MJF Adult Jazz Class
June 20, 22, & 27, 6:00-8:00pm
Monterey Peninsula College
980 Fremont St, Monterey, 93940
$75 Tuition for Three Class Sessions

June 8, 2006; Monterey, California; The Monterey Jazz Festival holds its two-week Summer Jazz Camp for middle and high school students at Monterey Peninsula College this June 19 – 30, 2006. This year, 250 students from 24 schools in Monterey County have been offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in jazz study and performance with a star-studded line-up of professional musicians and educators. As part of its long-standing commitment to jazz education, the Monterey Jazz Festival has offered a total of $125,000 in scholarship funding for participating students, making the camp not only educationally rewarding and fun, but inexpensive as well.

The MJF Summer Jazz Camp is an intensive immersion program for young jazz students to learn and develop music skills and knowledge, with classes including big bands, small ensembles, vocal performance, instrumental master classes, and daily workshops on different music subjects. The camp also includes special sessions for students to attend combo rehearsals and theory classes. MJF staff expect total enrollment of 160 young musicians to participate in this worthwhile music endeavor, keeping classes and ensembles to a small size. The students – ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old - earn one unit of credit from Monterey Peninsula College at the completion of camp. Students will the opportunity to show off their newly-honed skills in recital performances for fans, friends and family on June 28 at the National Steinbeck Center and June 29 at the Pacific Grove Middle School Auditorium. Student jam sessions, giving students the opportunity to play with the pro's, will take place at Monterey Live with dates and times to be announced.

This year's MJF Summer Jazz Camp is distinguished by the presence of this MJF 2006 Artist-in-Residence, vocalist Kurt Elling. The seven-time GRAMMY Award nominee, who astonished attendants at this year's MJF Next Generation Festival in April, will inspire young musicians with his open and enthusiastic approach to jazz education as well as his lauded vocal talent.

Continue reading "Monterey Jazz Festival Lauches Summer Youth Jazz Camp June 19 - 30" »

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