Il festival si tiene ogni anno nel terzo fine settimana intero di settembre, a partire da venerdì, nel piazzale fieristico della contea di Monterey, di 20 acri (8 ettari), costellato di querce, situato al 2004 di Fairground Road a Monterey. Cinquecento tra i migliori artisti jazz si esibiscono su nove palchi sparsi in tutto il parco, con 50 concerti. Inoltre, il Monterey Jazz Festival offre conversazioni jazz, tavole rotonde, workshop, mostre, cliniche e una gamma internazionale di cibo, shopping e feste sparse in tutto il quartiere fieristico.
Dal 1992 al 2010 Tim Jackson è stato direttore generale e direttore artistico, e nel 2010, Chris Doss è diventato l'amministratore delegato, e Jackson è diventato il direttore artistico. Nel 2014 Colleen Bailey è diventato amministratore delegato. Dal 1992 Clint Eastwood fa parte del consiglio di amministrazione del MJF. Kent e Keith Zimmerman descrivono il festival come se si fosse espanso negli ultimi anni: "Mentre la radio jazz e le grandi etichette riducono la scelta musicale e l'impegno, il Monterey Jazz Festival ha ampliato la sua portata espandendo i parametri del jazz, del blues e del rock.... Fortunatamente, il MJF è ora diversificato e vibrante come Lyons aveva immaginato che potesse essere."[4]
Nel 2006 il festival ha stabilito un record di presenze di 40.000 persone, registrando il tutto esaurito in tutti e cinque i concerti principali sul palco principale,[5] e nel 2007, in 40.000 hanno partecipato alla 50ª Celebrazione d'Oro.[6]
Dal momento che non ci fu nessun festival nel 2020, il 63º è stato rinviato al 2021. La pandemia di COVID-19 ha costretto i funzionari ad annullarlo.
Il Monterey Jazz Festival è un'organizzazione senza scopo di lucro. Ha donato i suoi proventi all'educazione musicale fin dalla sua nascita nel 1958. Il programma di borse di studio del festival iniziò con un fondo di borse di studio di $ 35.000 nel 1970. A partire dal 2012, il festival investe $ 600.000 all'anno per l'educazione jazz. Ogni primavera, il Monterey Jazz Festival invita studenti musicisti provenienti da tutto il paese e da tutto il mondo a partecipare al "Next Generation Festival".[7]
Paul Contos ha lavorato come esperto di sassofono presso il Monterey Jazz Festival per 30 anni, come direttore della Next Generation Jazz Orchestra & Monterey County All-Stars per 20 anni e come direttore didattico per il Monterey Jazz Festival (2011-2019) e nel 2015 è stato insignito del Champion of the Arts: Educator Award dal Monterey Arts Council.[8]
Dave Brubeck fu determinante nell'ottenere l'approvazione della città per il primo festival nel 1958. Il fondatore e direttore generale del MJF per 35 anni, Jimmy Lyons, portò Brubeck a Monterey per esibirsi per il consiglio comunale per convincerlo a consentire lo svolgimento del festival. Si è esibito al Festival 14 volte, inclusa la sua apparizione al 50º anniversario d'oro del 2007.[3]
Basandosi sull'emozionante e senza precedenti eredità di cinquant'anni di storica presentazione del jazz, la Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Band sarà in tournée di 54 date e 10 settimane negli Stati Uniti dall'8 gennaio 2008 al 16 marzo 2008. La band comprende la cantante jazz Nnenna Freelon, il trombettista Terence Blanchard, il pianista Benny Green, il sassofonista James Moody, il bassista Derrick Hodge e il batterista Kendrick Scott.[15]
Melissa Aldana Crash Trio, Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, Red Baraat, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, Blue Note Records 75th Anniversary Band con Ambrose Akinmusire, Donald Brown, Uri Caine con Booker T. Jones, Billy Childs, Gary Clark Jr., Shawn Colvin, Commanders Jazz Ensemble, Davina and the Vagabonds, Aaron Diehl Quartet, Pete Escovedo Orchestra con Peter Michael & Juan Escovedo, Michael Feinstein con Russell Malone & Harry Allen e the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Lisa Fischer, Ben Flocks Quartet, Robert Glasper con Jason Moran, Habaneros, Herbie Hancock, John Hanrahan Quartet, Eric Harland Voyager, Derrick Hodge & Lionel Loueke, Zakir Hussain e Eric Harland, Booker T. Jones, Geoffrey Keezer Trio, Bari Koral, Charles Lloyd Quartet con Jason Moran, Charles Lloyd & Gerald Clayton, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Harold Mabern, Delfeayo Marsalis & Ellis Marsalis, Christian McBride Trio, Sarah McKenzie Quartet, Marcus Miller, Minor Thirds Trio, Tony Monaco, Jason Moran Fats Waller Dance Party, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, The Philadelphia Experiment con Christian McBride, Ana Popovic, ?uestlove, Reuben Rogers & Eric Harland, The Roots, Pamela Rose & Wayne De La Cruz, Daniel Rosenboom Quintet, Cécile McLorin Salvant, SambaDa, Sangam con Charles Lloyd, Kendrick Scott, Sourmash Hug Band, Becca Stevens, Youn Sun Nah & Ulf Wakenius, Claudia Villela & Harvey Wainapel, Conversation about Blue Note Records, Conversation about Mulgrew Miller & James Williams, Conversation con Michael Feinstein, DownBeat Blindfold Test, Top bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival
American Music Program Pacific Crest Combo, Berkeley High School Combo A, Central Washington University Big Band, Folsom High School Big Band, Folsom High School Jazz Choir, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Band, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Choir, Monterey County High School All-Star Band, Monterey County High School Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Northgate High School Jazz Band, SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Orchestra, University of Miami Frost School of Music "Extensions", University of the Pacific Combo, United States Marine Corps All-Star Jazz Band
Percussion Discussion con Peter Erskine e Jeff Hamilton, Conversation: A Love Supreme con Ravi Coltrane e Rudresh Mahanthappa ospitato da Ashley Kahn, Conversation: Erroll Garner Jazz Project, DownBeat Blindfold Test con Pete Escovedo e Sheila E. ospitato da Dan Ouellette, Remembering Clark Terry con Justin Kauflin, Film: Jaco, Film: Keep On Keepin' On
Venerdì 16 settembre, ARENA:, Jimmy Lyons Stage: Cécile McLorin Salvant; Richard Bona Mandekan Cubano, Tribute to Quincy Jones:, “The A&M Years” con Quincy Jones as honored guest (Christian McBride, Musical Director, John Clayton, Conductor, con special guests James Carter, Dave Grusin, Paul Jackson, Jr., Sean Jones, Hubert Laws, Gregoire Maret, Valerie Simpson & the Monterey Jazz Festival Orchestra, GROUNDS:, Garden Stage: Mixcla +1 from Berklee College of Music; Alfredo Rodriguez Quartet; Bria Skonberg, Dizzy's Den: Still Dreaming: Joshua Redman, Ron Miles, Scott Colley, Brian Blade; Cécile McLorin Salvant, Night Club: Jamison Ross; Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio; Troker, Coffee House Gallery: Sullivan Fortner Trio (Three sets), Courtyard Stage: James Francies on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Two sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena
Sabato 17 settembre, ARENA:, Jimmy Lyons Stage: Davina & The Vagabonds; Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles; Maceo Parker: Tribute to Ray Charles featuring the Ray Charles Orchestra & The Raelettes; The Bad Plus Joshua Redman; Terri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project featuring Lizz Wright e Valerie Simpson; Branford Marsalis Quartet featuring Kurt Elling, GROUNDS:, Garden Stage: The Guitarsonists: Chris Cain, Daniel Castro & “Mighty” Mike Schermer; Davina & The Vagabonds; Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles; Joey Alexander Trio; Tony Lindsay, Dizzy's Den: Conversation con Quincy Jones; Larry Vuckovich's Vince Guaraldi Project; Ibrahim Maalouf; Somi; Christian McBride Trio, Night Club: Wellington Secondary Combo; American Music Program Pacific Crest Jazz Orchestra; 32nd Street Brass Band; Bop of the Bay; John Patitucci's Electric Guitar Quartet; Lew Tabackin Quartet featuring Randy Brecker; Billy Hart Quartet, Coffee House Gallery: Mixcla +1, from Berklee College of Music; Conversation con Toshiko Akiyoshi & Terri Lyne Carrington; James Francies Trio: JF3; Stanley Cowell Trio (Three sets), Education Pavilion: Student Performances (All afternoon), Courtyard Stage: James Francies on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Three sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Film: Brownie Speaks: The Life, Music & Legacy of Clifford Brown
Domenica 18 settembre, ARENA:, Jimmy Lyons Stage: Next Generation Jazz Orchestra con Terri Lyne Carrington; Kamasi Washington; Gregory Porter; Wayne Shorter Quartet; Jacob Collier; Pat Metheny con Antonio Sanchez, Linda Oh & Gwilym Simcock, GROUNDS:, Dizzy's Den: Claudia Villela con Vitor Gonçalves; DownBeat Blindfold Test con Christian McBride; Banda Magda; Donny McCaslin Quartet; Bill Frisell's Guitar in the Space Age; Joshua Redman Quartet, Garden Stage: California State University, Sacramento “C-Sus Voices”; University of Miami Frost Concert Band; Montclair Women's Big Band; Tommy Igoe's Groove Conspiracy; Elena Pinderhughes; KING, Night Club: MJF High School Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble; Valencia High School “Two N’ Four”; LA County High School for the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble; Las Vegas Academy Big Band; Folsom High School Big Band; Northgate High school Big Band; MJF High School All-Star Big Band; Ronnie Foster Trio; Dave Stryker Quartet featuring Eric Alexander e Jared Gold on organ; Dr. Lonnie Smith, Coffee House Gallery: Conversation con Donny McCaslin; SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Combo; University of Miami Dafnis Prieto Artist Ensemble; Kris Davis Trio (Two sets), Jazz Education Pavilion: Student Bands (All afternoon), Courtyard Stage: James Francies on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Four sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Film: Thomas Chapin, Night Bird Song: The Incandescent Life of a Jazz Great
Venerdì 15 settembre, Jimmy Lyons Stage (arena): Regina Carter “Dear Ella”; A Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie: Kenny Barron Trio con special guests Roy Hargrove, Sean Jones, Pedrito Martinez; Herbie Hancock, Garden Stage: Ray Obiedo & The Latin Jazz Project; Along Came Betty; Danae Greenfield Quartet from Berklee College of Music, Dizzy's Den: GoGo Penguin, Miles Mosley Night Club: Matt Wilson's Honey & Salt; Alicia Olatuja; Gerald Clayton Trio, Coffee House Gallery: Latin Jazz Collective; Roberta Gambarini, Courtyard Stage: Music on the Yamaha AvantGrand(Two sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the arena
Sabato 16 settembre, Jimmy Lyons Stage (arena): Monsieur Periné; Mr. Sipp; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (MJF Commission); Leslie Odom, Jr.; A Tribute to Sonny Rollins featuring Jimmy Heath, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman e Gerald Clayton, Scott Colley & Lewis Nash, Garden Stage: Con Brio; The Suffers; Mr. Sipp; Monsieur Periné; Sammy Miller Congregation Dizzy's Den: Ali Ryerson Quartet; Sean Jones Quartet; Kyle Eastwood Band; Roy Hargrove Quintet; Pedrito Martinez Group; Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Night Club: Top bands from the 2017 Next Generation Jazz Festival; Roger Fox Big Band; Kandace Springs; Regina Carter Quartet; Derrick Hodge & Mike Mitchell Coffee House Gallery: DownBeat Blindfold Test; Conversation con Herbie Hancock; Danae Greenfield Quartet from Berklee College of Music; Joanne Brackeen Trio (Three sets), Education Pavilion: Student Performances (All afternoon), Courtyard Stage: Music on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Three sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Jazz on Film
Domenica 17 settembre, Jimmy Lyons Stage (arena): Next Generation Jazz Orchestra con John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton e Gerald Clayton; John Beasley's MONK’estra; Common; Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau; Angélique Kidjo's Celia Cruz Tribute con Pedrito Martinez; Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea, Dizzy's Den: Andy Weis & the Monterey Jazz All-Stars; O.F.N.I. Trio; Joe Lovano Classic Quartet; Tia Fuller Quintet featuring Ingrid Jensen; Regina Carter & Southern Comfort; Vijay Iyer Sextet, Garden Stage: Top Bands from the 2017 Next Generation Jazz Festival; Roger Fox Big Band con Chris Cain; Ranky Tanky; Sandy Cressman e Homenagem Brasileira, Night Club: Top Bands from the 2017 Next Generation Jazz Festival; MJF High School Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble; MJF High School All-Star Big Band; Amendola Vs. Blades; Chester Thompson Trio; James Carter Organ Trio, Coffee House Gallery: Conversations con Jimmy Heath e Chick Corea; Top bands from the 2017 Next Generation Jazz Festival; Chano Dominguez Trio (Two sets, Jazz Education Pavilion: Student Bands (All afternoon), Courtyard Stage: Music on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Four sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Jazz on Film
Venerdì 21 settembre, ARENA:, Jimmy Lyons Stage: Tribute to Geri Allen con Tia Fuller, Ingrid Jensen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Shamie Royston, Maurice Chestnut, DJ Val, e Robert Hurst; Dianne Reeves; Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra con Wynton Marsalis present Spaces con “Lil Buck” e Jared Grimes, GROUNDS:, Garden Stage: Hristo Vitchev; Tammy L. Hall Peace-tet; Berklee College of Music, Dizzy's Den: Jane Bunnett & Maqueque; Christian McBride Trio, Night Club: Adam Rogers & Dice; Knower; Cameron Graves, Pacific Jazz Café: Lisa Mezzacappa AvantNOIR; Jane Ira Bloom; Thumbscrew, Courtyard Stage: Addison Frei on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Two sets), North Coast Brewing Co. Education Stage: student performances (All evening), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the arena, Pacific Jazz Café Exhibit: The Color of Jazz: Album cover photographs by Pete Turner (all weekend)
Sabato 22 settembre, ARENA:, Jimmy Lyons Stage: Thornetta Davis; Lean on Me: José James Celebrates Bill Withers; Oscar Hernández & the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (MJF Commission); Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour con Cécile McLorin Salvant, Bria Skonberg, Melissa Aldana, Christian Sands, Yasushi Nakamura, Jamison Ross; Remembering Ray Brown featuring Christian McBride, Benny Green, Greg Hutchinson con special guests John Clayton, John Patitucci e Dianne Reeves; Jon Batiste con the Dap-Kings, GROUNDS:, Garden Stage: No BS! Brass Band; Thornetta Davis; José James Celebrates Bill Withers; No BS! Brass Band; Harold Lopez-Nussa Trio, Dizzy's Den: Kristen Strom; Akili & Ayana Bradley Quintet; Jamie Baum Septet+; Dave Grusin; Tia Fuller Quartet; Donny McCaslin Group, Night Club: Top bands from the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival; 32nd Street Brass Band; John Santos Unusual Standards; Ingrid & Christine Jensen Infinitude; The Baylor Project; Mwenso & the Shakes, Pacific Jazz Café: Conversations con Dave Grusin e Dianne Reeves; Top bands from the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival; Fred Hersch (solo); Fred Hersch e Jane Ira Bloom; Fred Hersch Trio, Courtyard Stage: Addison Frei on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Three sets), North Coast Brewing Co. Education Stage: Student Performances (All afternoon), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Jazz on Film: Dave Grusin: Not Enough Time
Domenica 23 settembre, ARENA:, Jimmy Lyons Stage: Next Generation Jazz Orchestra con Tia Fuller & Ingrid Jensen; Bokanté; Charles Lloyd & the Marvels con Lucinda Williams; Anat Cohen Tentet; Celebrating Michael Brecker con Randy Brecker, Donny McCaslin, Gil Goldstein, Adam Rogers, John Patitucci, e Antonio Sanchez; Norah Jones con Brian Blade & Chris Thomas, GROUNDS:, Garden Stage: Top bands from the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival; Gabriel Royal; Katie Thiroux Trio; Ladama, Dizzy's Den: Aya Takazawa Quintet; Gary Meek Quartet; Veronica Swift; Wadada Leo Smith; Dianne Reeves con Romero Lubambo; Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour con Cécile McLorin Salvant, Bria Skonberg, Melissa Aldana, Christian Sands, Yasushi Nakamura, Jamison Ross, Night Club: Top bands from the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival; MJF High School Honor Vocal Jazz Ensemble; MJF High School All-Star Big Band; Bobby Floyd Trio; Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; Joey DeFrancesco & the People, Pacific Jazz Café: DownBeat Blindfold Test con John Clayton; Conversation about Michael Brecker; Top bands from the 2018 Next Generation Jazz Festival; Julian Lage Trio; Bill Frisell Trio, North Coast Brewing Co. Education Stage: Student Bands (all afternoon), Courtyard Stage: Addison Frei on the Yamaha AvantGrand (four sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Jazz on Film: Two Trains Runnin’
Venerdì 27 settembre, ARENA: Jimmy Lyons Stage: Allison Miller & Derrick Hodge Present Soul on Soul: A Tribute to Mary Lou Williams; Kenny Barron & Dave Holland Trio; Diana Krall, GROUNDS: Garden Stage: Allison Au Quartet; SambaDá; Gerald Clayton Quartet; Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Dizzy's Den: Chris Potter Circuits Trio con James Francies & Eric Harland; Christian McBride Situation con Patrice Rushen, Night Club: Connie Han Trio; Bria Skonberg; Donna Grantis, Pacific Jazz Café: MJF 101 con Andrew Gilbert & Pamela Espeland; DJ Brother Mister; Taylor McFerrin, Courtyard Stage: Music on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Three sets), North Coast Brewing Co. Education Stage: Student performances (All evening), Blue Note at Sea Tent: Events TBA, Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena, Pacific Jazz Café Exhibit: Blue Note Records at 80: Perspectives (All weekend)
Sabato 28 settembre, ARENA: Jimmy Lyons Stage: Larkin Poe; Cha Wa; Tank and the Bangas; Christian McBride Big Band; Eliane Elias; Chris Botti, GROUNDS: Garden Stage: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram; Larkin Poe; Cha Wa; Huntertones; Steve Bernstein's MTO West, Dizzy's Den: Natalie Cressman & Ian Farquini; Pamela Rose & Terrence Brewer; Derrick Hodge presents Color of Noize; Derrick Hodge Band; Kenny Barron & Dave Holland Duo; Christian McBride Big Band, Night Club: Hamilton High School Jazz Ensemble A; Tucson Jazz Institute Concord Combo; SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Orchestra; the Commanders Jazz Ensemble; Luciana Souza; Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom; Michael Mayo; Yellowjackets con special guest Luciana Souza, Pacific Jazz Café: Zion Dyson; Columbia University Jazz Combo; Conversation con Kenny Barron & Dave Holland, hosted by Willard Jenkins; Berklee Global Jazz Institute; Ben Flocks e Mask of the Muse; Sasha Berliner; Roberta Gambarini, Courtyard Stage: Music on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Three sets), North Coast Brewing Co. Education Stage: Student performances (All day), Blue Note at Sea Tent: Events TBA, Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena; Jazz on Film: Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes
Domenica 29 settembre, ARENA: Jimmy Lyons Stage Next Generation Jazz Orchestra con Allison Miller & Derrick Hodge; Pacific Mambo Orchestra; Candy Dulfer; Jazzmeia Horn; Double Vision Revisited featuring Bob James, David Sanborn & Marcus Miller con guests Billy Kilson & Larry Braggs; Snarky Puppy, GROUNDS: Garden Stage: California State University, Long Beach Pacific Standard Time; Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano Jazz Orchestra; Electric Squeezebox Orchestra; Barrio Barouche; Leyla McCalla; Ambrose Akinmusire, Dizzy's Den: Kenny Stahl Group; Abe Rábane Trio; Jenny Scheinman & Allison Miller's Parlour Game; Antonio Sánchez & Migration; Jazzmeia Horn, Night Club: MJF High School Honor Vocal Ensemble; Folsom High School Jazz Choir I; Valencia High School Two N’ Four; Northgate High School Jazz Band I; Rio Americano High School AM Jazz Ensemble; Downey High School Jazz Band I; MJF Monterey County High School All-Star Band; Amina Claudine Myers; Doug Carn West Coast Organ Group; Mike LeDonne's Groover Quartet, Pacific Jazz Café: DownBeat Blindfold Test con Antonio Sánchez, hosted by Dan Ouellette; The Life & Legacy of Dexter Gordon con Maxine Gordon, hosted by Angela Davis; Marcus Shelby Quintet; Tammy L. Hall & Ruth Davies, North Coast Brewing Co. Education Stage: Student performances (All day), Blue Note at Sea Tent: Events TBA, Courtyard Stage: Music on the Yamaha AvantGrand (Four sets), Jazz Theater: Simulcasts from the Arena
2020
Non tenuto causa COVID-19
2023
Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, John Handy, Terrence Blanchard, Christian McBride, John Scofield, Thundercat, Snarky Puppy, Kendrick Scott, Chris Potter, Reuben Rogers, Terri Lyne Carrington, Marcus Strickland, Ben Wendel, Lakecia Benjamin, Turtle Island Quartet, Oscar Seaton Jr., Lionel Loueke, Jaylen Petinaud, Diane Reeves, Billy Childs, Sean Jones, Gerald Clayton, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Louis Cato, Charles Haynes, Justin Brown, Marcus Gilmore, Ambrose Akinmusire, Donny McCaslin, Gretchen Parlato, Kait Dunton, Scary Goldings, Chris Cain, Sullivan Fortner, Jeremy Pelt, Lew Tabackin, Peter Washington, Connie Han, Bill Wysaske, Isaiah Sharkey, Oumou Sangaré, Jamie Cullum, Samara Joy, Evan Sherman, Benny Green, Yasushi Nakamura, Clarence Penn, Ben Flocks, Azar Lawrence, Josh Evans, James Francies, Taylor Eigisti
^L'evento del 2020 è stato cancellato a causa della pandemia di COVID-19, ma nelle numerazioni successive è ancora considerato come il 63º festival.[1]