52Nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival: a Warm Embrace of Traditional Jazz and New Break Out

52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival: A Warm Embrace of Traditional Jazz and New Break Out Artists

By Paula Edelstein

There are few places on earth as incredibly dynamic, quaint and picturesque as the Monterey Peninsula and the surrounding communities of Carmel, Big Sur and Salinas. In these world-renowned scenic environments, visitors have explored the settings for Steinbeck’s novels, and immersed themselves in the beauty, charm, tradition and history of the region. It is a mecca for artists, writers, actors, musicians and playwrights intent on creating and the annual festivals draw visitors from around the world.

One such festival is the Monterey Jazz Festival. Presented in an ecologically harmonious setting and now in its 52nd year, the annual 3-day event is THE must –visit destination during the third week of September. With Verizon as its premier partner for the past 25 years, and such partners as North Coast Brewing Company, Best Buy, Yamaha, Korbel, Jekel vineyards, Five Rivers winery and new partners CareFusion, keeping the festival stocked with great products, legions of fans enjoyed and embraced the joy of traditional jazz and new break out artists performing on 9 stages throughout the historic Monterey Fairgrounds.

This year’s festival featured the new MJF Farmers Market and the new Artisan Salad Bar. The Taste Tent featured samples of savory food (loved the Silver Moon Desserts!) and beverages while the Green Scene offered informative presentations that showcased furniture and furnishings made of handcrafted coconut palms and other environmentally-friendly materials.

The year-round jazz education programs have graduated an array of alumni who work with student musicians in a variety of performances and clinics at the Next General Festival, Summer Jazz Camp, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. This year’s Artist-In-Residence was Wynton Marsalis and the JLCO.

Jimmy Lyons Stage – Saturday

It’s the stage that brought you the platinum performances of the Miles Davis Quintet in 1962, Thelonious Monk in 1964, and Dizzy Gillespie in 1965. It’s the stage where Jimi Hendrix literally fired up his guitar and where Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company brought the house down with “Ball and Chain” during the Monterey International Pop Festival. It’s the stage where Sarah Vaughan in 1971 and Art Blakey and The Giants of Jazz in 1972 left the audience clamoring for more. Moreover, it is the stage named in honor of the beloved founder of the Monterey Jazz Festival, Mr. James (Jimmy) Lyons.

John Scofield and the Piety Street Band kicked off Saturday afternoon exploring the gospel genre that he documents on his latest CD called PIETY STREET. Scofield was followed by the legendary Pete Seeger who played banjo, guitar and sang in his inimitable folksy vocals. AT 90 years young, Seeger’s five-piece band was a hit with such folksongs as “Midnight Special,” Blue Skies,”“Guantanamera” and“This Land Is My Land,” which provided an appropriate intro to blues/rock singer Susan Tedeschi and her much appreciated sextet. Tedeshi’s blues-laden vocals conjured up memories of another Texan who rocked the stage in 1967 – the late Janis Joplin. Supported by Dave Yoke on guitar, Ron Holloway on tenor saxophone, and others, this set rocked with the great country, blues and rock flavors that made Southern accented music a favorite with Monterey Jazz Festival fans.

Due to health reasons, pianist Hank Jones was replaced by John Scofield in the Hank Jones and Joe Lovano Quartet. Joined by John Patitucci on bass and Brian Blade on drums, the quartet brought the audience alive with free-jazz that was really heated up by Blade’s awesome drumming. As this year’s Showcase Artist, Joe Lovano was absolutely amazing, providing all of the building blocks from which his band mates could launch their own narratives and improvised dramas. This set was warmly embraced and received a rousing applause at the end.

During the set change, MJF General Manager Tim Jackson made the presentation of a silver trumpet to be used by student trumpeters during subsequent MJF festivities. This silver trumpet commemorates Verizon’s Silver Anniversary as a premier partner with the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater got the audience totally involved in her Malian journey by sharing memories of her trip to Africa. As she launched into “Afro Blue,” the audience knew they were in for a real treat as fans whispered, “This is going to be good.” You could hear a pin drop as accompanists Edsel Gomez on piano, Ira Coleman on bass, Vince Cherico on drums and Luisito Quintero on percussion, presented their feelings while Bridgewater offered an array of songs that had the audience in the palm of her hands. “Long Time Ago,” which is based on Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints,” featured new lyrics penned by Bridgewater. Gomez’s piano solo got a sterling applause and was indeed memorable. Baden Powell’s samba titled “Let Me” was well-received; however it was Bridgewater’s sexy rendition of “Besa Me Mucho” that exposed a different side of her musical personality. Her elongated phrases and Spanish ambience heated things up in the chilly outdoor arena. “Four Women” (Nina Simone’s classic) got a powerful update and was enthusiastically welcomed. Bridgewater ended her set with Eddie Harris’ “Compared to What” and had everyone up and dancing in the aisles. Bridgewater’s smartly refurbished format was a real hit and gave MJF festival goers more than enough to warm up the night.

Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis was the arena’s finale on Saturday night. Marsalis has been successful as the festival’s Artist-In-Residence throughout the year and tonight, he and the JLCO put it all together with their swinging embrace of the old and new breakout tunes and show-stopping soloing. Opening with “Stage West,” the orchestra “represented” on every musical level. Marsalis’ solo received roaring approval even though this new arrival hadn’t been heard by many Monterey residents. Next, the orchestra premiered a new arrangement of “Blues Walk” by Sherman Irby. This composition, written by Lou Donaldson, was also ripe with great soloing. Irby’s alto sax was on fire and as was the plunger muted soloing of trombonist Vincent Gardener. However the biggest surprise came in the form of a new arrangement by Marsalis of Wayne Shorter’s “Free For All.” With amazing soloing by Walter Blanding on tenor and soprano saxophones and Marcus Printup on trumpet, this song was the crème de la crème of the set list and the audience felt their passion. The audience responded with a roaring ovation that segued into “Ciora.” This song featured the arrangement of former MJF Next Generation player Ted Nash. Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis had a welcome sense of swing sweetened by a smattering of narrative notes and hot solos that made this ensemble’s first impression a very lasting one.

Jimmy Lyons Arena - Sunday
Three Generations of Pianists

Joining the ranks of the great jazz pianists who have played Monterey, Jason Moran & The Bandwagon premiered its 2009 MJF Commission titled FEEDBACK. As the youngest artists to receive the prestigious MJF commission, the Jason Moran Trio featuring Nasheet Waits on drums and Tarus Mateen on bass captured the inspired creativity inherent in the piece which featured atonal pianist stylings from Moran which definitely gained the appropriate ‘feedback’ from audience members. From reports this writer received, their set was golden and ranked right up there with previously commissioned MJF works.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet celebrated the 50th anniversary of TIME OUTwith Bobby Militello on alto saxophone, and flute; the inimitable Dave Brubeck on piano, Michael Moore on bass and Randy Jones on drums. The fans reacted to the riveting, multi-skilled Brubeck with a standing ovation and the appreciation that a native son of the region rightly deserved. For more engaging music from Brubeck, check out 50 Years of Dave Brubeck: Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, 1958-2007 which documents Brubeck’s special musical relationship with the festival.

The Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White Trio rounded out the Sunday night performances within the Three Generations of Pianists program. Their appearance presented another opportunity for fans of the great pianist to experience his focus, musical currents, stellar improvising and overall genius in a trio setting.

The Garden Stage, Dizzy’s Den, The Nightclub and Coffee House Gallery

Monterey is unique from other festivals in that it offers several separate venues from which the artists can offer their special brands of jazz and knowledge. On the Garden Stage, blues singer Ruthie Foster sang songs by Lucinda Williams as Scottie Williams, Haden Binion, Tanya Richardson and Samantha Banks helped out. Later, the Alfredo Rodriquez Trio with Nathan East and Francisco Mela turned the fans out with their daring performance. In Dizzy’s Den, George Duke answered questions posed by Dan Ouellette in the Downbeat Blindfold Test. Later Saturday evening, the MJF/52 All Stars had lines wrapped around the buildings waiting to hear them in Dizzy’s Den. Over at The Nightclub, Pete Seeger held a concert for kids and invited them to join in such campfire favorites as “Coming Around the Mountain,” and others. The Rodriquez Brothers featuring Michael Rodriquez on trumpet and flugelhorn; Robert Rodriquez on piano, Matt Brewer on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums as well as the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet featuring Gerald Clayton on piano were among the more memorable acts at the Nightclub on Saturday. Vijay Iyer Trio and Peter Erskine-Alan Pasqua Trio who entertained fans in the Coffee House Gallery, were in the pocket and at their best.

Films in the Jazz Theatre

Ralph Gleason Presents the Anatomy of Vince Guaraldi, Music Is My Life, Politics of My Mistress: The Story of Oscar Brown, Jr.; and Dave Brubeck’s Cannery Row Suite, Live From the Monterey Jazz Festival were screened in the Jazz Theatre.

Overall, the dialogue at the Monterey Jazz Festival flowed beautifully on several levels including music, technology, film, food, art, crafts, health and through environmentally conscious endeavors. As one of the premiere destinations in the world, the 52nd Annual Monterey jazz Festival had something for everyone. It maintained its tradition of quality entertainment and put the focus back where it belongs with its extra special treatment of the jazz stars, information, education and overall presentation. For more information regarding the Monterey Jazz Festival, please visit their website at