The most exhilarating feeling is traveling down Highway 68, on a gorgeous Monterey day, with "Africa Brass" cranked up at the maximum level and headed towards the Monterey Jazz Festival. Monterey is a whirlwind of a magical jazz musical adventure. Music is literally coming at you from all directions and most of the time, you are torn between which direction to go next. This is the 47th annual Monterey Jazz Festival and is presented by MCI. They have been a major sponsor for the last 20 years and have contributed more that 2 million dollars to the event. That, my friends, is support of jazz music in its highest form and certainly needs to be commended!
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Monterey is a great place because the energy is extremely high and richly saturated with jazz connoisseurs from all parts of the country. Everyone is happy and eager to experience the music, the food, the friends, family and all of the encounters of new jazz lovers you so often come across. Also, it is such a nice diversion from our regular routine to have your thirst quenched daily in the waters of jazz music.

Three days and nights filled with many of the finest performers in the business. This year's festival included players like, Regina Carter, Terence Blanchard, Bill Charlap, Don Byron, Jason Moran, Jack DeJohnette, Marion McPartland, Lynne Arriale, Uri Caine, Christian McBride, John Santos, Claudia Villela, John Calloway, Kitty Margolis, Charlie Hunter, Paula West and a whole host of other outstanding players. Even Clint Eastwood jumped on the piano and played a few notes.

I was the Master of Ceremonies all 3 nights in the Night Club stage and I spent time enjoying the acts that were on my stage as well as running across the fairgrounds to catch a glimpse of the many venues Monterey has to offer. Five different stages of jazz and blues as well, a little something for everyone. Having such responsibilities on one of the stages, you can imagine that I could not wander off very far or spend too much time in any event other than my own but, even just a few minutes of watching these notable musicians fills you with the spirit and essence of their creations.

Who got off? Terence Blanchard, Regina Carter, Don Byron with Jason Moran and Jack DeJohnette, Bobby McFerrin and Savion Glover were a few of my favorites as well as the Swedish Band E.S.T! It is so nice to be in a place where you walk by and everyone is talking and giving their opinions on jazz music. The Jazz Republic!

Unfortunately, two of our jazz heroes Clark Terry and Frank Wess, are ill and were not able to attend. But, of course, we send out much love and many prayers for a safe, strong and very fast recovery.