By Barbara Smith, Contributing Writer
The Monterey County Fairgrounds became an intersection of jazz and joy at this year’s Monterey Jazz Festival (MJF), delivering on its original promise 68 years ago to elevate jazz, connect a diverse community in celebration of America’s cultural heritage, and inspire young musicians to continue the legacy. Attendees soaked in a blend of iconic veterans and new voices across five stages with such renowned artists as Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Carmen Lundy, John and Gerald Clayton, and Delfeayo Marsalis, along with fresh contemporary performers including Dominique Fils-Aimé, Ledisi, Cory Wong, Keyon Harrold, promising HBCU student artists, and saxophone phenom Grace Kelly.
Vocalist Gregory Porter’s opener on Friday was clearly a crowd favorite. With roots in San Diego, where he attended SDSU on a football scholarship, the Grammy winner displayed his powerful musicianship performing many of his best-known songs, including “Be Good” and “Take Me to the Alley.”
The party started early on Saturday with Mississippi bluesman Mr. Sipp (Castro Coleman), whose other popular moniker is “the Mississippi blues child.” “Can we turn this place into a juke joint?” the charismatic artist yelled on taking the stage, and indeed, his entire set stoked the crowd with singing, dancing and splendid guitar work. To the crowd’s delight, he jumped off the stage and snaked his way through the Arena, belting out Deep South blues that kept the joint jumping, and finishing with the gorgeous “A Change is Gonna Come.”
Song stylist Dianne Reeves followed, her voice a beautiful instrument and her message, as always, laden with promise. “I feel the healing in this space,” her deep, throaty tone offered. She sang a standout melodic delivery of “Lazy Afternoon.”
Keyon Harrold, who Wynton Marsalis has heralded as “the future of trumpet,” affirmed the prediction in a sparkling set highlighted by a medley of John Coltrane classics including “In a Sentimental Mood” and “A Love Supreme.”
The return of MJF’s indoor venue, Dizzy’s Den, hosted one of jazz’s vocal treasures, Carmen Lundy. Commanding and radiant, the self-described “truth teller” showcased her incredible range in an exquisitely rendered set.
Rounding out what some have called “the year of the diva” were numerous other stellar female vocalists including Nnenna Freelon (“Black Iris” was a standout), René Marie (her tribute to Harry Belafonte drew cheers and tears in nostalgic remembrance), Lisa Fischer (stepping back into the spotlight from “20 Feet From Stardom” as a backup singer to so many greats), and Ledisi (bold, jazzy, sultry, offering lessons in self-love, which she dedicated to all women in the audience, and notably Black women).
“Tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club,” with the Jorge Luis Pacheco Trio, was a crowd thriller. The piano surely needed re-tuning after the phenomenal workout the virtuoso pianist/singer/composer Pacheco threw down.
At Trombone Shorty’s pinnacle closing performance, it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the performers or the fans. The multi-talented New Orleans mega-star took the stage gleaming in sequined denim, leading the packed audience in a joyous ride with his party-perfect band and a jubilant non-stop second line parade through the Arena.
Each year, MJF faithfully offers a soul-filling experience that keeps patrons coming back. San Diegans Cathy Funk and husband Dan, attending for their fourth year, love the live music and the ambiance. René Marie’s “Tribute to Harry Belafonte” was a favorite, and she especially loved being able to “mix it up” with artists at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, where they stayed this year.
Other highlights: Christian Sands’ elegant commissioned piece, “Reflections from the Shore: A Monterey Suite”; Texas Southern University Cadence Chorale, who brought church to the Garden Stage on Sunday; guitarist/songwriter Cory Wong, whose extraordinary jam featured blues, funk, rock and jazz; and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and Women in Jazz Combo, composed of talented high school students from across the country, once again keeping the promise of jazz alive.
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