Monterey Jazz News & Notes
From legendary performances to groundbreaking new voices, Monterey Jazz continues to honor its rich history while embracing the future of jazz and ensuring new generations engage. Stay connected for stories, artist spotlights, and insights into the music that keeps Monterey swinging—unforgettable, inspiring and timeless.
February 10, 2025
How it all started! Jimmy Lyons on the air and Dave Brubeck’s influence and success (1940s – 1953)
In the era before Monterey Jazz Festival was founded, the building blocks for the idea of an outdoor festival originated with deejay Jimmy Lyons. Lyons had been working at…
January 22, 2025
A New Look at Our Timeless Past
In 2025, Monterey Jazz will look back at our history and towards the future in a series of posts that reflects our motto, “Timeless Since 1958.” As we have seen many…
December 23, 2024
Monterey Jazz Festival Announces Expanded Vision as “Monterey Jazz”
(MONTEREY, Ca) – December 23, 2024 – The Monterey Jazz Festival, the world’s longest continuously-running jazz festival, launches its new brand “Monterey Jazz” to…
September 24, 2024
Monterey Jazz Festival Presents Clint Eastwood with Cultural Leadership Award
Presentation by Morgan Freeman Happens Sunday, September 29 at Monterey Jazz Festival Followed by Eastwood Symphonic Performance MONTEREY, Ca – (September 24,…
July 26, 2024
67th MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL AND NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DARIN ATWATER PRESENT A STELLAR LINEUP INCLUDING STANLEY CLARKE N•4EVER, MAVIS STAPLES, SAMARA JOY, AND MORE!
3-Day Ticket Packages and Single-Day Tickets on Sale Now MONTEREY, Calif. (July 15, 2024) – The Monterey Jazz Festival, the world’s longest continuously-running jazz…
September 7, 2023
Monterey Jazz Festival Selects Darin Atwater as New Artistic Director
Atwater Makes History as Only the Third Artistic Director in the Organization’s History and the First African American to Hold the Position Monterey, CA (September 7, 2023)…
July 27, 2023
If Only We Knew! John Handy’s Iconic Monterey Moment
When saxophonist John Handy rolled into the eighth annual Monterey Jazz Festival in 1965, he already knew his new quintet would appear on the Saturday afternoon program in the…
July 17, 2023
Monterey Jazz Festival fashions! Yes, it’s a “thing!”
Come for the music. Come for the enhanced food court and artisan shops. Come for a weekend in Monterey. Come for the fierce fashions! Check out some iconic artists and…
July 11, 2023
The Road to Monterey: A Shared Past, Present and Future with Ambrose Akinmusire and Elena Pinderhughes
MJF frequently highlights musicians who have come through our jazz education programs. Two such artists at MJF66 share a parallel history, both in their past and present –…