Monterey hosts some of the biggest names every year at the Monterey Jazz Festival. The festival began in 1958 as an alternative to East Coast Festivals. That year, the festival began with Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillespie, John Lewis, Gerry Mulligan and Billie Holiday. The festival has been going strong ever since.

This year the festival will feature:

Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Roy Hargrove, McCoy Tyner Trio with special guest Branford Marsalis, Dave Holland Big Band, Kenny Barron/Regina Carter Duo, Joe Lovano Nonet, Jimmy Smith & The Dot-Com Blues, Daniela Mercury, Danilo Perez & The Motherland Project, Claudia Acuña, Taj Mahal, Lucky Peterson, David Sanchez Sextet, Patricia Barber, Chris Potter Quartet, Jane Monheit, Russell Malone Quartet, Branford Marsalis Quartet, Rachel Z Trio, Deborah Coleman, Adam Rogers Quartet, Peter Barshay-Mike Clark Quintet, Roberta Gambarini, George Wein's Newport All-Stars, Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge, Benny Barth Trio with Julian Lage, Mighty Mike Schermer Band, Mark Hummell's Harmonica Blow-Out, Billy Childs, Ann Dyer, Art Hirahara Sextet, Graham Connah Group, Tamba with Helcio Milito, Baritone Saxophone Summit, Babatunde Lea & The Jazz Guerrillas

The 2002 Monterey Jazz Festival will be held on September 20th, 21st and 22nd.

For information and event schedules go to the Monterey Jazz Festival Official Site.

Browse the categories on the right for information about lodging, dining, tours, attractions and all of your travel planning needs.

Have fun, be safe and enjoy the festival!