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Herbie Hancock (left) and Ron Carter will make their first appearance together at Monterey in 34 years, and their first as a duo.
(Photo: Courtesy Monterey Jazz Festival)Single-Day Arena and Grounds Ticket Packages for the 69th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, to be held Sept. 25–27, are now on sale and can be purchased online at montereyjazz.org or by calling (888) 248-6499.
Single-Day Arena Tickets offer a reserved daily seat for shows on the Jimmy Lyons Stage in the Arena, plus access to all performances and activities on the four Grounds Stages that day. Single-Day Tickets Packages are $110 for Friday and $215 for Saturday or Sunday.
Single-Day Arena Lawn Tickets are $75 for Friday and $135 for Saturday or Sunday. Single-Day Ground Tickets are $65 for Friday and $90 for Saturday or Sunday.
The festival, the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world and now in its 69th year, will feature 73 performances from jazz masters and emerging artists, educational events and conversations on five stages. The festival experience offers 30 hours of live music spanning three days and nights, accompanied by 70 international cuisine, arts and crafts, and merchandise vendors on the oak-studded 20 acres of the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, located at 2000 Fairground Road in Monterey, California.
Blue Note recording artist Meshell Ndegeocello will serve as MJF69 Commission artist. The three-time Grammy-winning bassist and singer-songwriter will also be making her Monterey debut. Ndegeocello will perform a commissioned work titled America 250 to commemorate the semiquincentennial of the founding of the United States on the Jimmy Lyons Stage at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.
“I’m beyond thrilled for the 69th annual Monterey Jazz Festival,” said artistic adviser Gerald Clayton. “The diverse lineup of incredible artists perfectly represents jazz’s broad spectrum of beauty and expression. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-timer, this year’s festival promises to be a soulfully fulfilling event.”
The lineup on the Jimmy Lyons Stage begins on Friday night, Sept. 25. and includes the Eddie Palmieri Experience (a tribute to the late salsa master with special guests Alain Pérez, David Sánchez, Carlos Henriquez, Melissa Aldana and others) and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis with special guest Cécile McLorin Salvant. Friday Grounds artists include Ron Carter Foursight Quartet, Alexa Tarantino Quartet, Melissa Aldana Quartet, the J.J. Johnson Legacy Project and the USAF Commanders Jazz Ensemble.
The Saturday, Sept. 26, Arena lineup includes a Blues Jam with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram & Friends with special guest Shemekia Copeland; the only-in-Monterey “Monterey Surprise: Throwback to ’58” with soon-to-be-announced artists; Ravi Coltrane Quartet; Reggie Watts; Ngegeocello’s MJF69 commission piece; and Cécile McLorin Salvant. Saturday Grounds artists include Shemekia Copeland Band, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, David Sánchez’s Carib Ensemble, Linda May Han Oh Trio, Reggie Watts and more.
The Sunday, Sept. 27, Arena lineup includes Brittany Davis and Black Thunder; Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with Ambrose Akinmusire and Gerald Clayton; aja monet; Charles Lloyd Quartet; and Herbie Hancock & Ron Carter, making their first appearance together at the festival in 34 years and their first appearance as a duo. Sunday Grounds artists include Joey Alexander Quartet, The Bad Plus, Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet, Greg Hutchinson’s Kind of Now and Amy Tan & Joey Alexander performing Backyard Bird Chronicles live.
The full lineup and ticket info for the 69th Monterey Jazz Festival can be found online at montereyjazz.org. DB
Wilson’s ability to connect to audiences helped her to win two Grammy awards and multiple other accolades. She was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2022.
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