After canceling last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Monterey Jazz Festival is set to return in 2021 with terrific lineup that includes (so far) Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Terri Lyne Carrington , Pat Metheny and many other talents.
âAfter such a difficult year, we look forward to bringing the jazz community together in Monterey and celebrating our resilience,â said Colleen Bailey, Festival Executive Director.
The beloved three-day event, which many consider the most prestigious jazz festival in the world, returns to the Monterey County Fairgrounds from September 24-26. In addition to the artists mentioned above, this year’s program includes Christian Sands Group, Kandace Springs, Las Cafeteras, Miho Hazama and m_unit, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra conducted by Gerald Clayton.
âWe’re back! MJF returns with a well-curated lineup of fresh and familiar faces, including a new commission from Miho Hazama, a performance by our artist-in-residence Christian Sands and the debut of our 2021 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra conducted by Gerald Clayton The legacy and spirit of MJF lives on and we hope you will join us, âsaid Tim Jackson, artistic director of the festival.
All of these acts are expected to occur on the big stage of the festival’s Jimmy Lyons arena – which organizers say will be capped at 50% capacity in 2021 in order to “provide attendees with a safe and comfortable festival experience.”
The full lineup will be announced at a later date. Three-day tickets go on sale in July. Visit montereyjazzfestival.org for more information.
Here is the daily programming as it currently stands. All of these acts are scheduled for the Jimmy Lyons arena scene.
Friday September 24
Herbie Hancock
Pat Metheny Side-Eye
Saturday September 25
Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Sciences
Las Cafeterias
Miho Hazama and m_unit (2021 commission artist)
And surprise guests
Sunday September 26
Georges benson
Sources of Kandace
Christian Sands Group (artist in residence 2021)
Next Generation Jazz Orchestra conducted by Gerald Clayton
And surprise guests