Lakecia Benjamin with Kurt Elling, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and more

Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling is known for his incredible range, soulful performances, and blending jazz, R&B, and poetry. He has collaborated with artists like Charlie Hunter and Branford Marsalis, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards.

Dee Dee Bridgewater, born in Memphis, Tennessee, is a Grammy and Tony Award-winning jazz vocalist and actress. Renowned for her unique interpretations of standards and re-envisioning jazz classics, she blends jazz with R&B and soul. She has collaborated with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Bill Charlap, releasing acclaimed albums such as "Dear Ella" and "Eleanora Fagan: To Billie With Love". An NEA Jazz Master, she is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador.

Six-time GRAMMY nominee Lakecia Benjamin is an alto saxophonist, MC, and bandleader. Known for acclaimed albums like Phoenix and Pursuance: The Coltranes, she has earned praise from major publications and honors from the Library of Congress and Jazz Journalists Association.

The Monterey Jazz Festival, established in 1958 by Jimmy Lyons and Ralph J. Gleason, is the world's longest continuously-running jazz festival. It showcases diverse jazz styles, from traditional to avant-garde, including blues and world music. Known for legendary performers and nurturing new talent, it champions jazz education and commissions new works. The festival has garnered awards for its significant cultural impact.