Make your plans for the 2010 Monterey Jazz Festival - September 17-19

One of the many star-studded events at this year’s Jazz Fest is the 2010 Jazz Legends Gala – and this year the evening honors George Wein. Hosted by legendary jazz aficionado Clint Eastwood and his wife Dina, the Gala is September 16 at Mission Ranch in Carmel. Even better, proceeds from this event support the Monterey Jazz Festival Education Programs. Mr. Wein is the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival and 2005 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts “Jazz Master” Award. The Gala will feature the presentation of the Jazz Legends Award to Mr. Wein and will also include an evening of cocktails, a sumptuous gourmet dinner and a special duo performance by the Monterey Jazz Festival’s 2010 Artist-In-Residence, four-time Grammy®-winning vocalist, Dianne Reeves with pianist Peter Martin. The Gala is $225 per person, with net proceeds supporting the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Education Programs, considered to be some of the most highly regarded in the country. The Jazz Legends Award was first presented to pianist Dave Brubeck in 2007, and to the composer, trumpeter and bandleader, Gerald Wilson, in 2008. MJF’s Education Programs have a strong impact on students and schools from coast to coast. Programs 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 Digital Music Education Program, the Next Generation Jazz 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. For details about the Festival’s life-changing youth jazz education programs, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Seating is limited at the Gala, early reservations are recommended. To make reservations or get more information about this event, visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org or call Eva Quiroz-Mojica at 831-373-3366, or by email at [email protected]. Where to stay while at the Fest? At the Inns of Monterey, naturally, a proud sponsor of this year’s Festival.