59th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Wraps Up Weekend of Historic Performances

The 59th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival wrapped up Sunday, September 18 after a weekend of debut artists, returning masters and new favorites. Over 36,600 fans came through the gates of the Monterey County Fairgrounds during the weekend of September 16-18. The weekend featured a festival record-breaking 115 performances of diverse styles of music from around the globe, from tributes and piano trios; big bands to modern jazz, Cuban, blues and fusion groups, mixed with historic conversations, films, and exhibits.

Musical Highlights: Friday
The Festival began on Friday, September 18 with the return of the GRAMMY-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvantand Richard Bona's Mandekan Cubano, followed by the trendsetting tribute to Quincy Jones, The A&M Years. Quincy would be an ever-present force all weekend long, and the tribute featured standout performances from Hubert Laws, James Carter, Valerie Simpson, and Grégoire Maret. Introduced by Clint Eastwood, Quincy was an ever-present force all weekend long, and he came to the stage to conduct the big band as they performed the encore, "Killer Joe."

On the Grounds, Berklee College of Music's Mixcla +1 made a stunning debut on the Garden Stage, followed by theAlfredo Rodriguez Quartet and the traditional jazz of Bria Skonberg. Dizzy's Den was packed for Josh Redman's Still Dreaming and for the repeat performance from Cécile McLorin Salvant. The Night Club was host to the drummer/vocalist Jamison Ross, the classic Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio and an exuberant world-music mashup fromTroker. The Coffee House Gallery featured three sets from the Orleans-based pianist, Sullivan Fortner.

Musical Highlights: Saturday
Davina and the Vagabonds got the Saturday Arena shows off to a joyous start, with Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles and Maceo Parker bringing in inspired performances. In the evening, The Bad Plus Joshua Redmanplayed an intense and inspiring set, with Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project and Branford Marsalis and Kurt Elling making a dynamic splash. Joining Marsalis and Elling were Ingrid Jensen and Tia Fuller for the finale of "St. James Infirmary."

The Garden Stage Presented by HepCHope.com saw nearly every set filled, with blues from the Guitarsonists,Davina and the Vagabonds and Cory Henry's second sets, and Tony Lindsay, but perhaps the largest Grounds audience of the weekend was for the Joey Alexander Trio, the largest since Trombone Shorty's debut in 2010. Standout performances from the 46 Saturday events included Mixcla +1, the Stanley Cowell Trio, a standing-room-only conversation with Quincy Jones and Clint Eastwood, Somi, Christian McBride Trio, John Patitucci's Electric Guitar Quartet, Lew Tabackin with Randy Brecker, and more.

Musical Highlights: Sunday
Sunday's 52 shows began with youthful start with the 2016 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, which featured the country's finest high school student musicians and Artist-In-Residence, Terri Lyne Carrington. One of the most anticipated artists of the weekend, Kamasi Washington, then took the stage in a powerful and modern set, followed by Gregory Porter, who "transformed the arena into a church" according to the Seattle Times.

The evening's Arena performances were kicked off by the Wayne Shorter Quartet playing their knotty brand of jazz and then premiered the 2016 MJF Commission "The Unfolding," a dense and intriguing piece of music. Pat Methenyplayed a rollicking set with his new Quartet and then Jacob Collier made his MJF and West Coast debut with a mesmerizing, psychedelic one-man show that pointed towards of the technological possibilities of music presentation.

Standout performances from Sunday's 52 shows included the Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy, the Montclair Women's Big Band, Elena Pinderhughes, Banda Magda, Donny McCaslin, Bill Frisell, the Joshua Redman Quartet, and the always-legendary Hammond B3 Blowout with Ronnie Foster, Steve Stryker and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

All Saturday and Sunday, an expanded lineup of 20 events on the North Coast Brewing Company Jazz Education Stage from student groups, ranging from the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, school combos and alumni, to student jam sessions, a percussion workshop, and Zumba classes presented by HepCHope.com. Energetic top bands from the 2016 Next Generation Jazz Festival performed in the Night Club along with the Festival's own honor ensembles.

All weekend long, James Francies was featured on the Courtyard Stage, and the Coffee House Galley exhibit presented Miles, Quincy and Trane at Monterey 1960-72, a photo retrospective.

The Jazz Theater also showed simulcasts of the Arena performances, as well as screenings of the documentariesBrownie Speaks: The Life, Music & Legacy of Clifford Brown and Thomas Chapin, Night Bird Song.

Tim Jackson Receives Berklee College of Music's George Wein Impresario Award
Berklee College of Music presented Tim Jackson, artistic director of the Monterey Jazz Festival, with the George Wein Impresario Award on Saturday, September 17 on the Jimmy Lyons Arena Stage. Jackson has been shaping the iconic annual event for 25 years. Named after legendary Newport Jazz Festival founder George Wein, the award recognizes individuals who bring music to life through their dedication to discovering, mentoring, presenting, and promoting creative musicians and their music.

Berklee senior vice president for academic affairs/provost Larry Simpson presented the award to Jackson accompanied by Carlo Pagnotta, founder of the Umbria Jazz Festival (and previous George Wein Award Winner); MJF59 Artist-In-Residence Terri Lyne Carrington, MJF board of directors Clint Eastwood and Luis M. Alvarez; bassist Christian McBride, Quincy Jones, MJF59 Showcase Artist Joshua Redman, and Berklee Assistant Vice President Rob Hayes. Download a picture of the presentation here.

Yamaha Celebrates 40 Years with Monterey Jazz Festival
Celebrating their 40th Anniversary of partnership with Monterey Jazz Festival, Yamaha Corporation of America has provided world-class instruments for the festival's eight stages and rehearsal areas on the 20 acres of the Monterey County Fairgrounds since 1976. At the same time, the world's largest musical instrument company has held a steadfast commitment to the festival's educational programs to create, nurture and develop young jazz musicians. As the official supplier of drum sets and pianos during the three-day festival, Yamaha has helped artists create consistent and exceptional sound quality both for the musicians and concertgoers alike.

2016 Partners Help Support Jazz Education
HepCHope.com presented the Garden Stage, and North Coast Brewing Company, celebrating their 11th year as Official Monterey Jazz Festival Beers, hosted the North Coast Brewing Jazz Education Stage for the second year in a row. Scheid Family Wines, Official Wines of Monterey Jazz Festival, hosted the District 7 Premier Club, andDownBeat, JazzTimes, The Jazz Cruise, Larabar, Macy's, Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Francisco Chronicleand others hosted booths on the Midway. And in support of getting younger children exposed to instruments, Yamahahosted the Yamaha Experience Tent all weekend and the popular Instrument Petting Zoo featured during Sunday'sFamily Day.

The announcement of 2017 Monterey Jazz Festival Arena and Grounds artists will be made in spring 2017, when tickets for the 60th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will be available for purchase.

The 60th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place on the Monterey County Fairgrounds, September 15-17, 2017, with more than 500 artists performing on 8 stages for 3 nights and 2 days of the world's best jazz.

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