Monterey Jazz Festival Announces Finalists for Next Generation Festival, April 9 - 11, 2010 in Downtown Monterey

Monterey Jazz Festival's Next Generation Festival Hosts Country's Top Young Jazz Musicians, April 9 ’Äì 11, 2010 in Downtown Monterey  Jazz Competition Celebrates 40 Years of Jazz Education by MJF 63 Big Bands, Combos, and Vocal Ensembles From 13 States Compete For Spot on MJF Stages 47 Bands from 13 California Counties Are Finalists Special Appearances by Student Groups from Alaska, Montana, Illinois, Kansas, and Texas 4-Time Grammy Winner Dianne Reeves Acts as Artist-In-Residence All Competition Events and Activities Open to the Public, Free of Charge

March 3, 2010; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival, a nonprofit leader in jazz education since its inception in 1958 and JazzTimes Readers’Äô Poll multi-year winner for world's Best Jazz Festival, is proud to announce the 6th Annual Next Generation Festival, April 9 - 11, 2010 in downtown Monterey. The weekend event, devoted to the future of jazz, includes the Next Generation Festival Jazz Competition with Big Bands, Combos, Vocal Ensembles, and individual musicians vying for a spot on the stages of the 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon. A three-year grant from the Surdna Foundation supports the Next Generation Festival and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra's international tours. The Surdna Foundation’Äôs Arts Program is national in scope and supports the artistic advancement of teens, ages 12 - 18. Attracting musicians from some of the most prestigious educational programs in the United States, over 2000 students will participate in this year’Äôs Next Generation Festival, representing the largest gathering of young jazz talent on the Monterey Peninsula outside of the Monterey Jazz Festival itself. In 2010, sixty-three groups from thirteen states, (including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and the state of Washington) will participate in the Next Generation Festival, the largest selection of groups from the widest variety of states to come to Monterey in the forty-year history of the event -- more than double the amount of represented states from 2009. All Next Generation Festival competition events -- from the Kick-Off Concert on Friday, April 9 (featuring internationally-renowned jazz artists who act as judges of the Next Generation Festival) -- to the exuberant and electric Big Band, Vocal Ensemble and Combo Competition on Saturday, April 10 and the College Big Band Vocal Jazz Ensemble competition on Sunday, April 11, will be open to the public, free of charge. The Festival will also conduct clinics, workshops, jam sessions, and auditions in the heart of the historic Monterey, with music to be performed at the Monterey Conference Center, the host Portola Plaza Hotel, at Fisherman’Äôs Wharf, and Cannery Row. For a complete schedule of activities and competition times, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org. California, one of the strongholds of music education, has schools from thirteen counties represented in the festival ’Äì including Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Yolo Counties. In addition, the Next Generation Festival will present special guest groups from Alaska, Montana, Illinois, Kansas, and Texas throughout the weekend. ’ÄúI was very impressed with the numbers of applicants we had this year as it showed a nearly 30% increase in applications over the past year,’Äù said MJF Education Director, Dr. Rob Klevan. ’ÄúWe also had twenty states and two countries represented in the auditions and ended up with a total of 63 ensembles as finalists and ’Äúspecial guest’Äù groups representing 13 states. I think it shows how popular this event is becoming, and therefore, how much more competitive it is to be selected to participate. The ensembles selected for the 2010 Next Generation Festival are truly the best of the best and I know we are in for a special treat next April 9 - 11.’Äù The Next Generation Festival will officially start with the annual Kick-Off Concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 9 at the Monterey Conference Center. The opening night's activities will feature the Festival's annual Salute to Jazz Education with performances by the internationally-renowned competition judges, including pianist Alan Pasqua, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonists Billy Harper, Paul Contos, Mary Fettig, and Aaron Lington; trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire; bassist Ray Drummond, and vocalists Matt Falker, Jennifer Barnes, and Michele Weir. Entry to the Salute to Jazz Education and Kick-Off Concert is open to the public, free of charge. Also featured during the evening concert will be the Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence, 4-time Grammy winning vocalist, Dianne Reeves. MJF's Next Generation Festival Jazz Competition starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 10 in downtown Monterey's Conference Center, with high-energy big bands, combos, and vocal ensembles creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. Throughout the day, participants in the High School Big Band, Vocal, and Combo divisions will put on their best performances before the judges, who will determine the top groups and outstanding soloists. The top groups of the day in the High School Vocal, Combo, and Big Band divisions will be announced at 6:15 p.m. Saturday evening from the Conference Center's Serra Ballroom stage. At 8 p.m. Saturday night, the top vocal ensembles, combo, and Big Band finalists will take the stage in the Next Generation Festival's Showcase Concert -- a preview of the groups performing at MJF/53. The Next Generation Festival will also host a variety of educational clinics on Saturday, April 9, including presentations by MJF Artist-In-Residence, Dianne Reeves. The Next Generation Festival continues through Sunday, April 11 with the country's top middle school, college, conglomerate big bands and combos, and college vocal ensembles performing in the Conference Center's Serra Ballroom and Steinbeck Forum. The top college big band, college vocal ensemble, and conglomerate big band (to be announced during the day) will also earn a performance slot at MJF/52. New for 2010 will be the Open Combo Division, another expansion of performance opportunities at the Next Generation Festival. Auditions will also be held throughout the Next Generation Festival weekend for the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and for the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, MJF’Äôs national all-star high school band. The Next Generation Festival is continuing two new partnership elements introduced last year: an Instrument Showcase and College Fair. The Instrument Showcase will allow musicians an opportunity to play various instruments from participating partners. The College Fair will allow students an opportunity to visit with several colleges offering jazz and other music programs. Both activities will be offered throughout the Next Generation Festival weekend. All Next Generation Festival competition activities from April 9 - 11 are open to the public, free of charge. More information on all Next Generation Festival activities and events is available on the MJF website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org and by phone at 831-373-3366. Next Generation Festival partners and supporters include the Surdna Foundation and longtime MJF partner Yamaha, providing instruments for Next Generation Festival stages. Additional support for the Next Generation Festival comes from generous individuals and organizations such as AT&T Foundation, the D’ÄôAddario Music Foundation, the Joseph Drown Foundation, Evans Drumheads, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Planet Waves Accessories, and Rico Reeds. MJF's Jazz Education Programs are made possible through the financial support of foundations, corporate partners, and most importantly, through friends of the Monterey Jazz Festival. Gifts provide funds that help MJF attract the best and brightest students from coast to coast, regardless of financial status. Donations to MJF's Jazz Education Programs may be made on-site during the Next Generation Festival, April 9 - 11. More information on all Next Generation Festival activities and events is available on the MJF website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org and by phone at 831-373-3366. 2010 Next Generation Festival Finalists and Participants HIGH SCHOOL BIG BAND DIVISION School City State Director Albany High School Albany CA Craig Bryant Arts and Communication Magnet Academy Beaverton OR Conte Bennett Buchanan High School Clovis CA Paul Lucckesi Davis Senior High School Davis CA Fredrick Lange El Dorado High School "1" Placentia CA Richard Watson Folsom High School "1" Folsom CA Curtis Gaesser Hamilton Academy of Music ’ÄúA’Äù Los Angeles CA Jim Foschia Lakota East High School Liberty Township OH Todd Hartman Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Los Angeles CA Jason Goldman Northgate High School Walnut Creek CA Greg Brown Rio Americano High School "AM" Sacramento CA Josh Murray Valley Christian High School San Jose CA Dave Gregoric HIGH SCHOOL COMBO DIVISION School City State Director Berkeley High School ’ÄúA’Äù Berkeley CA Scott Dailey Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences Santa Monica CA Evan Avery Hamilton Academy of Music ’ÄúA’Äù Los Angeles CA Jim Foschia Las Vegas Academy ’ÄúPrime’Äù Las Vegas NV Patrick Bowen Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Los Angeles CA Jason Goldman Rio Americano High School Sacramento CA Josh Murray HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL DIVISION School City State Director Arlington High School ’ÄúJazzmine’Äù Arlington WA Lyle Forde Arts West High School Eagle ID Jeff Baker Downey High School Downey CA Cory Olariu Folsom High School "1" Folsom CA Curtis Gaesser Fullerton Union High School Fullerton CA Jill DeWeese Hamilton Academy of Music Los Angeles CA John Hamilton Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Los Angeles CA Pat Bass Lutheran High School of Orange County Orange CA Daniel Vu CONGLOMERATE BIG BAND DIVISION Ensemble City State Director American Music Program Portland OR Thara Memory Jazzschool Monday Night Studio Band Berkeley CA Keith Johnson Jazzschool Thursday Night Studio Band Berkeley CA Keith Johnson SFJAZZ High School All-Stars San Francisco CA Paul Contos Tucson Jazz Institute 'Basie' Band Tucson AZ Doug Tidaback Tucson Jazz Institute 'Ellington' Band Tucson AZ Doug Tidaback COLLEGE BIG BAND DIVISION School City State Director Azusa Pacific Azusa CA David Beatty CSU Northridge "A" Northridge CA Matt Harris Sacramento State University "1" Sacramento CA Steve Roach University of Nevada, Las Vegas "1" Las Vegas NV David Loeb University of Southern California Thornton School of Music Los Angeles CA Bob Mintzer University of the Pacific Stockton CA Patrick Langham COLLEGE VOCAL ENSEMBLE DIVISION Ensemble City State Director American River College Sacramento CA Art Lapierre Contra Costa College San Pablo CA Stephanie Austin Cuesta College San Luis Obispo CA John Knutson Mt. San Antonio College Walnut CA Bruce Rogers Sacramento State University "C-Sus" Sacramento CA Kerry Marsh Sacramento State University Jazz Singers Sacramento CA Kerry Marsh OPEN COMBO DIVISION Ensemble City State Director California State University, Northridge Combo "1" Northridge CA Matt Harris California State University, Northridge Combo "2" Northridge CA Matt Harris Chase Morrin Group San Diego CA Chase Morrin Miami University STAMPS Quintet Coral Gables FL Chuck Bergeron Sacramento State University  "Child's Madness" Sacramento CA Steve Roach Sacramento State University Combo "1¬‡" Sacramento CA Steve Roach MIDDLE SCHOOL BIG BAND DIVISION School City State Director Alta Sierra Middle School Clovis CA Paul Lucckesi Borel Middle School San Mateo CA Brian Switzer Eagle Rock Jr. Middle School Los Angeles CA Greg Samuel Folsom Middle School Folsom CA John Zimny La Paz Intermediate Mission Viejo CA Dan Robbins Sutter Middle School Folsom CA John Zimny SPECIAL GUEST GROUPS Ensemble City State Director Alaska Jazz Workshop Anchorage AK John Damberg Columbia Falls High School Columbia Falls MT Karen Ulmer East St. Louis Senior High School Jazz Band East St. Louis IL Delano Redmond, Sr. Kansas City Youth Jazz Band Mission KS Leon Brady Texas Southern University ’ÄúPlatinum’Äù Houston TX Bert Cross II Texas Southern University Jazz Bands Houston TX Horace Young & Marvin Sparks     West Ranch High School Jazz Band Stevenson Ranch CA Bob Babko About The Next Generation Festival and MJF Jazz Education Programs The Monterey Jazz Festival is dedicated to perpetuating the uniquely American form of music known as jazz by producing performances that celebrate the legacy and expand the boundaries of jazz; and by presenting year-round local, regional, national, and international jazz education programs. The Monterey Jazz Festival is a nonprofit organization and has donated its proceeds to musical education since its inception in 1958. These hands-on, cutting-edge educational components include the Traveling Clinician and Latin Jazz Programs, with professional musicians visiting Monterey County schools to teach students how to play and improvise in jazz and Latin styles; the Artist-In-Residence Program, which brings a leading jazz performer to work with students throughout the year; the MJF Summer Jazz Camp, the MJF Instrument and Sheet Music Library, the MJF Digital Music Education Project, the Next Generation Festival, the Monterey County High School All-Star Band, the MJF Middle School Honor Band and MJF Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.  The genesis of the Next Generation Festival started in 1971 when Jimmy Lyons, founder and General Manager of the Monterey Jazz Festival, began presenting the top groups of the California High School Jazz Band Competition on the final day of the MJF. Over the years, some of the young musicians who have participated in what tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman describes as ’Äúthe Superbowl of California high school jazz competitions’Äù have gone on to become stars of their generation their own right: saxophonists Joshua Redman, Dave Koz, and Dave Ellis, pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen, multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum, bassist Larry Grenadier, and many more. In 2005, the competition was expanded ’Äì adding more educational components ’Äì and renamed the Next Generation Festival, and the High School All-Star Band morphed into the Next Generation Orchestra. Now in its sixth year, the Next Generation Festival draws upon 40 years of educational experience, history and innovation to its expanding lineup and scope.  ### For more information please contact: Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate Monterey Jazz Festival Direct Line: 510-652-1122 MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252 Email: timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org www.montereyjazzfestival.org

March 3, 2010; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival, a nonprofit leader in jazz education since its inception in 1958 and JazzTimes Readers’Äô Poll multi-year winner for world's Best Jazz Festival, is proud to announce the 6th Annual Next Generation Festival, April 9 - 11, 2010 in downtown Monterey. The weekend event, devoted to the future of jazz, includes the Next Generation Festival Jazz Competition with Big Bands, Combos, Vocal Ensembles, and individual musicians vying for a spot on the stages of the 53rd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon.

A three-year grant from the Surdna Foundation supports the Next Generation Festival and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra's international tours. The Surdna Foundation’Äôs Arts Program is national in scope and supports the artistic advancement of teens, ages 12 - 18.

Attracting musicians from some of the most prestigious educational programs in the United States, over 2000 students will participate in this year’Äôs Next Generation Festival, representing the largest gathering of young jazz talent on the Monterey Peninsula outside of the Monterey Jazz Festival itself.

In 2010, sixty-three groups from thirteen states, (including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and the state of Washington) will participate in the Next Generation Festival, the largest selection of groups from the widest variety of states to come to Monterey in the forty-year history of the event -- more than double the amount of represented states from 2009.

All Next Generation Festival competition events -- from the Kick-Off Concert on Friday, April 9 (featuring internationally-renowned jazz artists who act as judges of the Next Generation Festival) -- to the exuberant and electric Big Band, Vocal Ensemble and Combo Competition on Saturday, April 10 and the College Big Band Vocal Jazz Ensemble competition on Sunday, April 11, will be open to the public, free of charge.

The Festival will also conduct clinics, workshops, jam sessions, and auditions in the heart of the historic Monterey, with music to be performed at the Monterey Conference Center, the host Portola Plaza Hotel, at Fisherman’Äôs Wharf, and Cannery Row. For a complete schedule of activities and competition times, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

California, one of the strongholds of music education, has schools from thirteen counties represented in the festival ’Äì including Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Yolo Counties.

In addition, the Next Generation Festival will present special guest groups from Alaska, Montana, Illinois, Kansas, and Texas throughout the weekend.

’ÄúI was very impressed with the numbers of applicants we had this year as it showed a nearly 30% increase in applications over the past year,’Äù said MJF Education Director, Dr. Rob Klevan. ’ÄúWe also had twenty states and two countries represented in the auditions and ended up with a total of 63 ensembles as finalists and ’Äúspecial guest’Äù groups representing 13 states. I think it shows how popular this event is becoming, and therefore, how much more competitive it is to be selected to participate. The ensembles selected for the 2010 Next Generation Festival are truly the best of the best and I know we are in for a special treat next April 9 - 11.’Äù

The Next Generation Festival will officially start with the annual Kick-Off Concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 9 at the Monterey Conference Center. The opening night's activities will feature the Festival's annual Salute to Jazz Education with performances by the internationally-renowned competition judges, including pianist Alan Pasqua, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonists Billy Harper, Paul Contos, Mary Fettig, and Aaron Lington; trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire; bassist Ray Drummond, and vocalists Matt Falker, Jennifer Barnes, and Michele Weir. Entry to the Salute to Jazz Education and Kick-Off Concert is open to the public, free of charge. Also featured during the evening concert will be the Monterey Jazz Festival Artist-In-Residence, 4-time Grammy winning vocalist, Dianne Reeves.

MJF's Next Generation Festival Jazz Competition starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 10 in downtown Monterey's Conference Center, with high-energy big bands, combos, and vocal ensembles creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement.

Throughout the day, participants in the High School Big Band, Vocal, and Combo divisions will put on their best performances before the judges, who will determine the top groups and outstanding soloists. The top groups of the day in the High School Vocal, Combo, and Big Band divisions will be announced at 6:15 p.m. Saturday evening from the Conference Center's Serra Ballroom stage. At 8 p.m. Saturday night, the top vocal ensembles, combo, and Big Band finalists will take the stage in the Next Generation Festival's Showcase Concert -- a preview of the groups performing at MJF/53.

The Next Generation Festival will also host a variety of educational clinics on Saturday, April 9, including presentations by MJF Artist-In-Residence, Dianne Reeves.

The Next Generation Festival continues through Sunday, April 11 with the country's top middle school, college, conglomerate big bands and combos, and college vocal ensembles performing in the Conference Center's Serra Ballroom and Steinbeck Forum. The top college big band, college vocal ensemble, and conglomerate big band (to be announced during the day) will also earn a performance slot at MJF/52. New for 2010 will be the Open Combo Division, another expansion of performance opportunities at the Next Generation Festival.

Auditions will also be held throughout the Next Generation Festival weekend for the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and for the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, MJF’Äôs national all-star high school band.

The Next Generation Festival is continuing two new partnership elements introduced last year: an Instrument Showcase and College Fair. The Instrument Showcase will allow musicians an opportunity to play various instruments from participating partners. The College Fair will allow students an opportunity to visit with several colleges offering jazz and other music programs. Both activities will be offered throughout the Next Generation Festival weekend.

All Next Generation Festival competition activities from April 9 - 11 are open to the public, free of charge. More information on all Next Generation Festival activities and events is available on the MJF website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org and by phone at 831-373-3366.

Next Generation Festival partners and supporters include the Surdna Foundation and longtime MJF partner Yamaha, providing instruments for Next Generation Festival stages. Additional support for the Next Generation Festival comes from generous individuals and organizations such as AT&T Foundation, the D’ÄôAddario Music Foundation, the Joseph Drown Foundation, Evans Drumheads, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Planet Waves Accessories, and Rico Reeds.

MJF's Jazz Education Programs are made possible through the financial support of foundations, corporate partners, and most importantly, through friends of the Monterey Jazz Festival. Gifts provide funds that help MJF attract the best and brightest students from coast to coast, regardless of financial status. Donations to MJF's Jazz Education Programs may be made on-site during the Next Generation Festival, April 9 - 11.

More information on all Next Generation Festival activities and events is available on the MJF website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org and by phone at 831-373-3366.

2010 Next Generation Festival Finalists and Participants

HIGH SCHOOL BIG BAND DIVISION
School	City	State	Director
Albany High School	Albany	CA	Craig Bryant
Arts and Communication Magnet Academy	Beaverton	OR	Conte Bennett
Buchanan High School	Clovis	CA	Paul Lucckesi
Davis Senior High School	Davis	CA	Fredrick Lange
El Dorado High School "1"	Placentia	CA	Richard Watson
Folsom High School "1"	Folsom	CA	Curtis Gaesser
Hamilton Academy of Music ’ÄúA’Äù	Los Angeles	CA	Jim Foschia
Lakota East High School	Liberty Township	OH	Todd Hartman
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	Los Angeles	CA	Jason Goldman
Northgate High School	Walnut Creek	CA	Greg Brown
Rio Americano High School "AM"	Sacramento	CA	Josh Murray
Valley Christian High School	San Jose	CA	Dave Gregoric
HIGH SCHOOL COMBO DIVISION
School	City	State	Director
Berkeley High School ’ÄúA’Äù	Berkeley	CA	Scott Dailey
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences	Santa Monica	CA	Evan Avery
Hamilton Academy of Music ’ÄúA’Äù	Los Angeles	CA	Jim Foschia
Las Vegas Academy ’ÄúPrime’Äù	Las Vegas	NV	Patrick Bowen
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	Los Angeles	CA	Jason Goldman
Rio Americano High School	Sacramento	CA	Josh Murray
HIGH SCHOOL VOCAL DIVISION
School	City	State	Director
Arlington High School ’ÄúJazzmine’Äù	Arlington	WA	Lyle Forde
Arts West High School	Eagle	ID	Jeff Baker
Downey High School	Downey	CA	Cory Olariu
Folsom High School "1"	Folsom	CA	Curtis Gaesser
Fullerton Union High School	Fullerton	CA	Jill DeWeese
Hamilton Academy of Music	Los Angeles	CA	John Hamilton
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	Los Angeles	CA	Pat Bass
Lutheran High School of Orange County	Orange	CA	Daniel Vu
CONGLOMERATE BIG BAND DIVISION
Ensemble	City	State	Director
American Music Program	Portland	OR	Thara Memory
Jazzschool Monday Night Studio Band	Berkeley	CA	Keith Johnson
Jazzschool Thursday Night Studio Band	Berkeley	CA	Keith Johnson
SFJAZZ High School All-Stars	San Francisco	CA	Paul Contos
Tucson Jazz Institute 'Basie' Band	Tucson	AZ	Doug Tidaback
Tucson Jazz Institute 'Ellington' Band	Tucson	AZ	Doug Tidaback
COLLEGE BIG BAND DIVISION
School	City	State	Director
Azusa Pacific	Azusa	CA	David Beatty
CSU Northridge "A"	Northridge	CA	Matt Harris
Sacramento State University "1"	Sacramento	CA	Steve Roach
University of Nevada, Las Vegas "1"	Las Vegas	NV	David Loeb
University of Southern California Thornton School of Music	Los Angeles	CA	Bob Mintzer
University of the Pacific	Stockton	CA	Patrick Langham
COLLEGE VOCAL ENSEMBLE DIVISION
Ensemble	City	State	Director
American River College	Sacramento	CA	Art Lapierre
Contra Costa College	San Pablo	CA	Stephanie Austin
Cuesta College	San Luis Obispo	CA	John Knutson
Mt. San Antonio College	Walnut	CA	Bruce Rogers
Sacramento State University "C-Sus"	Sacramento	CA	Kerry Marsh
Sacramento State University Jazz Singers	Sacramento	CA	Kerry Marsh
OPEN COMBO DIVISION
Ensemble	City	State	Director
California State University, Northridge Combo "1"	Northridge	CA	Matt Harris
California State University, Northridge Combo "2"	Northridge	CA	Matt Harris
Chase Morrin Group	San Diego	CA	Chase Morrin
Miami University STAMPS Quintet	Coral Gables	FL	Chuck Bergeron
Sacramento State University  "Child's Madness"	Sacramento	CA	Steve Roach
Sacramento State University Combo "1¬‡"	Sacramento	CA	Steve Roach
MIDDLE SCHOOL BIG BAND DIVISION
School	City	State	Director
Alta Sierra Middle School	Clovis	CA	Paul Lucckesi
Borel Middle School	San Mateo	CA	Brian Switzer
Eagle Rock Jr. Middle School	Los Angeles	CA	Greg Samuel
Folsom Middle School	Folsom	CA	John Zimny
La Paz Intermediate	Mission Viejo	CA	Dan Robbins
Sutter Middle School	Folsom	CA	John Zimny
SPECIAL GUEST GROUPS
Ensemble	City	State	Director
Alaska Jazz Workshop	Anchorage	AK	John Damberg
Columbia Falls High School	Columbia Falls	MT	Karen Ulmer
East St. Louis Senior High School Jazz Band	East St. Louis	IL	Delano Redmond, Sr.
Kansas City Youth Jazz Band	Mission	KS	Leon Brady
Texas Southern University ’ÄúPlatinum’Äù	Houston	TX	Bert Cross II
Texas Southern University Jazz Bands	Houston	TX	Horace Young & Marvin Sparks
West Ranch High School Jazz Band	Stevenson Ranch	CA	Bob Babko

About The Next Generation Festival and MJF Jazz Education Programs

The Monterey Jazz Festival is dedicated to perpetuating the uniquely American form of music known as jazz by producing performances that celebrate the legacy and expand the boundaries of jazz; and by presenting year-round local, regional, national, and international jazz education programs. The Monterey Jazz Festival is a nonprofit organization and has donated its proceeds to musical education since its inception in 1958. These hands-on, cutting-edge educational components include the Traveling Clinician and Latin Jazz Programs, with professional musicians visiting Monterey County schools to teach students how to play and improvise in jazz and Latin styles; the Artist-In-Residence Program, which brings a leading jazz performer to work with students throughout the year; the MJF Summer Jazz Camp, the MJF Instrument and Sheet Music Library, the MJF Digital Music Education Project, the Next Generation Festival, the Monterey County High School All-Star Band, the MJF Middle School Honor Band and MJF Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. 

The genesis of the Next Generation Festival started in 1971 when Jimmy Lyons, founder and General Manager of the Monterey Jazz Festival, began presenting the top groups of the California High School Jazz Band Competition on the final day of the MJF. Over the years, some of the young musicians who have participated in what tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman describes as ’Äúthe Superbowl of California high school jazz competitions’Äù have gone on to become stars of their generation their own right: saxophonists Joshua Redman, Dave Koz, and Dave Ellis, pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen, multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum, bassist Larry Grenadier, and many more. In 2005, the competition was expanded ’Äì adding more educational components ’Äì and renamed the Next Generation Festival, and the High School All-Star Band morphed into the Next Generation Orchestra. Now in its sixth year, the Next Generation Festival draws upon 40 years of educational experience, history and innovation to its expanding lineup and scope.