ABOVE: Top to bottom, L-R columns: Allison Miller, Don Was, Antonio Sánchez, Angela Davis, Maxine Gordon, Kenny Barron & Dave Holland, Derrick Hodge, Chris Botti
Each year at the Monterey Jazz Festival, we are proud to include conversations and interviews with artists and to shed light on topics relevant to the jazz world. In 2019, we are pleased to present 15 of these informative jazz education sessions on the Grounds all weekend.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
L-R: Kenny Barron, Gerald Clayton, James Francies, Allison Miller, Shamie Royston
At 5:30pm on Friday, September 27, join noted journalists Andrew Gilbert and Pamela Espeland in the Pacific Jazz Café for JAZZ 101: A MJF Primer – a preview and overview of the artists performing at MJF62. If you have never been to Monterey, this will be an opportunity to hear about the themes and styles of our artists so you can make a plan based on your tastes. We also recommend that you download the Official MJF62 App so you can keep track of everything you’re interested in!
At 6:45 in the Blue Note at Sea Tent, we will also present a Piano Conversation with Kenny Barron, Gerald Clayton and James Francies, hosted by Don Was. Then at 9pm we present Remembering Mary Lou Williams with 2019 Artist-in-Residence Allison Miller, Shamie Royston, Carmen Staaf and Jean Baylor, talking about the legendary pianist. Seating will be limited.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
L-R: Kenny Barron, Dave Holland, Don Was, Chris Botti, Derrick Hodge
Come and hear our 2019 Jazz Legends Honorees, Kenny Barron and Dave Holland in our MJF Conversation Series, hosted by Willard Jenkins in the Pacific Jazz Café at 3pm.
The Blue Note at Sea Tent will have five events on Saturday, including Blue Note President Don Was in conversation with Blue Note Producer Joe Harley (2pm); a Blue Note Listening Session with Don Was (4pm); an information session about The Jazz Cruise Programs at 5:30pm; Chris Botti in Conversation with Don Was (7pm); and at 8:45pm, a discussion and Q&A about the film Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes with 2019 Artist-in-Residence Derrick Hodge with Don Was. After the discussion, there will be a signing at approximately 9:30pm. Seating is limited.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
L-R: Antonio Sánchez, Dexter Gordon, Bob James, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn
DownBeat Magazine and noted journalit Dan Ouellette host the always-popular Blindfold Test with Antonio Sánchez at 2pm in the Pacific Jazz Café. Antonio will have to identify and discuss the music and musicians who perform on selected recordings without knowing them in advance!
The MJF Conversation Series continues with Sophisticated Giant: The Life & Legacy of Dexter Gordon with Maxine Gordon, and hosted by Angela Davis at 3:45pm in the Pacific Jazz Café.
The Blue Note at Sea Tent will host four events, starting at 2pm with a Blue Note Listening Session with Don Was. At 3pm, 2019 Artist-in-Residence Derrick Hodge will host a bass Masterclass, and at 5:30pm, Bob James, David Sanborn and Marcus Miller will discuss their hit album, Double Vision in a conversation with Blue Note Label President Don Was. The final event will be an information session about The Jazz Cruise Programs at 7pm.