The Jazz Ensembles at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas are comprised of advanced woodwind, brass, keys, and guitar players who share a common interest in performing jazz. Comprised of mostly music majors, this ensemble strives to develop music skills and techniques that are important to the developing musician in jazz. Renowned for our hard-hitting sound with both feet planted in tradition and our eyes fixed on the future, the Jazz Ensemble is an award-winning ensemble and was commissioned as the official Jazz Band for the state of Texas. The ensemble has been a featured ensemble at the Jazz Education National Conference, Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the Essentially Ellington Regional Festival alongside many public concerts and private events. The TSU Jazz Ensembles embody a rich history of many notable performers. Some of the well-known artists that have passed through its ranks include Kirk Whalum, Frank Lacy, Andre Hayward, Barry Lee Hall, Shelly Carrol to name a few. Some of our more recent graduates include rising stars within the industry including Melvin Johnson, Raul Blanco, Eddie Moore, Timothy Lea, and many others!

Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble

Monterey County Fairgrounds

In the Monterey Jazz Festival’s ongoing support of music education in schools, we are excited to announce the return of the MJF Regional All-Star Band and Vocal Ensemble, as well as the Regional All-Star Middle School Combo in a new partnership with York School in Monterey. In the 2023-24 school year, students will have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. The Regional All-Star band is directed by Stu Reynolds, and the Regional All-Star Middle School Combo is directed by Dr. Rob Klevan. The Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble is co-directed by Dr. Rob Klevan and Ms. Janice Perl.

MJF Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble

2024 Ameripolitan Award winners, the Carolyn Sills Combo makes American roots music that reaches across genre boundaries and state lines. It's a sound built for juke joints, dive bars, theaters, and campfires, driven forward not only by Telecaster twang and swooning steel, but also the sharp songwriting of the band's frontwoman.

Carolyn Sills Combo

Join Grammy-winning author and journalist Ashley Kahn in a discussion with Blue Note President Don Was about the past, present and future of Blue Note Records to celebrate their 85th anniversary. In addition, they will speak to the resurgence of the popularity of vinyl pressings of records from Blue Note’s catalog in the next run of titles in the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, which presents affordable 180g all-analog vinyl reissues in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman, the series continues its exploration of the extensive Blue Note catalog with titles that span the many eras and styles of the legendary label’s 85-year history.

Conversation: Crescendo in Blue Vinyl with Ashley Kahn, Don Was & Steven Duncan

Monterey Jazz Festival brings together 20 of the most accomplished high school jazz musicians from across the country to form the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO) directed by GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton. Established in 1971, the NGJO traditionally gathers for one weekend in the summer to begin rehearsals in preparation for a domestic or international tour.

Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo: Jason Moran’s Ellington 125

Jimmy Lyons Stage

MJF Regional All-Star Middle School Combo

MJF Regional All-Star Band

### Event Description: Lila Downs at the Monterey Jazz Festival

**Event:** Lila Downs - Monterey Jazz Festival  
**Date:** Sunday, September 29, 2024  
**Time:** 1:50 PM - 2:40 PM  
**Stage:** Jimmy Lyons Stage  
**Location:** Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA  
**Tickets:** [Buy Tickets](#)

#### About Lila Downs:
Lila Downs is one of the most influential artists in Latin America, renowned for her powerful and unique voice. Her charismatic performances and diverse musical compositions have captivated audiences worldwide. Lila's music blends genres and rhythms such as Mexican rancheras, corridos, boleros, jazz standards, hip-hop, cumbia, and North American folk music. Her work often addresses themes of social justice, immigration, and women's issues.

#### Background:
- **Heritage:** Lila grew up in both Minnesota and Oaxaca, Mexico. Her mother is from the Mixtec indigenous group, and her father was Scottish-American.
- **Languages:** She sings in Spanish, English, and various Native American languages, including Zapotec, Mixtec, Nahuatl, Maya, and Purepecha.

#### Collaborations and Performances:
Lila has recorded duets with a wide array of artists, including Mercedes Sosa, Caetano Veloso, Juanes, Norah Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Juan Gabriel, and many others. She has performed with prestigious symphonies such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the UNAM Symphony in Mexico. Additionally, she has collaborated with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

#### Notable Venues:
Lila has graced stages at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the Hollywood Bowl, Auditorio Nacional, and Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. She was also invited by Barack Obama to perform at the White House and has performed at the Oscars for her contribution to the film "Frida."

#### Awards:
Lila Downs has recorded nine studio albums and has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning six.

Join us for an unforgettable performance by Lila Downs at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Experience the magic of her music and the depth of her artistry live on stage.

**Connect with Lila Downs:**
- [Website](#)
- [Facebook](#)
- [Twitter](#)
- [Instagram](#)

Don't miss this extraordinary event! Secure your tickets now and be part of a musical journey that transcends borders and cultures.

Lila Downs

North Carolina Central University’s Jazz Studies program has earned a reputation as one of the premier university programs. The program was started by the great jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd and brought to prominence by legendary saxophonist/flutist and educator Dr. Ira Wiggins, who retired in June 2021. NCCU’s Jazz faculty include Artists-in-Residence Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo; Robert Trowers (trombone); Albert Strong (trumpet); Lenora Helm Hammonds (vocals and director, Vocal Jazz Ensemble); Mavis Poole (vocals); Jim Crew (piano); Thomas Taylor (drums and percussion); Damon Brown (bass) and Dr. Aaron Hill (saxophone). NCCU large and small jazz ensembles are frequently featured at major venues, festivals, and conferences such as the Jazz Education Network Annual Conference, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Newport Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Vienne Jazz Festival, and the National Association for Music Education Conference (formerly Music Educators National Conference).

North Carolina Central University Jazz Combo I

Duke left us with over 1,500 compositions and thousands of recordings. It is not just the sheer enormity of his creative output that makes it so enduring, but its emotional depth. During tours of France in the 1930s, a critic wrote that Duke’s music “reveals the very secret of the cosmos;” a poet wrote that “such music is not only a new art form but a new reason for living.” It sounds as fresh today as it ever did, and worthy of a lifetime of study.

Conversation: Ellington 125 with Ashley Kahn & Jason Moran

The Eastwood Symphonic Project is a musical project led by American jazz musician and composer Kyle Eastwood. The project features his quintet along with an orchestral ensemble performing the movie themes from his father’s films.

Eastwood Symphonic

In the world of music, there are artists who follow trends and those who create them. Yuko Mabuchi firmly belongs in the latter category. Hailing from Japan, she is currently taking the global music scene by storm, showcasing her awe-inspiring talent as a pianist while staying true to her roots.


Yuko Mabuchi Trio

Award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Keyon Harrold will be touring in support of a new recording Foreverland, released on January 19, 2024, on the Concord label. This is an outstanding crossover album with features a bevy of collaborators. British R&B vocalist Laura Mvula sings on the title track “Foreverland.” Emerging young singer Malaya is featured on “Don't Lie.” Common and Robert Glasper contribute to the song “Find Your Peace,” and GRAMMY-winning musician, producer, and singer-songwriter PJ Morton lends a wistful vocal to the nostalgic single “Beautiful Day.”

Keyon Harrold Presents “Foreverland” feat. PJ Morton

The Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir, under the direction of Mr. John L. Nash, Jr., is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation dedicated to promoting gospel music in the Monterey area. We represent multiple ethnic groups and musical backgrounds and are united in our desire to learn and perform a wide variety of music from the tradition of gospel music.

John Nash & the Monterey Peninsula Gospel Community Choir

Returning for the third year, Monterey Jazz Festival's Sunday Morning Gospel will once again feature pianist Tammy L. Hall and the Texas Southern University Choir.

Sunday Morning Gospel with Tammy L. Hall and the Texas Southern University Choir

Avery*Sunshine takes no detours in creating melodious music for the masses. She makes the kind of music that undeniably satisfies the soul, leaving her audience full and invigorated. Born Denise White in Chester, Pennsylvania, with her roots grounded in the church, the singer, pianist, and composer has created a signature sound that mixes soul, jazz, R&B, and gospel.

Avery*Sunshine

That message—a clarion call to love, to faith, to justice, to brotherhood, to joy—lies at the heart of We Get By, Staples’ spectacular twelfth studio album and first full-length collaboration with multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Ben Harper. Backed by her longtime touring band, Staples breathes extraordinary life into Harper’s compositions on the record, delivering roof-raising performances with both a youthful vigor and a commanding maturity. The arrangements here are spare but weighty, matched by Harper’s suitably lean and thoughtful production, and Staples seizes the opportunity to showcase her remarkable and continued evolution as an artist, one still growing and exploring more than half a century into her storied career. ‘We Get By’ is undoubtedly a timely collection, arriving such as it does in the face of deep social divisions and heightened political tensions, but like everything Staples touches, it’s also larger than any particular moment, a timeless appeal to the better angels of our nature that’s universal in its reach and unwavering in its assurance of better things to come.

Mavis Staples

Those seven words eloquently capture the multifaceted essence of Donald Lawrence. Songwriter. Producer. Composer. Music/choir director. Recording artist. The guiding force behind such No. 1 hits as “Encourage Yourself,” “Back II Eden” and “The Blessing of Abraham.” Equally at home in both the inspirational and contemporary arenas, the multiple Grammy and Stellar Award winner has collaborated with a diverse roster, including such marquee names as Karen Clark Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, En Vogue and Mary J. Blige.

Donald Lawrence & Company

Robert Glasper is the leader of a new sonic paradigm with a career that bridges musical and artistic genres. To date, he boasts five Grammy wins and 12 nominations across 11 categories, an Emmy Award for his song for Ava Duvernay’s critically hailed documentary 13th with Common and Karriem Riggins, and a Peabody Award for his Composition of “Mr. Soul!” His work and accolades bridge all aspects of the music business, from live touring to film scoring, composing and producing.

Robert Glasper feat. Yebba

In 2021, the saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis had a career breakthrough with his 10th album, The Jesup Wagon. Inspired by the mobile agricultural education efforts of inventor George Washington Carver, the song cycle was hailed by critics for its dreamlike mosaic of gospel, folk-blues and catcalling brass bands. It was named Album of the Year at Jazz Times and DownBeat and a bunch of international jazz magazines, and it established Lewis as one of the provocative musical voices of his generation.

James Brandon Lewis’ Red Lily Quintet

This dynamic vocalist puts new meaning to diversity and grass-roots talent. Her natural ability to traverse musical genres be it in the studio, on the stage, or the screen, has kept her on the A list of in-demand singers in the industry. Shayna’s effortless execution of both soul and jazz has grabbed the attention of audiences globally, be it the Vancouver Jazz Festival, the Blue Note or a guest vocalist with the biggest symphonies throughout North America.

Shayna Steele

From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul — to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They simply blossomed from different branches.”

Marquis Hill: Composers Collective

Ana Popvic, the award-winning, hard-touring, guitar slinger blends smoking electric funk and slide guitar, jazzy instrumentals and a tight blues groove with soulful, feminine vocals. Add to the mix her incredible stage presence, all of which makes her an irresistible force in the world of contemporary blues music. Her sound simply never stands still, she’s pushing limits, bending genres, and reinventing her music and herself with each new record.

Ana Popovic & FANTASTAFUNK Big Band

Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, September 12, 1973 in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, where rumba is played all day long, and began his musical career at the age of 11, with a foundation in the rumba and Afro Cuban Yoruba traditions.

Pedrito Martinez Group

Sunny Jain's Wild Wild East (Smithsonian Folkways 2020) encompasses myriad facets of Jain’s identity both as a first-generation South Asian–American and as a global musician, from his own family’s immigration story to his eclectic musical upbringing. In recasting the immigrant—steeped in the courage to leave a familiar homeland for a new beginning — as the modern-day cowboy and cowgirl, Jain sources musical inspiration from the scores of Bollywood classics and Spaghetti Westerns, Punjabi folk traditions, jazz improvisation, and rollicking psychedelic styles. Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East is rooted in the contemporary global soundscape, singing in a new voice, “I am large, I contain multitudes.” In 2022, the band embarked on a milestone tour to Pakistan headlining Music Mela in Islamabad, the Lahore Jazz Festival and performing with master Sufi dhol drummers Nasir Sain Wajdani and Sain Tanveer. Just months prior, the group performed on the National Mall in Washington D.C. for the renowned Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East

"A fine and provocative post-bop unit,” says The New York Times, “TARBABY does what it wants.” The jazz combo earns its prerogative with an impeccable pedigree. Pianist Orrin Evans is a “poised artist with . . . ideas at his command” (NY Times). Drummer Nasheet Waits, son of jazz legend Freddie Waits, is a key member of Jason Moran’s Bandwagon. Bassist Eric Revis, a longtime Branford Marsalis collaborator, “stretches the jazz fabric without ripping it apart” (Jazz Times). Saxophonist Oliver Lake is an elder statesman of the jazz avant-garde.

Tarbaby feat. Orrin Evans, Eric Revis, Nasheet Waits

The sonically innovative harpist, Brandee Younger, is revolutionizing harp for the digital era. Over the past 15 years, she has worked relentlessly to stretch boundaries and limitations for harpists. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. That same year, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Ever-expanding as an artist, she has worked with cultural icons including Common, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, and Moses Sumney. Her current album, Brand New Life, builds on her already rich oeuvre, and cements the harp’s place in pop culture. As the title of the album suggests, Brand New Life is about forging new paths—artistic, personal, political, and spiritual. On this album, Younger salutes her musical foremother, the trailblazing harpist Dorothy Ashby, while also speaking to the sentiments of more recent generations. “We're bringing new life to Dorothy Ashby’s popular and previously unreleased compositions. We're creating new life…for the instrument,” Younger said. Brand New Life is an album about living fully, in neon bright color.

Brandee Younger Trio feat. Mumu Fresh

The 2024 Grammy winner and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully balanced and blended the often-contradictory poles of innovation and tradition. Widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation, he has also developed a unique voice as a conceptualist, concentrating his efforts on perfecting a fine mix between jazz and his many musical influences.

El Arte del Bolero: Miguel Zenón / Luis Perdomo Duo

The Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo was created by Monterey Jazz in 2019 to feature top high school women jazz players from throughout the United States. Directed by award-winning bassist, vocalist and composer Katie Thiroux, ensemble members are selected on set criteria through video auditions. The group has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Jazz Education Network Conference, and Berklee College of Music where they workshopped with Terri Lyne Carrington at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo directed by Katie Thiroux

Simply put, Cory Henry is a Grammy Award-winning artist, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, all-around keyboard master, and is the future of music!

Cory Henry

Vocalist, composer, and playwright Somi Kakoma was raised between Illinois and Zambia, and is the daughter of immigrants from Uganda and Rwanda. Known in the jazz world simply as “Somi,” The New York Times recently described her as “a virtuosic performer in full command of her instrument and powers.” In March 2022, Somi released her fifth studio album Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba, all-star tribute album honoring the great South African artist and activist in commemoration of what would have been the late singer’s 90th birthday. The album won an inaugural Jazz Music Award for Best Vocal Performance. As a companion project to the album, Somi also wrote and starred in the critically-acclaimed original musical about Makeba called “Dreaming Zenzile” that toured nationally and Off-Broadway last season. Prior to the Zenzile album, Somi released an unplanned live album called Holy Room featuring the Frankfurt Radio Big Band at the height of the 2020 global lockdown. The album ultimately earned her a 2021 Grammy® nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album, making her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the Grammy jazz categories. The album also won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Album. Her previous studio album Petite Afrique, which also won an NAACP Image Award, tells the story of the vibrant African immigrant community in midst of a rapidly gentrifying Harlem in New York City and was the highly anticipated follow-up to Somi's major label debut, The Lagos Music Salon. This fall, she will debut on Broadway in the title role a new play called “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” by Joceyln Bioh.

Somi

Since Hiromi’s debut album Another Mind (2003), the world-renowned pianist’s sound has evolved with every release, erasing the lines between jazz and classical, composition and improvisation. Now she changes tack again with her heaviest, funkiest album yet: Sonicwonderland.

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder

Four-time Grammy Award winner Stanley Clarke is thrilled to be back on the road with his exciting new band 4EVER. Already in 2022-2023 the tour has played international and domestic venues with immense success.

Stanley Clarke N•4EVER

Mumu Fresh (also known as Maimouna Youssef) is a GRAMMY-nominated, Indigenous Music Award-winning musical ambassador for the US State Department, an elected governor of the DC Chapter of the Recording Academy, and an Ambassador of the Black Music Collective.

Mumu Fresh

Honoring the 100th anniversary of the birth of Wes Montgomery, guitarist Mimi Fox presents a new project featuring her original pieces and well-crafted arrangements of Montgomery's famous compositions. After touring and recording with such organ masters as the late great Joey DeFrancesco and Barbara Dennerlein, Mimi imbues the iconic B3 sound with dazzling virtuosity in a show that runs the gamut from greasy blues and funk, to luscious ballads and blazing bebop. Joining Mimi in the trio are Brian Ho and Lorca Hart, both of whom have played with many jazz legends and together with Mimi form an all-star group.

Mimi Fox Organ Trio

For this very special show, Stephane Wrembel and his band—Josh Kaye on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass, and Nick Anderson on drums—will be joined by Nick Driscoll on tenor sax/clarinet and acclaimed improvisational pianist, Jean-Michel Pilc in celebration of the release of a triptych of three CDs—Phase I, II and III—that he recorded in collaboration with Pilc. The collection includes new compositions by both Wrembel and Pilc.

Stephane Wrembel Band with special guest Jean-Michel Pilc

Washington, DC-born and North Carolina-raised vocalist and composer Christie Dashiell lives at the musical crossroads of jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel and soul. Known for her improvisational prowess and effortlessly rich and clear tone, she has become one of the most sought-after artists on the scene today. Growing up in a musical family, Christie has been singing all of her life. She is the third of four multi-talented and musical children of jazz bassist, Carroll Dashiell, Jr. Her musical lineage is deeply rooted.

Christie Dashiell Quartet

Huntertones brings people together around the globe with fun, imaginative and fearless music. Their high energy, horn-driven sound features genre bending composition and unconventional covers. Every show is a social experience celebrating the joy of music.

Huntertones

Bassist and bandleader Kyle Eastwood speaks on the role of music — and specifically jazz — in the world of film and soundtracks. It’s a world he knows much about being one called on to create music for movies, a longtime film buff, and the son of famed actor and director (and jazz lover) Clint Eastwood. Kyle’s passion for jazz and filmmaking will be discussed and explored with audio and video excerpts and a focus on his father’s films (Don’t be surprised if you see Monterey Jazz Festival in one of those historic clips!). Moderated by Grammy-winning music historian, author, professor and producer Ashley Kahn.

Conversation: Songs for My Father — Soundtracks and Jazz with Kyle Eastwood & Ashley Kahn

Music has always loomed large in the life of Don Was. Born in Detroit in 1952, he has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as a musician, record producer, music director, film composer, documentary filmmaker, and radio host. Since 2011, he has also served as President of America’s venerated jazz label, Blue Note Records.

Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Joel Ross has amassed a dedicated following by creating music you have to lean into. That doesn’t make it any less palatable, but across the vibraphonist’s recorded output — 2019’s KingMaker, 2020’s Who Are You?, and 2022’s The Parable of the Poet — the compositions were somewhat complex, and ushered the virtuosity of his band’s live performance to a studio setting. For nublues, his remarkable fourth release as a leader for Blue Note, Ross challenged himself to create an album with a greater degree of accessibility — still intricate and adventurous, but with a strong emphasis on melody, ballads, and the blues. On purpose, nublues feels familiar, like you’ve already heard these songs in Greenwich Village somewhere. Though there are covers on this LP (John Coltrane’s “equinox” and “central park west”; Thelonious Monk’s “evidence”), this collection of newly written material exemplifies the bandleader’s evolution.

Joel Ross’ Good Vibes

Jazz pianist, composer, and artist Jason Moran hails from Houston, Texas. He’s an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Jaki Byard. Upon graduation, he studied with Andrew Hill and Muhal Richard Abrams. Moran’s 18-year relationship with Blue Note Records produced nine highly acclaimed recordings. His groundbreaking trio, The Bandwagon (with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits) is currently celebrating their 24th anniversary.

Jason Moran & The Bandwagon

Known as one of jazz’s most vibrant emerging artists, Endea Owens is a Detroit-raised recording artist, bassist, and composer. She has been mentored by jazz icons Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, and Ron Carter. She has toured and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross, Rhonda Ross, Solange, Jon Batiste, Jazzmeia Horn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Steve Turre, to name a few.

Endea Owens & The Cookout

Eight men pick up shiny brass and drum instruments, lock into an unspoken groove and rotate genres like your favorite playlist shifting from funk, jazz and R&B to hip-hop, pop and beyond with ﬁre, focus and ﬂuidity. New Orleans-bred staple The Soul Rebels expand musical boundaries with an unwavering commitment to originality and innovation through genre-bending songs and performance collaborations with the likes of Katy Perry, Nas, Metallica, Big Freedia, and G-Eazy.

The Soul Rebels

Jamison Ross is a GRAMMY-nominated soul artist whose music emanates from the intersection of rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues supported by modern production – contemporary soul.  Jamison’s most recent project is his first Affective Music release and is influenced by some of history’s greatest Soul singers, including Marvin Gaye, Rance Allen, and Al Green.

Jamison Ross

The music group "Harriet Tubman" formed in 1998 when drummer J.T. Lewis, guitarist Brandon Ross and bassist Melvin Gibbs came together to start a band with meaning. Named after the heroic African American slave who risked her life to escape from slavery and help more than 300 others to do the same, Harriet Tubman is deeply inspired by the ideals of freedom. The trio’s music — a fusion of soul, rock, jazz, and blues — examines the depths of these genres for their own unique liberated musical expression. The band counts Jimi Hendrix, Ornette Coleman, and Parliament-Funkadelic as contributors to its musical DNA. Guitarist and singer Brandon Ross, bassist Melvin Gibbs, and drummer J.T. Lewis have collaborated with artists as diverse as Cassandra Wilson, Living Colour, Lou Reed, Herbie Hancock, Henry Threadgill, Sting, Arrested Development, the Rollins Band, David Murray and Meshell Ndegeocello. Their own sound is pure and liberated musical expression — a deep and soulful meditation on the concept of freedom.

Harriet Tubman feat. Brandon Ross, Melvin Gibbs, J.T. Lewis

"CONNECTED" was formed during the lockdown. Bassist Richie Goods and vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu had frequent conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement and unwarranted hate crimes against Asians. They decided to undertake a project that would unify people and evoke imagery of love and peace. Not only was the music they produced impressive, but their friendship also deepened as they explored the stereotypical discord that often exists between the African American and Asian communities. Richie Goods and Chien Chien met in 2019 during a European tour. Shortly after, Richie produced Chien Chien's debut album, The Path. As their collaboration continued to flourish, a new endeavor emerged: "Connected," a project that embodied the profound musical connection between them.

Connected with Richie Goods and Chien Chien Lu

Jackie Venson is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter known far and wide for her beautifully complex music and blazing guitar skills. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Jackie has traveled the world playing to crowds both as a headliner and as support for major acts such as Keb’ Mo’, Gary Clark Jr, Aloe Blacc, Melissa Etheridge, and Citizen Cope, to name a few.

Jackie Venson

The first-place winner of the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition and semi-finalist in the American Traditions Competition, jazz vocalist Sara Jones has toured 49 states and performed in numerous concert halls across the country.

Sara Jones Trio

### Event Description: Blind Boys of Alabama with Special Guest Bobby Rush at Monterey Jazz Festival

**Event:** Blind Boys of Alabama with Special Guest Bobby Rush  
**Date:** Saturday, September 28, 2024  
**Time:** 12:30 pm - 1:20 pm  
**Location:** Jimmy Lyons Stage, Monterey Jazz Festival  
**Tickets:** [Buy Tickets](#)

#### Event Overview:
Join us for an unforgettable performance by the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama, featuring a special guest appearance by the iconic Bobby Rush, at the Monterey Jazz Festival. This event promises to be a highlight of the festival, showcasing the rich heritage and dynamic evolution of gospel and blues music.

#### Blind Boys of Alabama:
The Blind Boys of Alabama are celebrated worldwide as living legends of gospel music. With a career spanning over 70 years, they have been honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Recording Academy, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and have won five Grammy Awards. Known for their remarkable interpretations of traditional gospel favorites and contemporary spiritual material, they have collaborated with a diverse array of artists including Eric Clapton, Prince, and Tom Waits.

Their latest album, "Echoes Of The South," released on August 25, 2023, is a testament to their enduring spirit and dedication to their craft. The album, which garnered three Grammy nominations, is a bold declaration of their journey and perseverance, honoring the members they have lost and celebrating their long-standing mission of spreading light and love.

#### Bobby Rush:
At 90 years old, Bobby Rush continues to captivate audiences with his energetic performances and timeless blues music. A two-time Grammy winner and Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Rush's career is a testament to his resilience and passion for music. His recent works, including the albums "All My Love For You" (2023) and "Undercover Lover" (2024), showcase his enduring talent and commitment to his craft.

Rush's journey from rural Louisiana to becoming a celebrated blues artist is a story of determination and talent. Known for his dynamic stage presence and ability to connect with audiences, Rush has headlined festivals worldwide and appeared in numerous documentaries and television shows, including a memorable performance in Netflix's biopic "Dolemite is My Name."

#### Why Attend:
This performance is a unique opportunity to witness two of the most influential figures in gospel and blues music. The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bobby Rush bring decades of experience, passion, and soul to the stage, promising an afternoon of powerful music and unforgettable moments. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to their music, this event is not to be missed.

Secure your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary musical experience at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Blind Boys of Alabama with special guest Bobby Rush

### Event Description: Joshua Redman Group feat. Gabrielle Cavassa - Where Are We Tour at Monterey Jazz Festival

**Event:** Joshua Redman Group feat. Gabrielle Cavassa - Where Are We Tour  
**Date:** Saturday, September 28  
**Time:** 1:50 pm - 2:40 pm  
**Stage:** Jimmy Lyons Stage  
**Location:** Monterey Jazz Festival

**Overview:**
Join us for an unforgettable performance by the Joshua Redman Group featuring Gabrielle Cavassa as part of their "Where Are We" tour. This event is a highlight of the Monterey Jazz Festival, showcasing the extraordinary talent of one of the most acclaimed jazz artists of the 1990s, Joshua Redman.

**About Joshua Redman:**
Joshua Redman, a Harvard graduate and winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, is known for his charismatic presence and profound musicality. Influenced by jazz legends like John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, as well as iconic bands such as The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, Redman has carved out a unique space in the jazz world.

**About the "Where Are We" Album:**
Released in September 2023, "Where Are We" is a groundbreaking project for Redman, marking the first time he has included a vocalist, Gabrielle Cavassa, on a record. The album features Aaron Parks on piano, Joe Sanders on bass, and Brian Blade on drums, with special guests Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Peter Bernstein (guitar), and Joel Ross (vibes).

The album explores themes of geographical locations across the United States, with songs referencing cities and states such as Bruce Springsteen’s "Streets of Philadelphia," Count Basie’s "Going To Chicago," Rodgers & Hart’s "Manhattan," and John Coltrane’s "Alabama." It is a celebration and critique of America, blending ballads, standards, romantic longing, social reflection, melodic invention, and improvisational adventure.

**Performance Highlights:**
- **Joshua Redman:** Saxophone virtuoso and charismatic performer.
- **Gabrielle Cavassa:** Vocalist of uncommon style, sincerity, and soul.
- **Aaron Parks, Joe Sanders, and Brian Blade:** Sublimely lyrical and deeply grooving musicians.
- **Special Guests:** Nicholas Payton, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Peter Bernstein, and Joel Ross.

**Experience:**
This performance is a meditation on the power and importance of place, capturing the unique human beauty created when we come together in shared physical spaces. It promises to be a transformative experience, blending diverse musical roles and styles to serve the songs with the fullest imagination and without reservation.

**Tickets:**
Tickets are on sale now. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a masterful jazz performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

**Connect:**
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Join us for an afternoon of exceptional jazz music that celebrates the essence of place and community.

Joshua Redman Group feat. Gabrielle Cavassa “Where Are We” Tour

Monterey Jazz Festival brings together 20 of the most accomplished high school jazz musicians from across the country to form the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO), directed by GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton. Established in 1971, tenure in this year's NGJO culminates in a main stage performance in September at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Combo

Welcome to Monterey Jazz Festival's latest series, The Listening Space, a web series presented by Next Generation Jazz Orchestra director Gerald Clayton. The Listening Space is a place for us to seek a deeper more active role in listening to music. To savor its intricacies, the how and the why, and the impact on music holistically. Join Gerald Clayton as he walks us through a practice that has guided him his whole journey through music. Join us to really listen to some of our favorite tunes.

The Listening Space with Gerald Clayton LIVE!

Participating students in Monterey Jazz Festival's Next Generation and HBCU programs are invited to a special jam session on the Courtyard Stage for the final set of each evening! Students and repertoire will be announced from the stage.

HBCU | WIJC | NGJO Student Jam Session!

A musical multi-linguist, 2014 GRAMMY® Award winner and 2016 GRAMMY-nominated percussionist, Christian Pepin is a versatile musician that embodies the soul of a percussionist that inherently stirs the human spirit. From his supersonic slaps to the thunderous open tones and heavy hitting bass notes, the young Christian Pepin shows perceptiveness and adoration for Latin and world music. His keen sense, gifted interpretation of music, and the influence of the New York streets have allowed Christian to translate his bliss. Whether it be on the stage or set to avant-garde jazz, salsa, Latin jazz, he can make his drums speak fluently to any listener.

Christian Pepin & Orquesta Bembé

Whether leading his own dynamic bands, supplying the soul for ensembles across the musical spectrum, embodying the spirit of modern jazz and spiritual sounds or inspiring the next generation of musicians, Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator Tim Green is a wide-ranging artist of deep passion and unflagging individuality.

Tim Green Quartet

At Berklee, the band is part of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. The mission of the institute is to recruit, teach, mentor, and advocate for musicians seeking to study jazz with gender justice and racial justice as guiding principles. Founded by Terri Lyne Carrington, who also serves as the artistic director, the institute seeks to engage itself and others in making an important and long-lasting cultural shift in jazz and other music communities. Leading up to the festival, the band will be mentored by pianist Kris Davis, who is Associate Program Director of Creative Development for the institute.

Berklee Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice Quartet

A jazz artist for the hip-hop generation, José James artfully blurs the lines between traditional and contemporary jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, pop and rock. He has released 12 critically-acclaimed albums in as many years for labels such as Brownswood, Impulse, Blue Note and his own co-founded Rainbow Blonde Records, and is the recipient of both the Edison Award and L'Académie du Jazz Grand Prix. James has collaborated with many notable artists such as Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Aloe Blacc and Jason Moran.

José James presents 1978

When Sean Mason speaks about music, you can hear the notes falling into place. The cadence of his ideas unfolds with deliberate tempo, each exploring and resolving tension like an inspired chord progression. On his debut album, The Southern Suite, he emerges as a guiding luminary, shining his introspective command as both a pianist and composer through the historic lens of jazz to create a work that distills the essence of the genre for our time even as it points the way forward.

Sean Mason Quartet

Sammy Miller and The Congregation are on a mission, crisscrossing the country like a vaudevillian revival show with evangelic fervor for music. The seven-piece band is pulling people out of their solitary lives and putting them in the moment with a bracing dose of joyful jazz performed with infectious theatricality. The New York City-based, familial collective has captured its frenetic energy and unflinchingly optimistic songwriting on its debut album, Leaving Egypt.

Sammy Miller and The Congregation

Founded by SFJAZZ in 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star ensemble and composer’s workshop that represents what’s happening now in jazz, celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2024.

Since the beginning, the Collective’s mission has been to perform newly commissioned pieces by each member and fresh arrangements of works by modern masters. Through this pioneering approach, simultaneously honoring music’s greatest figures while championing jazz’s up-to-the-minute directions, the SFJAZZ Collective embodies SFJAZZ’s commitment to jazz as a living, ever-relevant art form.

SFJAZZ Collective: 20th Anniversary Celebration

Digital meets analogue on Refract — the remarkable new trio album by electronic musician and tape loop specialist BlankFor.ms, MacArthur fellow pianist Jason Moran and innovative drummer Marcus Gilmore. Refract is an uninhibited sonic marvel that combines electronics, piano and drums in real time. By spontaneously recording loops grabbed on the fly and re-infusing the sonic planes with various effects, the results borne on Refract are sounds and energies rarely heard before.

Jason Moran feat. BlankFor.ms

Three-time Grammy® Award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., known for being a drummer who the New York Times has said “take[s] a back seat to no one,” and “a musician who balances excitement gracefully and shines with innovation."

Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y

Leon Joyce Jr., a native of Meriden, Connecticut, received his musical training through private instruction under John Oblon and Jimmy Rozelle. While still in high school, he toured Connecticut and Massachusetts with the Greater Hartford Community College Theater Group, performing the Broadway musical Hair. Although Leon's musical career began in high school, it really was shaped and nurtured when he joined the Marine Corps in 1976. In the years that followed, he served as a field band musician in Marine Corps Bands in San Diego, California; Iwakuni, Japan; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Parris Island, South Carolina; Okinawa, Japan; El Toro, California; and Albany, Georgia. He graduated from the Intermediate Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1987. Gunnery Sergeant Joyce reported to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band as Percussion Section Leader in April 1990. He was promoted to his present rank in August 1990. In August 1991, he was appointed to the position of Drum Major. Leon retired from the Marine Corps in June of 1997 from Marine Corps Logistic Base in Albany, Georgia.

Leon Joyce Jr. Quartet

The world’s premier psychedelic soul band, Monophonics, cordially invites you to attend the grand re-opening of the once thriving, once vibrant establishment, the legendary Sage Motel. A place where folks experience the highs and lows of human existence. A place where big dreams and broken hearts live, where people arrive without ever knowing how they got there. It’s where individuals find themselves at a crossroads in life.

Monophonics

Ben Williams’ artistry continues to blossom, wondrously. Ever since hitting the international jazz scene in the late-aughts as a bassist for the likes of vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianist Jacky Terrasson, and saxophonist Marcus Strickland, Williams has made ineradicable footprints in the expansive music world as top-tier sideman; commanding solo-artist, composer, and bandleader; and more recently as an increasingly sought-after producer.

Ben Williams Band

Acclaimed as a considerable and highly individual compositional talent, saxophonist David Binney is one of the most prolific jazz musicians on the scene today. Winning praise from critics and colleagues alike, David was singled out by Jazz Times as one of a handful of "players who have created an alternative jazz-scene... all of whom are playing adventurous, original music.

Action Trio: David Binney, Louis Cole, Pera Krstajic

The New Orleans Groove Masters were created in 2017 for a concert for a performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The concert was a great success and with this enthusiasm a band was born. This band features three master drummers performing on percussion, tambourine, vibraphones, and vocals accompanied by piano, bass, and saxophone.

New Orleans Groove Masters feat. Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis and Shannon Powell

Jahari Stampley is a Chicago-born pianist who began playing the piano at the age of 14. Within two years of exploring the instrument, he began winning various competitions including Best High School Jazz Soloist Award and the National YoungArts Competition. By the age of 18, he was recognized and followed by many world-renowned musicians including Yebba Smith, Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Cory Henry, Jacob Collier, Stanley Clarke, and Derrick Hodge, among others. Jahari has toured with Stanley Clarke and is featured on Derrick Hodge’s Color of Noise album.

Jahari Stampley

On Sunday, November 14, 2021, a Chicago-based vocalist G. Thomas Allen made history by becoming the first male to win First Place at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Allen wowed judges and music lovers with his formidable, yet fluid vocals, as evidenced by the standing ovation he received when he performed his riveting rendition of Erroll Garner’s immortal classic, “Misty.” Since that fateful night, Allen has graced some of the most prestigious venues in the world and has honed his vivid voice into the amazing instrument it is.

G. Thomas Allen

### Event Description: Samara Joy at the 65th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

**Event:** Samara Joy - 65th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival  
**Date:** Friday, September 23  
**Time:** 5:30 pm - 6:20 pm  
**Location:** West End Stage Presented by Castoro Cellars

**About the Artist:**
With a voice as smooth as velvet, Samara Joy’s star continues to rise with each performance. Following her victory at the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she has been captivating audiences with her exceptional talent. Samara is currently working on her debut recording, featuring the Pasquale Grasso Trio.

**Background:**
Growing up in New York, Samara was deeply influenced by her musical family. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, led the renowned Philadelphia-based gospel group, The Savettes. Her father toured with the famous Gospel artist Andrae Crouch, filling their home with the sounds of Gospel and R&B legends like Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, and George Duke.

**Musical Journey:**
Although she didn’t grow up singing in church, Samara was surrounded by inspirational music, which instilled in her a deep appreciation for her musical heritage. She explored her vocal range through middle school musicals and later joined her church choir in high school, eventually becoming a worship leader.

Samara’s first exposure to jazz came during her time at Fordham High School for the Arts, where she performed with the jazz band and won Best Vocalist at JALC’s Essentially Ellington competition. Her passion for jazz deepened at SUNY Purchase, where she studied under jazz masters like Pasquale Grasso and Kenny Washington.

**Achievements:**
Samara has performed at prestigious jazz venues in New York City, including Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, the Blue Note, and Mezzrow. She has collaborated with jazz greats such as Christian McBride, Pasquale Grasso, and NEA Jazz Master Dr. Barry Harris. Her self-titled debut album, released on July 9, 2021, has been praised for its highly original arrangements and timeless quality.

**Join Us:**
Experience the enchanting voice of Samara Joy at the 65th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a young artist destined for greatness.

**Connect with Samara Joy:**
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Be sure to mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening of jazz with Samara Joy!

Samara Joy

### Chief Adjuah at the Monterey Jazz Festival

**Event:** Chief Adjuah Performance  
**Date:** Friday, September 27, 2024  
**Time:** 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM  
**Stage:** Jimmy Lyons Stage  
**Location:** Monterey Jazz Festival

**About Chief Adjuah:**
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, formerly known as Christian Scott, is a renowned trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer. He is a two-time Edison Award winner and a six-time Grammy Award nominee. Adjuah is celebrated for his innovative contributions to music, including the creation of the Stretch Music app and the design of unique musical instruments such as the Adjuah Trumpet and Chief Adjuah’s Bow.

Adjuah is the Chieftain and Oba of the Xodokan Nation and the current Grand Griot of New Orleans. He is the grandson of the late Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr. and the nephew of jazz innovator Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. Since 2001, Adjuah has released 13 critically acclaimed studio recordings and is recognized as the progenitor of the Stretch Music style, which emphasizes genre-blind fusion.

**Notable Collaborations:**
Adjuah has worked with a variety of prominent artists, including Prince, Thom Yorke, McCoy Tyner, Marcus Miller, Flea, Eddie Palmieri, Robert Glasper, Mos Def Yasin Bey, Talib Kweli, and Saul Williams. He has also scored music for his twin brother, Kiel Adrian Scott, a Directors Guild of America Award recipient.

**Recent Projects and Achievements:**
- Film and brand partnerships with PBS’ American Masters and GAP’s Skate Meet Horn campaign.
- Multiple Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Contemporary Jazz Album.
- Featured in the film "Bill and Ted Face the Music" and the romantic drama "The Photograph."
- Inducted into the inaugural constituency of the Black Genius Brain Trust.
- Recipient of the Changing Worlds Peacemaker Award and The Doris Duke Award in the Arts.
- Face of the first-ever BMW XM in the fortheXminded campaign.

**Community Involvement:**
Adjuah is dedicated to numerous causes that positively impact communities. He has supported organizations such as Each One Save One, NO/AIDS Task Force, Girls First, and Black Lives Matter. He is actively involved in youth music programs and sits on the Board of The NOCCA Institute.

**Tickets:**
Tickets for Chief Adjuah's performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival are on sale now. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the innovative sounds of one of jazz's most influential artists.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Monterey Jazz Festival website.

Chief Adjuah

The Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Band features the top music students from across Monterey County, who all come together to participate in middle and high school big bands.

Each all-star ensemble, which also includes the vocal ensemble, rehearses twice monthly (daily at MJF’s annual Summer Camp). The musicians work on ensemble skills—including phrasing, blending, improvisation, and rhythmic feel, while exploring a range of jazz styles. The bands also perform across Monterey County and far beyond, testing their chops on the bandstand while bringing great music to the community. The ensembles have performed across North America at jazz festivals and venues like the Kennedy Center, the National Archives, and Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle.

EPSG:4326

Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Band

San José Museum of Art

The Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Vocal ensemble features the top voice students from across Monterey County, who all come together to participate in an advanced choir.



Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Vocal ensemble

The illustrious Monterey Jazz Festival once again sends six of its finest jazz ambassadors to Berkeley as part of its popular touring program. Multiple-Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, among the “best-rounded and unique jazz vocalists singing today” (All About Jazz), and Kurt Elling, “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time” (The New York Times), scat, swoon, and soar as they bring swing standards, moody ballads, bop favorites, and Latin hits to life. The hard-swinging band is led by pianist Christian Sands, with rising-star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys), and the well-oiled rhythm section of bassist Yasushi Nakamura (Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones) and drummer Clarence Penn (Betty Carter, Maria Schneider).

Monterey Jazz Festival

Sep 29, 2024

Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble

Sep 29, 2024

MJF Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble

Monterey Jazz Festival