Monterey Jazz Festival
2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey (831) 373-3366, montereyjazzfestival.org
The brainchild of a men’s club that operated out of Ed Ricketts’ home and lab, this local jazz festival has grown. A lot. Over 60 years, it has rung in performers like Dizzy Gillespie (18 times), Louis Armstrong and Etta James. More recently the festival has put on headlining performers like bass queen Esperanza Spalding, Grammy-winner Common and Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr.. Plus, they’re doing a great job seeding the future of the genre with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, which means a second weekend of the year in Monterey is packed with jazz music – and the student shows are free to attend.