55th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Slated for Now thru 9/23

The 55th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival runs today, September 21–23 at the Monterey Fairgrounds. Arena Package Tickets are on sale now at montereyjazzfestival.org or by calling 888.248.6499. The Festival features 500 artists, 90 performances on 8 stages and more, for 30 hours of live music over 2 days and 3 nights, accompanied by an array of international cuisine, shopping, arts exhibits, educational events, seminars and conversations with iconic and emerging jazz artists on the oak-studded 20-acres of the Monterey County Fairgrounds.

2012's Grammy Award-winning lineup includes Arena headliners Tony Bennett, Esperanza Spalding, Pat Metheny Unity Band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bill Frisell, Melody Gardot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Jack DeJohnette, Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Monterey Jazz Festival's 55th Anniversary Celebration with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Ambrose Akinmusire,Chris Potter, Benny Green, and Lewis Nash.

The award-winning trumpeter, Ambrose Akinmusire, will serve as the Festival's Artist-In-Residence, and will perform with his own Quintet with the Monterey Jazz Festival's 55th Anniversary Celebration Band; and as a soloist with the Festival's all-star student band, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, of which he was a two-year member. The NEA Jazz Master and Grammy-winning legendary drummer, Jack DeJohnette, returns as the Festival's2012 Showcase Artist, and will perform four times throughout the weekend on the Grounds with his own band, in the Arena with his Special Trio (with Pat Metheny and Christian McBride); and in duo with Bill Frisell, the Festival's2012 Commission Artist. Bill Frisell will perform three times--with Mr. DeJohnette; with his group Beautiful Dreamers, and will debut his newly-commissioned piece with Beautiful Dreamers and his 858 Quartet.