Saturday, 12:30 p.m. — The Fairgrounds Now that the frantic pace of Friday night has been left behind, Saturday afternoon offers the first real chance to walk around at leisure and soak in the atmosphere of the Monterey Jazz Festival. Gigantic outdoor parties are always fun, of course, but there’s something special about the atmosphere [...]
A few snapshots from the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
Friday, 9:30 p.m. — The spirits of departed Bay Area jazz legends Eddie Marshall and Ron Stallings loom large over a strong set by Santos and his no-nonsense crew.
Friday, 8:00 p.m. — Sung’s trio performance at the Coffee House Gallery stage is tightly coordinated and dynamic, powering through bop grooves and prancing through delicately constructed original compositions.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. — Robert Glasper’s trio sets the tone for the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival with a set that’s soulful, gentle, yet deliciously complex.
Like the song says, “checking in at Monterey” is better than almost anything. But covering a festival this busy has its challenges too.
The Jazz Observer is back, and what better way to relaunch than with a trip to Monterey? It’s time for the 54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, and once again I’ll be on the scene with live reports throughout the weekend.
