SAN JOSE, Calif — Having canceled last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Monterey Jazz Festival is set to return in 2021 with a terrific lineup that (thus far) includes Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Pat Metheny and many other talents.
“After such a challenging year, we can’t wait to reunite the jazz community in Monterey and to celebrate our resilience,” says Colleen Bailey, the festival’s executive director.
The beloved three-day event, which many consider to be the world’s most prestigious jazz festival, returns to the Monterey County Fairgrounds Sept. 24-26. Other performers include Christian Sands Group, Kandace Springs, Las Cafeteras, Miho Hazama and m _ unit, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Gerald Clayton.
“We’re back! MJF returns with a nicely curated lineup of fresh and familiar faces, including a new commission by Miho Hazama, a performance by our Artist in Residence Christian Sands and the debut of our 2021 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Gerald Clayton. The legacy and spirit of MJF continues and we hope you join us,” said Tim Jackson, the festival’s artistic director.
All of these acts are set to perform on the festival’s big Jimmy Lyons arena stage — which organizers say will be limited to 50% capacity in 2021 in order to “provide attendees a safe and comfortable festival experience.
The full lineup will be announced at a later date. Three-day tickets go on sale in July. Visit montereyjazzfestival.org for more information.
Here’s the daily lineup as it currently stands. All of these acts are scheduled for the Jimmy Lyons arena stage.
Sept. 24: Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny Side-Eye
Sept. 25: Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, Las Cafeteras, Miho Hazama and m _ unit (2021 commissioned artist).
Sept. 26: George Benson, Kandace Springs, Christian Sands Group (Artist in Residence), Next Generation Jazz Orchestra directed by Gerald Clayton
