Bulldog Bass Jam

Bulldog Bass Jam is a tribute to the late Ray Drummond, who passed away in November 2025. With familial roots on the Monterey Peninsula beginning in the early 1960s, Ray was a first-call bassist on both coasts, the Monterey Jazz Festival 1998 Artist-in-Residence and Commission Artist, and acted as an adjudicator at our Next Generation Jazz Festival for many years. Ray also taught at California State University, Monterey Bay and began attending MJF in the early 1970s. He leaves a recorded legacy of hundreds of albums as a sideman with an all-star roster of artists and was a role model and inspiration to generations of musicians worldwide.

Featuring a band of artists already performing at this year’s festival, this tribute show celebrates Ray’s long-lasting contributions to the artform and to his personal connection to the festival.

Artists and repertoire will be announced from the stage.