Monterey Jazz Festival
September 17-19, 2010
The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest-running annual jazz event in the world, premiered on October 3, 1958 with San Francisco jazz radio broadcaster Jimmy Lyons as its founder. 43,000+ fans are expected to attend the 53rd edition of the two-day and three-night celebration that lasts from September 17th through the 19th, 2010. The Festival features over 500 artists performing on eight stages spread over the 20-acre Monterey Fairgrounds in Monterey, California.
Music
Whether you prefer jazz, blues, folk, or American song, the discerning jazz music fan is sure to find both old favorites and visionary new artists to love at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Notable performers to appear at 2010's Monterey Jazz Festival include Harry Connick Jr., Dianne Reeves, Freedom Band with Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Roy Haynes, Nellie McKay, Billy Childs with the Kronos Quartet, Angelique Kidjo, and Les Nubians. Visit the official site for a full listing of the 500+ performers scheduled to grace the 8 Monterey Jazz Festival stages.
Mission
The Monterey Jazz Festival is more than just a three-day event. The primary purpose of the not-for-profit festival is to fund jazz education programs throughout the United States. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised each year by the Festival and its associated activities, providing scholarships for promising young musicians. Top student musicians are also invited to participate in the "Next Generation Festival" each spring.
Other Activities
If you need a break from the live music, the Monterey Jazz Festival has plenty of other activities to keep you entertained. The Taste Tent features wine and champagne from the several Festival partners: Five Rivers Winery, Korbel champagne and Jekel Vineyards, as well as beers from the North Coast Brewing Co. and food from several local Monterey restaurants. The Festival also features an auction of unique jazz items and memorabilia, jazz-related vendors, an exhibition on the history of the Festival complete with memorabilia, DJs, and jazz movies.
Children's Activities
Sunday, September 19th is Family Day at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Family Day includes expanded activities and entertainment featuring the popular Percussion Playshop, Jazzy Jumper, and Yamaha's Instrument Petting Zoo, where kids can get hands-on experience playing professional-level equipment. There is also an Arts and Crafts area where kids can express themselves on paper while listening to jazz. Family Day celebrates the youth of today and the musicians of tomorrow with area high school jazz bands, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and the top ensembles from the 2010 Next Generation Festival.
Monterey Jazz Festival Hotels
Hotels in Monterey as well as nearby cities like Carmel, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Marina often sell out well in advance of the Monterey Jazz Festival, one of the most popular annual Monterey, California events. Reserve as far ahead as you can and be sure to check our Specials page for the latest hot hotel deals!
Monterey Jazz Festival Tickets
Daily Grounds Tickets, available for advance purchase from $35 for adults and $15 for children between the ages of 2 and 18, allow one general admission to the Festival grounds. Grounds Ticket prices increase by $5 per day when purchased between Tuesday, September 14 and Sunday, September 19.
Full event Arena 3-Day Packages, available from $225, include tickets for the same reserved seat in the Arena for all five shows on the Jimmy Lyons Stage over the Festival weekend, plus access to the grounds. 3-Day Grounds Packages, starting at $110, consist of three Grounds Tickets; one for each day of the Festival. New to this year's Monterey Jazz Festival is the $80 Family Discount Pack that includes two adult and two youth tickets.
Tickets are available by phone at 925.275.9255 and at the Monterey Jazz Festival online ticket office. For more information, including a detailed schedule and access to the free Monterey Jazz Festival iTunes Jazz Sampler, see the official Monterey Jazz Festival website.
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