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| 49th Monterey Jazz Festival Breaks Attendance Records The 49th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon was a resounding success in all aspects. With the attendance up 18% from last year, picture-perfect weather all weekend, and inspired and emotional sets from all the artists, this year's Festival will be remembered for years to come. 43, 000 jazz fans were treated to historic performances and specially commissioned works throughout the spectacular three-day event, breaking the attendance record held since 2002. The feeling of electricity was in the air as the Festival kicked off Friday night with a stirring performance from Richard Bona, who entranced the Arena and Grounds audience with his soulful and mesmerizing singing and bass. The Yellowjackets continued to raise the energy with their performance in the Arena, with the special appearances of Robin Ford and Roy Hargrove drawing a roar from the audience. The Clayton-Hamilton Big Band premiered the composition "Red Man-Black Man" which was an emotional and mystical tour-de-force that thrilled the crowds. Uri Caine and Roy Hargrove and the RH Factor blew the roof off of Dizzy's Den, playing their bass-heavy grooves to a packed house of screaming fans. Friday's young performers also made their mark on the Festival this year, with Sasha Dobson, Taylor Eigsti, Robert Glasper and Eldar all performing—and wowing--capacity crowds. Saturday was a day of high energy. The McCollough Sons of Thunder transformed the Arena into a house of worship, bringing the clapping and cheering audience to its feet. The day got hotter with Keb' Mo' and Bonnie Raitt, as they treated the audience to their style of blues and pop. The Grounds, which were filled to capacity by concertgoers, were delighted by the blues of the Fins, Duke Robillard, and Robben Ford as they added their own heat to the day. As the sun was setting on Saturday, Charles Lloyd took the stage on the Arena stage and transported the audience on a poignant journey into the future and the past with "Forest Flower". Dianne Reeves showed how she could be a powerful blues singer as well as a consummate jazz singer. McCoy Tyner, with a little help from Roy Hargrove and Bobby Hutcherson and Eric Gravatt, played a magnificent angular set to close out the evening. Sunday will go down as one of the most powerful in Monterey history. More youngsters and their families attended in many years, making "Family Day" a success! The winning bands from the Next Generation Festival played in Dizzy's Den to packed house—and were precision-perfect in their energy and sound. In the Arena, The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra played with a professionalism and drive that propelled Kurt Elling to new heights, and Chris Botti played a cool and passionate set to a delighted crowd. Sunday Night's Arena concerts—led off by the Dave Brubeck Quartet—will live in people's minds forever. The Quartet played a beautiful and elegant set, which was followed by the premiere of the "Cannery Row Suite" which was a touching tribute to a time and place that may be lost, but was clearly present in the Arena that night. The Suite was given an extended standing ovation, with the feeling that history had just been made. Oscar Peterson's set was nothing short of remarkable in its grace and aura. Afterwards, MJF audiences were treated to a special encore with Clint Eastwood performing solo on piano, which led into a piano trio with Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson and Glenn Zaleski, the Brubeck Institute pianist. Seeing these musical and cultural giants onstage together was truly a moment that will go down in Monterey history. A feeling of connection, energy and spirituality between the audiences and performers was felt across the Monterey Fairgrounds this year. Whether it was fans seeing old favorites or discovering new talent, the Monterey Jazz Festival built upon the aura of perfect weather, inspired performances and the conviction of being a witness to history—in an all-encompassing event that will continue to dazzle concertgoers for years to come. Iola Brubeck, in her lyrics to "Doc's Song" from the "Cannery Row Suite"--sung by Kurt Elling--summed up the feeling of Monterey in perfect fashion: "We are all connected in some vital way with each other, with nature, and with the unknown." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |