Jazz musicians are an eclectic lot: highly individualistic and nonconformist— dancing to their own drummers, so to speak. They sing in chorus, however, when it comes to educating young people in the language of their chosen musical genre. From its inception 54 years ago, the Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) has funded programs designed to pass the torch onto the next generation of … [Read more...] about Monterey Jazz Festival’s Full Circle
One Man, Many Voices
"So it went on—a profession older than writing, and one that will probably survive when the written word has disappeared. And all the sterile wonders of movies and television and radio will fail to wipe it out—a living man in communication with a living audience." —John Steinbeck, "Travels with Charley" A living man in communication with a living audience. This is Steinbeck … [Read more...] about One Man, Many Voices
The Shape of California Surfing
Terry Martin has been carving surfboards for 55 years, 40 of those for Hobie Sports. He has personally "shaped" more than 70,000 surfboards. His is just one of the stories explored in a new film, Shaped, produced and directed by Walter Georis, a Carmel restaurateur, winery owner and musician. The movie is a homage to the people who made the surfing industry what it is today. … [Read more...] about The Shape of California Surfing
Harry Connick Jr.
Hold a conversation about Harry Connick Jr. and chances are that sooner or later the term "Renaissance man" will pop up. Singer, musician, songwriter, arranger, composer, stage, screen and television actor, humanitarian, activist. And he's got three Grammys and an Emmy on his mantle—what doesn't this guy do? Asked the proverbial "desert island" question: If you had to choose … [Read more...] about Harry Connick Jr.
Sounds of Past and Present
Nine-time Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis brings the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to the Monterey Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday nights. Despite its standing as the longest continuously running jazz festival on Earth, the Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) will never be accused of resting on its laurels. Under the masterful booking hand of General Manager Tim Jackson, new … [Read more...] about Sounds of Past and Present