Refusing to be stunted by a global pandemic, acknowledging the need for musical education in these fraught times when systemic ethnocentrism is on the rise, the 63rd edition of the Monterey Jazz Festival is going virtual. Presenting a line-up that features performances from Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, tributes to Dave Brubeck and Quincy Jones, and political activist, philosopher, Professor Angela Davis in conversation with musician, composer, jazz drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, it’s a festival that fits the moment.
Taking place Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27 from 5-7pm each day on the MJF Youtube channel, participants will be treated to never-before-seen archival footage plus exciting new performances and personal messages from artists, volunteers, patrons, and board members.
“We recognize that jazz comes from the heart of Black culture, and during these volatile times where America is facing its legacy of racial injustice, we asked ourselves what the Monterey Jazz Festival could do to support the Black community,” says Colleen Bailey, Executive Director. Our historical legacy has always been to serve as a platform for artists to share social justice messages, and now we can be a platform for artists as well as the organizations that are on the front line of this important work.”
All proceeds from the event will support the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the jazz artists featured at the Virtual Festival. Organizers have stated the Virtual Festival will be a celebration of jazz legends and an introduction to up-and-coming stars.
“I’m excited to share with you our first virtual festival,” stated Tim Jackson, Artistic Director. “I’ve worked hard to assemble exciting archival performances by some of your favorite Monterey artists as well as new and exclusive performances and interviews. While I’ll miss seeing you in person this year, I look forward to connecting with all of you during our virtual weekend together.”
Die-hard MJF fans and newcomers alike will not be disappointed in the expansive line up:
Friday, September 25, 2020
Herbie Hancock
Dianne Reeves
Roy Hargrove & RH Factor
Terri Lyne Carrington – Mosaic Project
Christian McBride & Inside Straight
Jamie Cullum
2020 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence, Christian Sands
2020 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Directed by Gerald Clayton
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Diana Krall
Tribute to Dave Brubeck: Cannery Row Suite featuring Kurt Elling & Roberta Gambarini
Kenny Barron Trio
Regina Carter
Our Native Daughters:Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell
Clint Eastwood in Conversation, hosted by Tim Jackson
Berklee Institute of Jazz & Gender Justice Quintet -Founder & Director-Terri Lyne Carrington
2020 Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo Directed by Katie Thiroux
2020 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Directed by Gerald Clayton
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Tribute to Quincy Jones, “The A&M Years”, featuring Hubert Laws and Valerie Simpson
Sonny Rollins Tribute featuring Jimmy Heath, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, and Joshua Redman
Anat Cohen Tentet
2012 MJF on Tour with Musical Director Christian McBride and Dee Dee Bridgewater on vocals
2018 MJF On Tour with Musical Director Christian Sands and Cécile McLorin Salvant on vocals
Gerald Clayton Quartet
Angela Davis in conversation with Terri Lyne Carrington
Lila Downs
2020 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Directed by Gerald Clayton
There are some creative ways to enjoy these exclusive performances. To kick things off the week before, SiriusXM Real Jazz will broadcast a daily one hour show featuring content straight from the Monterey Jazz Festival archives, including special performances from Roy Hargrove, recordings from MJF Records, and the 2019 Monterey Jazz Festival. The shows will be hosted by 2020 Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence, Christian Sands, and will air Monday thru Thursday at 8pm on SiriusXM Real Jazz channel 67.
Monterey area residents and attendees can take advantage of several safe, socially distanced watching parties:
Monterey County Fairgrounds: The home of Monterey Jazz Festival hosts two nights of drive-in style watching parties. The Drive-In style screening starts at 5pm with virtual MJF63 and then concludes with Clint Eastwood’s movie True Crime on Friday and Play Misty for Me on Saturday.
The Monterey Jazz Festival runs Fri/25-Sun/27. Click here for more info.
