The 2009 Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Festival

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Big Bands, Combos, And Vocal Ensembles From 6 States Compete For Spot
On MJF. Stages 47 Bands From 14 Counties In California Are Finalists
Special Appearances By Student Groups From Japan and England. The
Monterey Jazz Festival, a nonprofit leader in jazz education since its
inception in 1958 and JazzTimes Readers’ Poll multi-year winner for
world’s Best Jazz Festival, is proud to announce the 5th Annual Next
Generation Festival, April 3 – 5, 2009 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 52nd 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’s Arts Program is national
in scope and supports the artistic advancement of teens, ages 12 – 18. All
Next Generation Festival competition events – from the Kick-Off Concert
on Friday, April 3 to the exuberant and electric big band, vocal
ensemble and combo competition on Saturday, April 4 and the College Big
Band Vocal Jazz Ensemble finals on Sunday, April 5 – 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’s Wharf, Cannery Row, and at
Monterey Live.