Monterey Jazz Festival 1999

Sunday

Sunday Afternoon we split up. Edi Had to go see the choirs performing in Dizzy's Den. I saw the first couple of numbers (and they were outstanding) but bailed out to go see the band I played in several years ago, the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All Star Big Band (how's that for a name!).

Terrance with the MJF High School All Stars Bill Berry and Clark Terry

This year, Bill Berry directed as usual and brought in Terrance Blanchard, Clark Terry and Lennie Neihaus to play with the band.

Bill Berry playing a number with the High School All Stars

They were followed by none other than The Manhattan Transfer. This was our first time seeing them and it was fantastic entertainment. They make it look so easy!

The Manhattan Transfer

Varrin and Cliff Almond

It turns out their drummer, Cliff Almond, is some who I was turned onto a few years ago via a Michel Camilo CD. I hadn't heard of him prior to that and didn't know he was with Manhattan Transfer. After the show I had the pleasure of talking to him for a few minutes. He's a super nice guy and an amazing drummer.

Edi with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer

Here's Edi with Janis Siegel from The Manhattan Transfer. One of the cool things about the Monterey Jazz Festival is that we sometimes get the opportunity to meet some of the artists. This was just one of those neat opportunities.

By Sunday night we were whooped! Unfortunately we had to come back Sunday night so we didn't stay for the whole Sunday evening show. We did, however, get to see Terrance Blanchard with his group and a chamber orchestra doing several jazz film pieces. He was followed by the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra.

Toshiko Akiyoshi was commissioned to write a piece for this years festival in honor of Duke Ellington. It was a 3 movement piece which she described in her humorous Japanese style as "Duke's birth, Eulogy, and, well, sort of a Duke lives on kind of thing". It was really an outstanding piece which melded the big band style Duke was known for with a Japanese flair. Edi and I bugged out prior to the closer, Joshua Redman. We had seen him play Saturday evening during the Clint Eastwood segment and needed to get back and get some rest. Next year we'll probably try to stay through the whole show Sunday and spend the night but that just wasn't possible this year. So there it is! All that in one weekend! We can't wait to see what next year brings to the best jazz festival in the world, Monterey!