Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
In Memoriam: Rodney Holmes, 1966–2026
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Dee Dee, Kurt and Lakecia raise the roof.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Music director Christian Sands stays in full control of the proceedings.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Lakecia Benjamin enjoys a moment with the crowd.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Clarence Penn stays forever locked in the groove.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Yasushi Nakamura lays down the bass line.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
Kurt Elling brings his cool to the proceedings.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
The ever expressive Dee Dee Bridgewater.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)
The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour band enjoys a standing ovation.
(Photo: Mark Sheldon)Vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Kurt Elling, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, pianist Christian Sands, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Clarence Penn delivered an amazing night of music as the Monterey Jazz Festival Tour begins its run across 12 states from January through April 2023 in celebration of the fest’s 65th anniversary.
On Jan. 19, with a stop in Palm Desert, California, the MJF Tour performed at the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts for 1,000 patrons who responded with a standing ovation and clear appreciation.
The full band opened with the familiar “Too Close For Comfort” featuring Bridgewater and Elling on vocals plus solos by Benjamin and Sands. Elling’s lyrics were featured on the tune “A Remark You Made,” plus a swinging rendition of “Did You Call Her Today” featuring the duo of Elling and Nakamura.
Bridgewater paid homage to Chick Corea with a vocal rendition of “Spain” (lyrics by Al Jarreau), followed by her reflection on “Bye Bye Blackbird,” the first song she ever sang at the MJF with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra.
One of the highlights of the night was a Benjamin original written in homage to John and Alice Coltrane titled “Trane.” Her fiery solo matched by the intensity of Sands on piano, drawing an inspired reaction from the crowd.
Sands as music director of the tour displayed full command of the night, but also shared an intimate arrangement of Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” with an opening piano solo and a bass solo by Nakamura.
The show concluded with the Eddie Harris classic “Compared To What” featuring the full band with a drum solo by Penn and even a nice rap by Benjamin. With personal reflections of their mentors and stories of early Monterey Jazz Fest performances, the night embraced the spirit and 65-year legacy of Monterey Jazz Fest and its tradition of bringing the music of the festival to jazz audiences across the country.
Click HERE for tickets and tour-date information. DB
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet will record live at New York’s Village Vanguard for ECM records on Aug. 26–27.
Jul 22, 2026 12:46 PM
One of Joe Lovano’s buzz terms is “the moment of now” and with seemingly infinite patience — despite a schedule…
“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.
Jun 16, 2026 1:27 AM
Gabrielle Cavassa is an avowed perfectionist. So when she failed to place despite becoming a finalist in the 2018 Sarah…
