Ticket Packages on Sale Now; Single-Day Tickets on Sale May 5
MONTEREY, Calif. (April 14, 2023) – The Monterey Jazz Festival, the world’s longest continuously-running jazz festival, proudly announces its lineup for the 66th incarnation September 22-24. Headliners include Herbie Hancock, Thundercat, Dianne Reeves, Snarky Puppy, Samara Joy, Jamie Cullum, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Ticket packages are on sale now.
The Monterey Jazz Festival is renowned for its cutting-edge variety and diversity in performers. This year is no exception. In addition to the main Arena stage, four stages throughout the fairgrounds will offer dynamic settings to showcase a variety of performances in more intimate settings. Some of those acts include Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke, Billy Childs Quartet featuring Sean Jones, Donny McCaslin, American Patchwork Quartet; The Trio: Gerald Clayton, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton; Connie Han Trio, and many more exciting artists.
As an enduring example of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s ongoing commitment to youth music education, the festival will feature performances by the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, directed by pianist Gerald Clayton and the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo, directed by bassist Katie Thiroux. Charismatic and dynamic alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, Monterey Jazz Festival’s Artist-in-Residence will also perform with both student groups and with her own band, Phoenix.
Each year, the Monterey Jazz Festival commissions an artist to compose an original composition to be debuted at the festival. Past commissioned artists include Kris Bowers, Miho Hazama, Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Wayne Shorter, and many more. The tradition continues, as former Artist-in-Residence and Next Generation Jazz Orchestra alum Ambrose Akinmusire returns as this year’s commissioned artist. He presents Isakosa Ara (meaning “pulse” in Yoruba). Malian singer Oumou Sangaré joins him on what promises to be a thrilling performance.
Guitarist John Scofield is the Monterey Jazz Festival’s 2023 Showcase Artist. In addition to a performance with his latest collaboration, affectionately called Yankee Go Home, he also teams with Scary Goldings, a dynamic “supergroup” featuring veteran jazz organist Larry Goldings and the very funky band Scary Pockets. He will also perform a solo concert with music from his new solo project on ECM Records, John Scofield.
Added to the festival schedule is the soul-stirring Sunday gospel concert, “We’ve Come This Far,” led by acclaimed pianist and conductor Tammy L. Hall and featuring the Texas Southern University Choir.
The 66th Monterey Jazz Festival marks the end of an era as Artistic Director Tim Jackson steps down after 32 years. “It has been the thrill of a lifetime to program the Monterey Jazz Festival for the last three decades. I am very excited about my final year and feel that I have put together a program that encapsulates my philosophy of musical diversity that mixes intense listening with a spirit of adventure and fun and features an array of artists that include plenty of new faces and a reunion of good friends. I hope you enjoy the party!” he said.
For a complete artists lineup, schedule, background information, and listening samples, please click here.
Ticket Information and Pricing:
- 3-Day Arena reserved seat packages start at $430 and offers access to all performances on the Jimmy Lyons Stage as well as other stages throughout the fairgrounds.
- 3-Day Arena Lawn General Admission tickets offer full access to all the Arena performances at $295 without reserved seating on the lawn. Chairs will be available for rent.
- Single-Day Arena tickets include a reserved seat for all Arena shows and Ground Stages for one day of the festival at $99 for Friday, or $199 for Saturday or Sunday.
- Single-Day Arena Lawn tickets include a General Admission ticket for all Arena shows and Ground Stages for one day of the festival at $85 for Friday, or $125 for Saturday or Sunday.
- Full Weekend Grounds tickets include access to all Grounds stages, food, and beverage vendors for the weekend at $195. Grounds tickets do not include access to the Arena stage.
- Single-Day Grounds tickets for one day of the festival for access to all Grounds stages, food, and drink vendors at $60 Friday, or $85 Saturday or Sunday. Grounds tickets to do not include access to the Arena stage.
- Please check the website for military and student discounts.
For interview opportunities, high-resolution photographs and other MJF information, please contact:
Lauren Tobin
Director of Media and Strategic Relations
lauren@montereyjazzfestival.org
For additional information, please visit: www.montereyjazzfestival.org.
About the Monterey Jazz Festival
Founded in 1958 by the late Jimmy Lyons and late jazz critic Ralph Gleason, the Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest-continuously running jazz festival in the world. Set upon the oak-filled grounds at the scenic Monterey Fairgrounds, the festival has hosted virtually every major jazz artist in recent history, including Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. In addition to the annual presentation of an iconic jazz festival, Monterey Jazz Festival is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) whose mission is to provide year-round opportunities for jazz education and performance for youth of all ages and backgrounds.