48th Annual NEXT GENERATION JAZZ FESTIVAL to be Presented By Monterey Jazz Festival

The 48th Annual Next Generation Jazz Festival Presented by Monterey Jazz Festival takes place March 9- 11, 2018 in downtown Monterey. The weekend-long event includes big bands, combos, vocal ensembles, and individual musicians vying for a spot on the stages of the 61st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival. All events are free and open to the public.

With more than 1200 students participating in the Next Generation Jazz Festival, the public can enjoy the largest gathering of young jazz talent in Northern California, outside of the Monterey Jazz Festival itself. In 2018, 69 groups from 11 states are finalists in the adjudicated categories. Click here for a list of finalists.

Finalists from California are represented by 53 ensembles from 14 counties-including Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Los Angeles, Marin, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties - 77% of the total.

Ten other American states for the finalists include Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State.

In addition, 30 special guest and spotlight stage ensembles are from California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington State. Altogether, 99 ensembles are scheduled to perform at the 48th Next Generation Jazz Festival.

Over 150 performances will take place at the newly-renovated Monterey Conference Center, the Portola Hotel, Turn 12 Bar & Grill, Dali 17, and Esteban at Casa Munras Hotel in downtown Monterey.

The Next Generation Jazz Festival will also continue its College Fair in the Portola Hotel lobby, allowing students an opportunity to visit with colleges and organizations offering jazz and other music programs.

For a complete schedule of activities and competition times, visit montereyjazzfestival.org/NGJF.

"It certainly feels like a "sweet spot" all the way around this year, returning to the newly-renovated Monterey Conference Center for Next Gen '18," said Paul Contos, Monterey Jazz Festival education director. "I couldn't be more pleased with the crew of both instrumental and vocal artists/adjudicators, stars in performance and education, and to feature the most exciting jazz groups from schools across the United States. Pure, swinging joy in downtown Monterey!"

The Next Generation Jazz Festival officially starts with the annual Opening Night Judges Concert Presented by the California Jazz Conservatory at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9 in the Serra Ballroom at the Monterey Convention Center in downtown Monterey. The show features performances by the Festival's team of internationally-renowned artists and competition judges, including the Festival's 2018 Artists-in-Residence, saxophonist Tia Fuller and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Also featured will be Shelly Berg, piano, Joel Frahm, tenor saxophone; Tanya Darby, trumpet; Gary Smulyan, baritone saxophone; Alan Ferber, trombone; Katie Thiroux, bass; Kendrick Scott, drums; Dan Balmer, guitar; and Sara Gazarek, vocals. Opening the concert at 7 p.m. the Ethan Santos Quintet from Berklee College of Music. The show is free, but Gold Circle Tickets are available for $50 to guarantee a front-of-house seat and a post-concert reception. Availability can be found on montereyjazzfestival.org or by calling 831.373.8844.

The High School Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, in the Monterey Conference Center. Throughout the day, the high school groups will perform, with clinics from Tia Fuller and Ingrid Jensen, and the Ethan Santos Quintet from Berklee College of Music. College Combos will also compete from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Portola Jazz Club at the Portola Hotel.

The top groups from the High School Vocal, Combo, Big Band, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble divisions will be announced at 6:15 p.m. Saturday evening in the Serra Ballroom, with a Showcase Concert at 8:30 p.m. The final rankings of the High School and College Combo divisions for that day will be announced at the end of the evening.

The Next Generation Jazz Festival continues on Sunday, March 11, with Middle School, College Big Band, High School Conglomerate Big Band and Combos, and College Vocal Ensemble Divisions. The top selected competition ensembles will also earn a performance slot at the 61st Monterey Jazz Festival.

The 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival's Partners include District 7 Wines; Inns of Monterey, California Jazz Conservatory, Yamaha Drums, Yamaha Pianos, City of Monterey, DownBeat Magazine, Remo Drumheads, Turn 12 Bar & Grill, and Dali 17.

Supporters include Arts Council for Monterey County, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, William H. Donner Foundation, Joseph Drown Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services, S.T.A.R. Foundation of Monterey County, Sally Hughes Church Foundation, Yellow Brick Road Foundation, and the Upjohn California Fund.

Sponsorship opportunities, program advertising information, and more details on the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival can be seen by visiting www.montereyjazzfestival.org/NGJF or by calling 831.373.3366.

About Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival, a leader in the jazz world since 1958, celebrates the legacy of jazz, expands its boundaries, and provides opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs.

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