Monterey Jazz Festival

Friday, September 24 - Sunday, September 26, 2021

This year’s three-day Festival harkens back to MJFʻs roots, featuring performances on the Jimmy Lyons Stage in the Arena and the Courtyard Stage only. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will be required to enter the event.Aa physical copy, digital copy or a photo of the vaccine card along with a photo ID that matches is required.

The 64th Monterey Jazz Festival features a multiple GRAMMY-Award winning lineup including Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Ledisi, Christian Sands Group, Kandace Springs, Las Cafeteras, Miho Hazama and m_unit, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Gerald Clayton, Immanuel Wilkins, Giveton Gelin, Mimi Fox Organ Trio and the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo directed by Katie Thiroux.

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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 in previous years includes Chris Botti, Diana Krall, Kenny Barron, Dave Holland and many others. Visit the official site for a full listing of the scheduled performances that grace the eight Monterey Jazz Festival stages.

10 Reasons to Visit the Monterey Jazz Festival

Mission

The Monterey Jazz Festival is more than just a three-day event. As a nonprofit, Monterey Jazz Festival is devoted to education by presenting year-round local, regional, national, and international programs. Schools in Monterey County and thousands of students have been the benefactors of the Festival’s educational efforts through the Traveling Clinicians Program, Summer Jazz Camp and Monterey County All-Star Bands, which embark on annual performance trips each summer. The Festival now spends over $500,000 annually on its programs, including the Next Generation Jazz Festival, gathering the best student bands from across the nation each spring, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, selecting the country’s best musicians for summer tour each year, and the Artist-In-Residence program, which brings an renowned artist to work with young musicians in performances and clinics at the Next Generation Jazz Festival, Summer Jazz Camp, and at the Monterey Jazz Festival.