Ensembles

Each year since 1971, Monterey Jazz brings together some 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. The orchestra will appear on the Jimmy Lyons Stage in the Arena during the 68th Monterey Jazz Festival with the 2025 Artist-in-Residence.

The Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo (NGWIJC), directed by award-winning bassist Katie Thiroux, was created in 2019 to feature top high school women jazz players from throughout the United States. The group has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Next Generation Jazz Festival, the Jazz Education Network Conference, and at Berklee College of Music where they workshopped with Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis and others at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

Monterey Jazz is excited to announce our remarkable 2025 Regional All-Star Band. In the 2025 school year, students will have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. In addition, students who satisfy a set of requirements established by the Monterey Jazz Education department will receive a Certificate of Excellence in Professional Musicianship.

Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble students have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. In addition, All-Star Vocal Ensemble students who satisfy a set of requirements established by Monterey Jazz Education department will receive a Certificate of Excellence in Professional Musicianship.

Our Regional All-Star Middle School Combo, featuring talented students from across Monterey
County, rehearses twice monthly while working on ensemble skills 
including phrasing, blending, improvisation, and rhythmic feel. The band perform across Monterey County and far beyond, testing their chops on the bandstand while bringing great jazz music to the community.