Regional All-Star Band

As part of our ongoing support for music education in schools, Monterey Jazz is excited to announce the 2025-26 Monterey Jazz Regional All-Star Band. The All-Star ensemble members will have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators.

Each All-Star ensemble, featuring talented students from across Monterey County, rehearses twice a month in November through September. In the summer, the ensembles perform across Monterey County and far beyond, testing their chops on the bandstand while bringing great jazz music to the community.

2026 All-Star Band Performance Schedule (tentative):
May: Community Concert at Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey
May: Corral de Tierra Benefit Concert, Salinas
June 25: Community Concert at York School, Monterey
July: Jazz in the Forest, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Date TBD
July: Jazz on the Plazz, Los Gatos, Date TBD
August: San Jose Jazz Summer Jazz Fest, Date TBD
September 25-27: 69th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival

Contact Claire Kim-Shin, Director of Education at [email protected] or 831.373.8842 if you have any questions.

2026 Monterey Jazz Festival Regional All-Star Band
Directed by Stu Reynolds

Woodwinds
JoAnna Lee, flute; Bryce Kanter, 1st alto saxophone; Allegra Wood, 2nd alto saxophone; Conor O’Brien, 1st tenor saxophone; Xavier Morales-Gregory, 2nd tenor saxophone; Emiliano Ramirez Montejano, baritone saxophone

Trombones
Kai Bishop, 1st trombone; Isaac Lee, 2nd trombone; Sam Klevan, 3rd trombone; Mariella Norris, 4th trombone; Santiago Mendez, 5th trombone

Trumpets
Andrew Atanous, 1st trumpet; Cliff Bunden, 2nd trumpet; Joshua Lopez, 3rd trumpet; Zachary Gardner, 4th trumpet

Rhythm
Kai Kraus, Anton MacLachlan, piano; Ayden Kanter, guitar; Zoya Bograd, Owen Duran, bass; Angel Perez, Radler Pinkerton, drums

Our talented students say it best!

Being a part of the MJF All-Star program has been an excellent experience!

Through three years in All-Stars, my son’s musical abilities and confidence have matured significantly.

Every time my daughter attends rehearsals, she feels inspired by her peers who possess remarkable musical talent. She expresses that being involved in jazz music offers a different form of inspiration for her musical journey. She truly enjoys the program. Thank you so much!”