LeRoy Downs at the 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
by jazzcat on Sep.20, 2004, under News
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!
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.
Although the focus is primarily on jazz music, The Monterey
Jazz Festival is also one of the greatest contributors to jazz education
programs for the youth. Nearly half a million dollars is invested every year
for programs like the Traveling Clinicians program, Summer Jazz Camp, The Latin
Jazz Program, and the Monterey Jazz Festival High School Honor Band. With
sponsors like MCI, Starbucks, See’s Candies, Down Beat, Tower Records and more,
this is a festival that will always have world class music and really make a
musical difference in the future of our children.
Well, you would think that after being at the jazz festival
all day long, that everyone would go back to their hotels, motels, bed and
breakfast places or wherever they go to lay their heads down and rest up for
tomorrows adventures. NOT A CHANCE!
The Hyatt Hotel in Monterey
has a tradition of holding late night jam sessions where many of the major acts
from the festival mix with the general jazz public for impromptu musical
collaborations, drinks, conversation, and a damn good time. You never know who
will get up and blow their horn! One of the things that really make the hang at
the Hyatt special is that it is a time when musicians, who are so busy with
their tour schedules, get a chance to hang out with players and old friends
that they may have not seen in years. It is also a time when young and upcoming
players new to the game, get a chance to meet and possibly play a tune or two
with some of their musical inspirations. It is the jazz A-list party and
everyone is invited!
I have been in attendance for several years now and I have
always come away with a pleasurable musical experience and a few surprises as
well. I would also like to give much love to the staff at Monterey. Paul Fingerote, Tim Jackson, Shawn,
Jan, Zorina and everyone that works in the office does such a superb job to
make sure that you indulge in quality music and have a safe and pleasurable
experience. If you missed it this time, I’m sure that next year’s festival will
be of an even higher caliber!
One quick note for those of you who live in the Monterey area,
LeRoy
Downs, “The Jazzcat”, will be a special guest host on your favorite local jazz
station
KRML 1410am
Saturday September 25, 2004 at 1:30pm!!!!!
Mike Jacoby of
KRML has invited me on to talk about jazz music and of course, “Raising the
Standards”, and you know that we have to do that!
Hope you can tune in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LeRoy Downs
