From Herbie Hancock to the Red Hot Chile Peppers, Monterey County’s line-up of live entertainment makes for a heady getaway.
From September 16 to 18, the 54th annual Monterey Jazz Festival at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey, California, hits a chord as the world’s longest continuously running jazz festival delivering and a showcase for such artists as India.Arie, Sonny Rollins and Poncho Sanchez.
Jazz greats who have performed to sell out audiences at this granddaddy of all jazz festivals, include Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Dizzie Gillespie and Dave Brubeck, among others. This year’s celebration attracts all of the top names in jazz, and boasts art exhibits, jazz clinics and seminars.
The Monterey Jazz Festival will honor the four-time Grammy-winning trumpeter, composer and bandleader, Terence Blanchard, at its Annual Jazz Legends Gala on Thursday, September 15, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California.
In Big Sur, the Henry Miller Memorial Library annual concert series keeps things abuzz with a full line-up of pop-up artists including recent performances by the Dodos, Arcade Fire and Philip Glass.
From the Next Generation Jazz Festival to the Monterey Bay Blues Festival, the line up for 2011/2012 promises a well-spring of talent and tradition.
Auto and arts enthusiasts can combine both passions at the annual Monterey Rock n’ Rod Festival, while more classic pursuits can be had at the annual Carmel Bach Festival. For those set on a Bob Marley fix next July, the 17th annual Monterey Reggaefest features 25 performances under the summer sky next July.
For more information on the wealth of entertainment options in Monterey County visit www.seemonterey.com/
For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.