56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Celebrates an Accomplished Weekend of Historic Music

The 56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival wrapped up Sunday, September 22 after an outstanding weekend of exceptional performances by debut artists, returning masters and new favorites.

Despite rain on Saturday, September 21, 35,000 fans came through the gates of the Monterey County Fairgrounds during the weekend of September 20-22, which featured music from around the globe, and from all styles of classic and modern jazz, Latin, gospel, New Orleans, and funk, with historic conversations, three different films, and comprehensive exhibits.

Musical Highlights: Friday
The Festival began on Friday, September 20 with astounding set from vocalist Gregory Porter, an emotional set fromthe Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and truly inspiring music from Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club in the Arena.

On the Grounds, Roberto Fonseca got the music off to a great start on the Garden Stage, followed by the 2013 edition of the Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors, and the trancelike fusion of 7 Come 11. Coffee House attendees were treated to three sets from the Uri Caine Trio, and the Night Club was packed for sets from 2013 Showcase ArtistDave Douglas, vocalist Carmen Lundy and 2013 Artist-In-Residence, Joe Lovano and Us Five. In Dizzy's Den,Snarky Puppy made their Festival debut to a full house, as did Gregory Porter, for his second set of the evening.

Musical Highlights: Saturday
The Arena shows on Saturday began on a psychedelic note with the gospel of The Relatives, followed by a smashing set from powerhouse George Benson. The Garden Stage also provided an afternoon and evening of emerging stars, beginning with the rootsy California Honeydrops, the new-New Orleans mashup of Big Sam's Funky Nation, andThe Relatives in their second high-energy set. Evening came with its own set of special performances presented by Motema Music, including a solo recital by bassist Charnett Moffett; a heartfelt duo of Mr. Moffett and guitarist Jana Herzen; the Marc Cary Focus Trio, and Brian Jackson and The New Midnight Band, featuring M1 and Kentyah,running late into the evening.

The Coffee House featured an intimate forum for two sets from the Smith Dobson's Prez Kids, celebrating the music of Lester Young, the Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors, and three trendsetting piano sets from the Orrin Evans Trio. In Dizzy's Den, a historic panel discussion took place about the late Dave Brubeck, featuring rare recordings and slides with Eugene Wright and the Brubeck Brothers, followed by Joe Lovano being put on the spot for the 2013DownBeat Blindfold Test. In the evening, stellar sets from Ravi Coltrane, Charlie Hunter and Scott Amendola, and Sound Prints were met by capacity crowds. The Night Club featured the winning bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival; Claire Daly, and the flame-carrying Brubeck Institute Quintet. The evening's Night Club shows featured the eclectic Craig Taborn, the dynamic Mary Stallings, and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, all streaming live on the Web.

Back on the Arena Stage, Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas: Sound Prints debuted two new pieces by Wayne Shorter. Dave Holland's Prism broke raucous new ground in the fusion field, which was balanced by Bobby McFerrin, performing a quietly powerful and inspiring set to a hushed Arena audience.

Musical Highlights: Sunday
Sunday's Arena shows began with a youthful start with the winner of the 2013 Next Generation Jazz Festival, theFolsom High School Jazz Band I, making their debut on the Jimmy Lyons Stage, followed by the latest edition of Monterey Jazz Festival's Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, which featured the country's finest high school student musicians and Artist-In-Residence, Joe Lovano. The fabled Bob James and David Sanborn made their much-anticipated appearance in a performance that was emotionally satisfying on many levels.

The evening's Arena performances were kicked off by the Wayne Shorter Quartet, making one their finest appearances of the year, according to journalists. Diana Krall then closed the Jimmy Lyons Stage with a set that included her own unique take on the Americana and the American songbook, closing with "Prairie Lullaby."

In the Night Club, the inspiring end energetic five winning bands from the 2013 Next Generation Jazz Festival performed along with the Festival's own Monterey County Honor Bands, with the final evening shows packing in for sets from NEA Jazz Masters Lou Donaldson and Bobby Hutcherson, who dedicated his set to the late Cedar Walton, who had been scheduled to appear.

Dizzy's Den was treated to an afternoon of legendary musicians, talk and music, with the often hilarious Lou Donaldson and a wide-ranging discussion with iconic drummer Jim Keltner. In the evening, Keltner would return to perform in the Hammond B3 Blowout with the Anthony Wilson Trio, followed by a raucous and titanic set from Dr.Lonnie Smith, who played until late Sunday night, far beyond the official closing time of the Festival.

The Garden Stage showcased fine performances from the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, the Tammy Hall Quintet, and Davina and the Vagabonds (who was considered by many to be the breakout band of the Festival). The Paul Contos Quartet also dedicated their set to Cedar Walton.

Coffee House goers were treated to Family Day with Peter Alsop and Cal State Northridge's Fantastic Planet, with two final visionary evening sets from the trio, Phronesis.

All weekend long, Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman were featured on the Courtyard Stage, and the Coffee House Galley exhibit presented Dave Brubeck's history with the Monterey Jazz Festival in an emotional display. The Jazz Theater Presented by Alaska Airlines also showed simulcasts of the Arena performances, as well as three films about iconic tenor saxophonists - The Language of the Unknown (a film about Wayne Shorter); Round Midnight (a post-film discussion featured Dexter Gordon's widow, Lorraine, and Ravi Coltrane); and Sonny Rollins: Beyond the Notes.

Quotes about the event can be read here.