Welcome toMonterey Jazz

The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world and is held annually on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, Calif.

Monterey Jazz is about much more than our annual Festival. From our all-star touring ensembles, summer camps, and recitals, to local pop-up concerts and bringing professional jazz musicians into our schools, Monterey Jazz is active and happening all year round.

It’s a wrap!

Thanks to all who joined us at MJF68.
What a weekend!

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MJF68 has come to an end

The 69th Monterey Jazz Festival is Sep 25 – 27, 2026.
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MJF68 Festival Schedule

Monterey Jazz

Festival Performers

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Be a Friend of the Festival

As a Friend of the Festival, you support Monterey Jazz with a gift of $150 or more annually. Your gift will sustain the important programs and initiatives that nurture and inspire young people each year. You’ll join a special community of jazz supporters, receiving regular updates on the jazz education initiative and invitations to special Monterey Jazz events.

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Monterey Jazz Education

Monterey Jazz Education Program components include bringing professional jazz artists into local schools, HBCU partnerships, summer jazz camp, all-star student ensembles, online resources, instrument rentals and repertoire, community events, and more.

It’s a mood, a party, a tribal gathering, an improvisation and a cultural colossus.

San Jose Mercury News

Tomorrow’s Jazz Greats, Now Playing

Monterey Jazz is committed to nurturing the next generation of jazz.

Reaching more than 3,000 students annually, education is at the heart of Monterey Jazz’s mission.

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Monterey Jazz News & Notes

The text 'Returning Favorites & Exciting New Faces!' on top of bright shapes

September 23, 2025

Returning Favorites & Exciting New Faces: Davina & The Vagabonds and Lucía

New Names, Familiar Faces, One Epic Festival! The legends you love are back — and they’re bringing tomorrow’s greats with them. Get acquainted with icons, innovators,…

The text 'Returning Favorites & Exciting New Faces!' on top of bright shapes

July 17, 2025

Returning Favorites & Exciting New Faces: Mr. Sipp and JC Smith

New Names, Familiar Faces, One Epic Festival! The legends you love are back — and they’re bringing tomorrow’s greats with them. Get acquainted with icons, innovators,…

Closeup of a group of people standing around overlaid with the text 'A Festival is Born'

July 17, 2025

A Festival is Born (1958)

After the success of the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island beginning in 1954, Jimmy Lyons and Ralph Gleason combined Rolodexes in 1956 and contacted the jazz elite…

Timeless Since 1958

For over 65 years, Monterey Jazz has been committed to celebrating America’s creativity and cultural heritage by presenting legendary jazz musicians, timeless composers, and young rising stars.