The longest running jazz festival in the world! It began as a dream for founder Jimmy Lyons, a dream of a "sylvan setting with the best jazz people in the whole world playing on the same stage, having a whole weekend of jazz." That dream became reality in 1958 with the first Monterey Jazz Festival bringing in artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, John Lewis, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Ernestine Anderson, Harry James, Max Roach and Billie Holiday. Every year since then, every third full weekend in September sees the same caliber of talent grace the now seven stages on the Monterey Fairgrounds (in addition to the Jazz Theater), as the Monterey Jazz Festival presents the best jazz performers in the world for a three-day celebration of the best in jazz. In addition, the Monterey Jazz Festival features jazz conversations, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, clinics, and an international array of food, shopping and festivities spread throughout the 20-acre Monterey Fairgrounds.

5The Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon, launches its second half-century of legendary live jazz presentation, reflecting the artistic excellence that has made MJF the longest running jazz festival in the world. The world-renowned event takes place September 19-21, 2008 on the familiar oak-studded and beautiful grounds of the Monterey Fairgrounds, the location of the Festival since its inception in 1958.

Featuring some of the living legends in the music world as well as the future superstars of jazz, MJF/51 raises the bar set in 2007, and will be one of the most anticipated live jazz events of the year.

Tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Full Weekend Arena Packages from $220; Daily Grounds Tickets from $35.

The Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage will be one of the hottest sites of the Festival, with a lineup that promises the musical adventure of a lifetime with multiple award winning artists, including vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Jamie Cullum, Ledisi, Kurt Elling, and Nancy Wilson; saxophonists Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, and Maceo Parker, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian McBride’s new Quintet, Cuban flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle, guitarist Derek Trucks and the twelve-time Grammy-winning pianist, Herbie Hancock.

2008 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, SHOWCASE ARTIST & COMMISSION ARTIST

MJF/51 Artist-In-Residence, bassist Christian McBride, will be in fine company with several of his musical projects, and will be performing through out the weekend with his new acoustic Quintet, with the electrified Quartet, and with MJF's spotlight on the future of jazz, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. MJF/51 Showcase Artist, drummer Matt Wilson will be at large on the grounds, performing with his own Arts and Crafts, with the collective-improvisation group, Trio M, and in a duo with guitarist-extraordinaire Bill Frisell. MJF/51 Commission Artist Maria Schneider will unveil her large-scale orchestra piece, her second commissioned work for the Festival since 1995.

The long-time tradition of Arena artists performing on the grounds is also unusually rich for MJF/51. The Joshua Redman Trio, Maceo Parker, Christian McBride, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Tom Scott, Terence Blanchard, Orlando "Maraca" Valle, Ledisi, Maria Schneider Orchestra and Kurt Elling will all put in dual performances on the Grounds during the MJF/51 weekend.

Two special tributes will be featured during the weekend, both on the Arena Stage and on the Grounds. On Saturday night, A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley will feature a modern take on the music of the influential and celebrated saxophonist with renowned vocalist Nancy Wilson, trumpeter Terence Blanchard (2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Winner) and legendary saxophonist Tom Scott. Sunday will spotlight John Coltrane’s beloved collaborations with vocalist Johnny Hartman, with Kurt Elling’s Dedicated to You. This special band features Ernie Watts, and the ETHEL String Quartet, backed by the Laurence Hobgood Trio.

MJF: DAY BY DAY

Friday, September 19 in the Arena will kick off MJF/51 in a Latin style with the MJF debut of Cuban vocalist & flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle, followed by the angular modernism of the Joshua Redman Trio and the luxurious vocals of Cassandra Wilson, also debuting at MJF. On the Grounds, the popular New Grooves in Dizzy’s Den will reverberate with the electrified Christian McBride Band and Rudder. The Garden Stage will launch in the bebop vein with the George Young Quartet, followed by the talented and youthful Berklee Latin Jazz All-Stars. Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts will offer their own take on the jazz tradition to close out the Garden Stage’s musical offerings for Friday night.

In the Night Club / Bill Berry Stage, the singer-songwriter Spencer Day will perform original and American songbook favorites, followed by the MJF debut of up-and-coming Israeli saxophonist, Anat Cohen.  The Joshua Redman Trio will close out Friday’s Night Club in their second performance of the evening. In the intimate Coffee House Gallery, Yaron Herman will make his MJF debut with three sets of his impassioned take on improvisation, while Quantic and 4onefunk will take the stage in Lyons Lounge with their bass-heavy turntablism.

Saturday, September 20 will be a funk-filled experience in the Arena, starting off with the 2008 Grammy-nominee for “Best New Artist,” Ledisi, followed by the legendary funk-soul saxophonist Maceo Parker appearing with the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. The swamp-funk of the Derek Trucks Band, debuting at MJF, concludes the blues-driven afternoon. Saturday evening in the Arena gets off to an explosive start with Christian McBride’s new acoustic Quintet, followed by MJF/51 Commission Artist Maria Schneider and her Orchestra with her signature piece for 2008. The evening ends with Nancy Wilson, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and saxophonist Tom Scott in their Tribute to Cannonball Adderley, on the very stage where the legendary saxophonist last played in 1970 (and was filmed by Clint Eastwood for Play Misty for Me!)

Saturday will give audiences a chance to see Arena artists and the best that jazz has to offer over a broad spectrum of sound. The Garden Stage, a favorite location for the bluesy Saturday crowds, will get off to an exciting start, featuring the newly-minted soul sounds of Ryan Shaw. Fans of vocalist Ledisi will have the chance to see her up close and personal, as will fans of funk master Maceo Parker. The groundbreaking vocal and guitar duo Tuck & Patti will also return to MJF for the first time in twenty-four years, followed by the explosive pianist Rebeca Mauleón & Afro-Kuban Fusion.

Saturday’s Night Club / Bill Berry Stage will feature a myriad of styles and artists, both old and new, from the traditional to the experimental. Japanese pianist Junko Moriya will make her MJF debut, followed by the hard-driving big band of the US Air Force, the Falconaires. Tom Scott will present A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley as an instrumental group, and returning master and Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard will perform with his Quintet. The Night Club will round out its Saturday schedule with a post-modern musical dialog between two masters, the far-reaching Matt Wilson & Bill Frisell Duo.

Saturday’s Dizzy’s Den schedule will also showcase a variety of music and special events that will keep jazz fans captivated. Starting off with a fascinating conversation with vocalist Nancy Wilson, the afternoon will continue with an MJF favorite, the DownBeat Magazine Blindfold Test. The music will commence with the explosive Orlando "Maraca" Valle with his Cuban Lullabies, followed by another fellow Cuban and visionary, drummer Antonio Sanchez & Migration. The Maria Schneider Orchestra will close Saturday night at Dizzy’s Den, performing her Grammy-winning music.

The Coffee House Gallery, known for its intimate atmosphere, will also feature a range of musical styles. Saturday’s sets will include La Tuque Bleue performing their Euro-Canadian folk music, the hot musicality of Berklee Latin Jazz All-Stars, and the jagged experimentalism from pianist Marc Cary and his Trio.

Sunday, September 21 will cap off the 51st Monterey Jazz Festival with the biggest names in jazz. In the Arena, the day starts off with the winning high school band from the Next Generation Festival, followed by MJF’s youthful Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with Christian McBride. The afternoon show in the Arena will feature the eclectic British superstar, crossover vocalist Jamie Cullum. Sunday evening in the Arena will be a spectacular affair, starting off with Kurt Elling and Dedicated to You, featuring Ernie Watts, the ETHEL String Quartet and the Laurence Hobgood Trio, celebrating John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman. Next, the legendary Wayne Shorter Quartet will perform a masterful deconstruction of the post-bop language that Wayne has pioneered over the last 50 years, and will set the stage for another living legend and multiple Grammy winner, Herbie Hancock, who will close the Sunday night Arena in his 8th performance at MJF since 1964.

On the Grounds, the atmosphere will be just as electric--and eclectic. On the Garden Stage, La Tuque Bleue will again provide an acoustic foray into folk, followed by the spiritual, drummer-led Brian Blade Fellowship. The Kyle Eastwood Band then returns with their electro-acoustic modernist take on jazz, followed by the classic vocal stylings of the Jamie Davis Group.

Dizzy’s Den will again host to the popular jazz panels on Sunday afternoon, with a conversation about Cannonball Adderley, followed by what is sure to be a packed house: a conversation between film icon Clint Eastwood and vocalist Jamie Cullum. The music begins with Christian McBride’s new Quintet and then a reprise of Kurt Elling’s Dedicated to You, singing Hartman/Coltrane to close the evening on a mellow note.

High energy can be found in the Night Club, which will be the center of attention for the nation’s best high school bands all Sunday afternoon, followed by the now-classic Hammond B-3 Blowout with Barbara Dennerlein and Brian Auger's Oblivion Express.

Sunday’s Coffee House and West Lawn will also celebrate a different mix of play. First up is the kid-friendly ZunZun, celebrating the diversity of culture through music, followed by sets with the cutting-edge Trio M (with Matt Wilson, Myra Melford and Mark Dresser) in what will be an improviser’s dream. The West Lawn will chime with the Baltic Sounds of the Brass Menazeri.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND FAMILY DAY

Sunday September 21 is also Family Day, sponsored by Macy’s, returning for the third year. Family Day features activities and fun for fans and families of all ages, including a Percussion Playshop on the West Lawn where kids can have a hands-on experience with percussion instruments, the “Jazzy Jumper” where kids can bounce the day away. With musical entertainment by ZunZun, celebrating the cultures of the Americas, and the country’s seven best high school bands appearing in the nearby Night Club, “Family Day” at MJF has become a favorite activity for young music fans and families.

The Jazz Theater will also host two special screenings of films dedicated to two iconoclasts of jazz: the three-time Monterey Jazz Festival performer and big band leader of the late 1960s, Don Ellis; and the influential and controversial saxophonist, Albert Ayler. After the afternoon Arena simulcasts, the Jazz Theater will show Don Ellis: Electric Heart on Saturday and My Name is Albert Ayler on Sunday, providing a rare opportunity to see these historic new documentaries and performances on the big screen.

ALL WEEKEND LONG

All weekend long in the evening, Lyons Lounge at the end of Lyons Lane will pulse with the heavy DJ sounds of Quantic and 4onefunk, in the return of one of the grand experiments--and legacies--of the Festival. Both Lyons Lounge and Lyons Lane are named in honor of MJF founder Jimmy Lyons and are located adjacent to the Arena entrance on the Festival midway. The Lounge will again offer fans a hip jazz club to chill out on the north end of the Grounds, departing from the acoustic offerings of the Festival.

As patrons stroll down the lane, they will relive the history, images, and music of the Monterey Jazz Festival in a special MJF history display, "Monterey Through the Eyes of the Media", a retrospective of 50 years of news reporting on the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Also on the Grounds, a companion exhibit of 50 years of MJF memorabilia will be on display in the Coffee House Gallery on the Midway. Sue Downs will be performing on the Disklavier on the Courtyard Stage at the entrance to the Festival.

FROM TODAY THROUGH  SEPTEMBER, PLENTY OF WAYS TO CELEBRATE MONTEREY

The Festival continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary year with a range of activities and offerings. MJF will kick-off the Festival season with the Second Annual Jazz Legends Award on May 2, 2008 at Tehama Golf Club. The evening will feature cocktails and dinner, with entertainment by Bay Area favorite, vocalist Kim Nalley. Highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the MJF Legends Award to Gerald Wilson. Space is still available as of press date. Fans are urged to contact michelle@skipwithandassociates.com or call (415) 279-1973 for more information.

MJF’s Front Box Auction presents another opportunity for jazz fans to enjoy the Monterey Jazz Festival while supporting Jazz Education. From March 31 until June 1, patrons can bid to sit at the front of the Arena with three of their closest friends in four Front Box seats for the 51st Annual MJF. For more information, please visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

During the Festival, fans are also encouraged to visit the MJF Education Booth in the center of the midway to participate in the MJF Silent Auction featuring unique jazz memorabilia and collector’s items, with all auction proceeds benefiting MJF’s Jazz Education Programs.

The Festival's 10th Annual Golf ‘n’ Jazz Tournament is a rare opportunity to play Pasadera, an outstanding Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. This exclusive event includes a buffet lunch, jazzy gift bag, and golf with cart, plus an evening to remember at elegant Pasadera Country Club following the Tournament. The evening will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a sumptuous buffet dinner, a jazz concert and live auction, plus the golf awards ceremony. The Tournament takes place on Thursday, September 18, 2008; registration takes place by phone, (831) 373-3366 and online at www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Fans are urged to visit the MJF website for more details about how to participate in this longtime MJF favorite. All proceeds are invested in MJF’s Jazz Education Programs.

The 4th Annual Jazz with Steinbeck event will offer fans an exclusive supper club evening in support of MJF’s Jazz Education Programs and the National Steinbeck Center’s Youth Programs. This very special event takes place on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, with jazz entertainment by vocalist Mary Stallings and singer-songwriter Spencer Day, and sumptuous dining created by celebrity Chef Cal Stamenov of Bernardus Lodge, and an array of exceptional wines hand picked by Wine Director, Mark Jensen. This intimate, one-of-a-kind jazz experience promises to have a magical energy all its own. The evening is limited to 140 people. Reservations are available by calling the National Steinbeck Center at (831) 775-4722.

PARTNERS IN JAZZ

Partners play an important role in helping the Festival fund its Jazz Education Programs, with efforts led by Presenting Partner, Verizon, now celebrating their 24th year in partnership with the Monterey Jazz Festival.

• Borders returns for the second year, partnering with MJF/51 and with the Next Generation Festival. Borders will host an expanded store at the center of the MJF/51 midway, where artists will be signing CDs
• Korbel Champagne once again hosts Klub Korbel, a champagne bar in the Fairgrounds' Turf Club Patio featuring Arena simulcasts
• Returning partner JetBlue Airways continues to offer our fans low fares, new planes, and free DIRECTV at every comfy leather JetBlue seat. Fans are encouraged to book travel on JetBlue at jetblue.com.
• Monterey County favorites, Jekel and Five Rivers Wines, return as Official Wines, served throughout the MJF/51 grounds
• Yamaha, a long time partner of both the Festival and MJF's Jazz Education Programs, will once again be providing Yamaha pianos and drums on MJF/51 stages, and music on the Yamaha Disklavier with on the Courtyard Stage.
• North Coast Brewing Company returns as Official Beer for MJF/51, with a variety of North Coast brews available all around the grounds of the Monterey Jazz Festival, led by their lauded Brother Thelonious Belgian-style abbey ale.
• Apple/iTunes will be providing free music samplers to all MJF/51 attendees, featuring a collection of Monterey Jazz Festival artists.
• Returning Bay Area Media Partners, the San Jose Mercury News and KKSF, as well as JazzTimes and DownBeat Magazines, will be helping MJF get the word out about the Festival and its Jazz Education Programs.
• Macy's returns as sponsors of Family Day at Monterey, hosting special entertainment and activities for younger jazz fans and fun for the whole family on Sunday, September 21, 2008.

The Monterey Jazz Festival also receives invaluable support for the Festival and its Jazz Education Programs from the Surdna Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, The D'Addario Music Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from generous grantors, donors, and individual contributors.

The Monterey Jazz Festival encourages jazz fans to purchase tickets early for the 51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon. Arena Packages traditionally sell out quickly and are available only on a first come, first served basis. Last year's Grounds Tickets also sold out, so fans are advised to act quickly.

Tickets are now on sale on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by phone at (925) 275-9255.

MJF/51 Highlights Include:

• Return of jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Maceo Parker
• World Premiere of Commission Artist Maria Schneider’s new work
• Artist-In-Residence Christian McBride performs in acoustic, electric and big band groups
• Showcase Artist Matt Wilson at large on the grounds in creative contexts
• Tributes to legends with Nancy Wilson’s Tribute to Cannonball Adderley & Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman
• Vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Maraca, Nancy Wilson, Jamie Cullum, Ledisi, Ryan Shaw, Kurt Elling, Spencer Day, Tuck & Patti, Jamie Davis
• Cuban music with Maraca, Antonio Sanchez & Migration, Rebeca Mauleon & Afro-Kuban Fusion
• Lyons Lounge features Quantic and 4onefunk remixing jazz, hip-hop, and dance music
• Friday’s "New Grooves" featuring the Christian McBride Band, Rudder, Quantic, 4onefunkSunday’s “Hammond B-3 Blowout” featuring Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express & Barbara Dennerlein Trio
• Special conversations with Clint Eastwood & Jamie Cullum; Nancy Wilson; Cannonball Adderley panel; DownBeat Blindfold Test
• Lyons Lane featuring an MJF history review, “Through the Eyes of the Media"
• Return of Sunday's “Family Day” sponsored by Macy's, with fun for all ages
• Film screenings of Don Ellis: Electric Heart & My Name is Albert Ayler
• Continued releases from Monterey Jazz Festival Records, featuring rare and rarified recordings from the last 50 years on CD in conjunction with Concord Music Group

Arena/Lyons Stage Artists:

Friday, 9/19: Cassandra Wilson, Joshua Redman Trio, Maraca “Cuban Lullabies”

Saturday, 9/20: The Derek Trucks Band, Maceo Parker with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Ledisi, Nancy Wilson “Tribute to Cannonball Adderley” with Special Guests Terence Blanchard & Tom Scott; Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra debuts MJF/51 Commission; Christian McBride new Quintet

Sunday, 9/21: Jamie Cullum, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with Christian McBride, Winning High School Big Band from the Next Generation Festival, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter Quartet; Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman featuring Ernie Watts, ETHEL String Quartet & the Laurence Hobgood Trio

Partial List of Grounds Artists:

Friday, 9/19: Joshua Redman Trio, New Grooves with the Christian McBride Band, Rudder; Quantic & 4onefunk in Lyons Lounge; Matt Wilson Arts & Crafts, Spencer Day, Anat Cohen, Yaron Herman Trio, George Young Quartet, Berklee Latin Jazz All-Stars

Saturday, 9/20: Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Tom Scott “Celebrating Cannonball Adderley”; Maraca “Cuban Lullabies”; Maceo Parker; Matt Wilson & Bill Frisell Duo, Ledisi, Ryan Shaw, Tuck & Patti, Quantic, 4onefunk, Marc Cary Trio, La Tuque Bleue, Junko Moriya, Sadza, Antonio Sanchez & Migration, Rebeca Mauleón & Afro Kuban Fusion

Sunday, 9/20: Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman featuring Ernie Watts, ETHEL String Quartet & Laurence Hobgood Trio; Christian McBride new Quintet; Hammond B3 Blowout with Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express & Barbara Dennerlein Trio; Kyle Eastwood; Trio M with Myra Melford, Mark Dresser & Matt Wilson; Jamie Davis, Brian Blade Fellowship, Quantic, 4onefunk, La Tuque Bleue, Brass Menažeri; Family Day with ZunZun, the country’s best high school and college ensembles, DownBeat Blindfold Test, and more!

Tickets are now on sale on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by phone at (925) 275-9255.