Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 22, 2007

Monterey Jazz Festival Turns 50
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=199810F:A6F02AD83191E16061E6C0424E765D849574F7DCC14957C0 One of world's
longest-running festivals celebrates milestone anniversary with lineup
of stars likely to draw record-breaking attendance One of the world's
longest-running jazz festivals celebrates a milestone anniversary this
month (9/21-9/23) with a lineup of jazz stars that's likely to draw a
record-breaking attendance. VOA's Doug Levine previews the 50th Annual
Monterey Jazz Festival.

Only a few living today can say that they performed at the very first
Monterey Jazz Festival in October 1958. Pianist Dave Brubeck is one.
He appeared there with Louis Armstrong, Gerry Mulligan, Billie
Holiday, The Modern Jazz Quartet and others now long gone.







Sonny RollinsSaxophonist Sonny Rollins also played at Monterey's
debut, and along with Brubeck, will return to the main stage to help
celebrate the festival's golden anniversary.

The original location at the county fairgrounds in Monterey,
California is where all the action takes place. But, what began as a
jazz festival has, over the years, become so much more. In 1966, rock
and blues were introduced via Jefferson Airplane and Muddy Waters.
Later, Janis Joplin, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Ray Charles filled
the bill, with Latin jazz and funk groups eventually making their
presence known.







Monterrey Jazz Festival performanceWith nine stages of non-stop music,
this year's festival merges the past, present and future. Along with
Brubeck and Rollins, appearing are veterans Ornette Coleman, Jim Hall,
Dave Holland, Kenny Burrell and Ernestine Anderson. Trumpeter Terence
Blanchard, the 2007 Artist-In-Residence at Monterey, will debut his
composition "Requiem For Katrina" with the Monterey Jazz Festival
Chamber Orchestra, and bandleader Gerald Wilson is set to give the
world premiere of his commissioned work "Monterey Moods." Sunday
afternoon (9/23) is reserved for the winning high school bands from
the annual Next Generation Festival.

Returning to Monterey for her third time since 1999 is vocalist Diana
Krall, who will have fans rushing out to buy her new CD, The Very Best
Of Diana Krall.


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