Monterey Jazz Festival Wins Best Festival in 2014 JazzTimes Readers Poll

Monterey, Calif.; January 22, 2015; Monterey Jazz Festival is pleased to announce that it was voted as the #1 Festival in the 2014 JazzTimes Readers Poll in the “Best of the Jazz Industry” category for the second year in a row, and the fifth time since 2006. The 57th Monterey Jazz Festival took top honors over the Newport, New Orleans, and Montreal jazz festivals respectively.

“We are delighted that the Monterey Jazz Festival has continued in the top position with JazzTimes readers,” said Tim Jackson, Monterey Jazz Festival artistic director.  “Our organization works diligently to produce creative, challenging and fun events that honor both the legacy of our history and the amazing musicians who participate each year.”

Monterey Jazz Festival has previously won the JazzTimes Readers Poll in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2013. The Festival was voted in the runner-up position in 2010 and 2012, and placed #3 in 2011.

The JazzTimes Readers Poll, established in 1990, is a fan-based online poll, and covers a variety of categories. Some of the top musicians who performed at the 57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival were also voted as winners, including Ambrose Akinmusire (Artist of the Year, #1; Best New Release, The Imagined Savior is Far Easier to Paint, #1; Best Acoustic Small Group, #3; Best Trumpet, #3); Herbie Hancock (Best Piano, #1, Best Electric Keyboard, #1, and Best Electric Jazz Group, #3); Christian McBride (Best Acoustic Bass, #1); and Brian Blade (Best Drums, #1).

Other MJF57 artists in the poll include Eric Harland (#3 Drums); Cecile McLorin Salvant (#2 New Artist and #2 Female Vocalist); Jon Batiste (#3 New Artist); Melissa Aldana (#4 New Artist); Bobby Hutcherson (#2 Vibraphone); Zakir Hussain #2 Percussionist); Marcus Miller (#2 Electric Bass); and Billy Childs (#4 Arranger). More information can be found on the JazzTimes Web site, www.jazztimes.com.

The 58th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place September 18-20, 2015, with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as Artist-In-Residence. Trumpeter and composer Ambrose Akinmusire will be the Commission Artist and will premiere a new work on the Jimmy Lyons Stage in the Arena.

About Monterey Jazz Festival
The Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates the legacy of jazz, expands its boundaries, and provides opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs.

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For more information, high-resolution pictures and interview opportunities please contact:

For more information please contact:
Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
Direct Line: 831.646.8670
Monterey Office: 831.373.3366
[email protected]
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Monterey Jazz Festival Partners:
North Coast Brewing, Scheid Family Wines, Kaiser Permanente, Alaska Airlines, Yamaha, The Jazz Cruise, Inns of Monterey, Macy’s, Hyatt Regency, Small Planet Foods, Amoeba Music, TD Ameritrade. Pandora, KUSP 88.9FM, DownBeat, JazzTimes, KSBW/Central Coast ABC, Gallien-Krueger, Remo, Zildjian, Big Sur Land Trust, Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey Regional Airport, StreamGuys, Chukchansi
Monterey Jazz Festival also receives support for its Jazz Education Programs from:
ACTION Council of Monterey County, Arts Council for Monterey County, AT&T Foundation, California Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Monterey County, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.; D’Addario Music Foundation, 1st Capital Bank, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Harden Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Integrated Wealth Counsel, LLC; Jamieson Foundation, James Irvine Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Pebble Beach Company Foundation, Quest Foundation, Rotary International, Upjohn California Fund, Scheid Family Wines, Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop, and generous individual contributors.