by Barbara Smith Photos by Earl Edwards Samara Joy’s opening night performance at the 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival set the mood for a weekend infused with hope, joy, and the magical power of music to unite. The 24-year-old Grammy winner headlined a 3-day musical celebration that featured iconic artists including Stanley Clarke, Joshua Redman, Jason ...

By Barbara Smith Photos by ESE  The 61st Monterey Jazz Festival offered a generous mix of jazz legends including sax giant Charles Lloyd, vocalist Dianne Reeves, flutist Hubert Laws, trumpeter/bandleader/composer Wynton Marsalis, pianist Dave Grusin, bassist Christian McBride, pianist Benny Green, drummer Brian Blade and New Orleans musician/bandleader Jon Batiste. Women were showcased prominently this ...

By Barbara Smith “Art makes life worth living.” So said Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton’s Tony-winning singer/actor, who headlined Saturday night’s Monterey Jazz Festival. The same could be said of the iconic festival itself where this year, celebrating its 60th anniversary, it held true to its cherished tradition of assembling the most masterful and brilliantly shining ...