The 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival was an ebullient, joyful weekend of music, programmed by new artistic director Darin Atwater.
There was a real joy in the main arena Friday night in the form of Samara Joy, in her third appearance at MJF, her first as an evening headliner.
Other highlights of the weekend included Japanese jazz pianist Hiromi, who wowed the main stage crowd on Saturday night, Lila Downs who on Sunday afternoon gave a spirited performance of songs from or about various regions of Mexico, and the legendary Mavis Staples.
There were many excellent performances from other musicians, including ones featured in this slide show: Keyon Harrold; Stanley Clark; Jason Moran and the Bandwagon; Somi; Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles; The Soul Rebels; Christie Dashiell Quartet; Endea Owens and the Cookout; Christian Pepin and Orquesta Bembé; Pedrito Martinez, and more.
(1) comment
Overall delighted with this year's program. As a long time season ticket holder, I'm curious to find out what others think about the performance schedule format change - all day programming without the breaks there were in the past, i.e. Friday 8:15 start to accommodate those that work; two distinct shows Saturday and Sunday respectively. Thanks.
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