All That Jazz

Saxophonist Joshua Redman has become a regular at the Monterey Jazz Festival. In 2016, pictured, he played multiple sets including one featuring music by his father, Dewey Redman.

his September’s festival marks the 60th annual running of this venerable event. Monterey Jazz Festival Artistic Director Tim Jackson is taking the occasion to curate quite a lineup, including socially conscious rapper Common, Hamilton’s Leslie Odom, Jr. and Dee Dee Bridgewater, which was announced as this issue hits the streets.

“I am so happy and proud to announce the great artists we will present this year,” Jackson says. “This will be a lineup worthy of Monterey’s history – and one that will make some history of its own.”

The event goes down Sept. 15-17, 2017, when some 500 artists convene for over 100 shows on eight different stages over three nights and two days at what has become one of the world’s greatest jazz festivals.

Arena headliners appear here; for a complete lineup of artists who play elsewhere on the grounds, visit montereyjazzfestival.org. Ticket sales begin April 1.

Friday

2017 MJF Jazz Legend Award Honoree: Herbie Hancock

Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie at 100: Kenny Barron Trio with special guests Roy Hargrove, Sean Jones, Pedrito Martinez

2017 MJF Showcase Artist Regina Carter: “Simply Ella”

Saturday

The Memphis Project: Dee Dee Bridgewater

The Mississippi Blues Child: Mr. Sipp

Global Fusion – South American Style: Monsieur Periné

Celebrating a MJF Legend – A Tribute to Sonny Rollins: Featuring Jimmy Heath, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman and Gerald Clayton, Scott Colley and Lewis Nash

From the Broadway hit Hamilton: Leslie Odom, Jr.

2017 MJF Commission: Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with special guests Gerald Clayton Trio premiering John Clayton’s Stories of a Groove: Conception, Evolution, Celebration

Sunday

Black America Again: rapper Common

Celebrating the Thelonious Monk Centennial: John Beasley Presents MONK’estra

Jazz Futures: Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Paul Contos with artists-in-residence John Clayton, Gerald Clayton, Jeff Hamilton (see story, p. 32)

Two Masters/Two Pianos: Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea

Africa Meets Cuba: Angélique Kidjo’s Celia Cruz Tribute with Pedrito Martinez

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