The Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF) has announced the programming for its 65th edition on September 23-25, 2022. The lineup features a broad cross-section of contemporary and mainstream jazz, along with influences from blues, gospel, and world music. Scroll down to see the full list.
The festival will debut the latest edition of its Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour group, which will be directed by Christian Sands and feature Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Lakecia Benjamin, Yasushi Nakamura, and Clarence Penn. Tim Jackson, the festival’s longtime artistic director, said the festival has multiple criteria for choosing the MJF on Tour group. “Our parameters are a multi-generational, gender-diverse band that reflect MJF values,” Jackson explained to JazzTimes. “The participating artists almost always have histories with the festival and understand the MJF ethos. We like the bands to be fun and swinging and have the flexibility to go in different directions and configurations. New, original material is encouraged.” Reflecting its commitment to diversity, the festival features a wide range of female jazz artists including Artemis, Brandee Younger, Samara Joy, Melody Gardot, Kim Nalley, and Fleurine, as well as the MJF Women in Jazz Combo, led by bassist/vocalist/composer Katie Thiroux, and the Berklee Jazz and Gender Justice Group.
Jackson said that the festival’s longstanding audience of passionate and committed jazz fans has made a huge difference in navigating the post-pandemic environment. “Every year, our September weekend is circled on their calendars and we are grateful for their loyalty and don’t take it for granted,” Jackson said. “The pandemic has certainly thrown them for a loop as it pertains to MJF. However, our pre-sale for this year is very strong and the excitement is in the air. Our folks are clearly ready to reclaim their festival.”
Tickets go on sale today (April 11). For tickets and further information, visit the festival’s website or call 888-248-6499.
The complete lineup for the Monterey Jazz Festival (in alphabetical order):
Friday, September 23
ARENA
Chucho Valdés – La Creación (with the Yoruband Orchestra directed by Hilarío Durán & John Beasley)
Incognito w/special guest Maysa
GROUNDS
Akira Tana & Otonowa
The Bad Plus
Berklee Jazz and Gender Justice Group
Emmaline
John Hanrahan Quartet
Julian Lage Quartet
Nicholas Payton
Mo’Fone
Reunion Trio (with Bruce Forman, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton)
Samara Joy
Saturday, September 24
ARENA
Artemis (with Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Alexa Tarantino, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda, and Allison Miller)
Butcher Brown
Las Cafeteras
Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour – Celebrating 65 (with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Lakecia Benjamin, Christian Sands, Yasushi Nakamura, and Clarence Penn)
Moodswing Reunion (Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Brian Blade)
Veronica Swift
GROUNDS
Artemis (with Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Alexa Tarantino, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda, and Allison Miller)
Butcher Brown
The Cookers (with Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Donald Harrison, Billy Harper, George Cables, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart)
Dan Wilson
Dave Stryker Eight Track Band
Emmet Cohen Trio
Fleurine
Joel Ross “Good Vibes”
Matthew Whitaker
MJF Women in Jazz Combo (led by Katie Thiroux)
Moy Eng – The Blue Hour Project
Sal’s Greenhouse
Terrie Odabi
Sunday, September 25
ARENA
Gregory Porter
Melody Gardot
Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Directed by Gerald Clayton (featuring Artist-in-Residence Christian Sands)
Ravi Coltrane Cosmic Music (featuring Special Guest Brandee Younger Trio)
Contemporary Exploration into the Music of John and Alice Coltrane
SuperBlue – Kurt Elling featuring Charlie Hunter
GROUNDS
Brandee Younger Trio
Brubeck Brothers Quartet
Gerald Clayton Trio
Keyon Harrold
Kim Nalley
Kyle Eastwood Group
Emil Afrasiyab Trio
Emma-Jean Thackray
Flor de Toloache
Michael Zilber Quartet
Molly Miller Trio
Nate Smith + KINFOLK
Sunday Morning Gospel (with Brown, Sturgis & Brown)
