The Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the most iconic jazz festivals in the world—but Monterey Jazz is about much more than three days of incredible music.

In this special episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence welcomes Bobbie Young, Managing Director of Monterey Jazz, and Mike Knapek, Monterey Jazz board member, for a fascinating conversation about the music, history, education, community, and future of this legendary jazz institution.

Founded in 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival has welcomed an extraordinary list of jazz greats to its stages, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Charles Mingus, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Charles Lloyd, and countless others.

But as Bobbie and Mike explain, the festival is only part of the story.

You'll discover the remarkable year-round educational mission of Monterey Jazz, including the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Women in Jazz Combo, Regional All-Star ensembles, community outreach programs, jazz camps, and other initiatives designed to introduce young musicians to jazz and help develop the next generation of artists.

We also explore the history of the festival and the vision of Jimmy Lyons and Ralph J. Gleason, hear stories about legendary performers, and talk about what makes attending Monterey such a unique experience—from multiple stages and incredible performances to the community of jazz lovers who return year after year.

And, of course, Bobbie gives us a preview of the 2026 Monterey Jazz Festival, including appearances by Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, Joey Alexander, Gerald Clayton, Ambrose Akinmusire, and many more.

Whether you're a jazz pianist, jazz student, educator, lifelong jazz fan, or simply someone who loves this music, this conversation provides a wonderful look behind the scenes at an organization that has been supporting jazz for nearly seven decades.

As Dr. Bob says during the conversation:

Jazz needs Monterey.

CHAPTERS

00:00:01 Welcome Bobbie Young & Mike Knapek
00:00:46 Meet Bobbie Young: Managing Director of Monterey Jazz
00:04:03 Meet Mike Knapek: Monterey Jazz Board Member
00:07:54 The History of the Monterey Jazz Festival
00:11:24 George Coleman & the Legacy of the First Festival
00:14:02 Jimmy Lyons, Erroll Garner & Concert by the Sea
00:16:18 What Would Jimmy Lyons Recognize Today?
00:19:46 The Future of Monterey Jazz
00:22:14 Jazz Education at Monterey
00:24:35 The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
00:26:25 Women in Jazz & Community Education
00:30:08 Serving People Through Music
00:31:29 Monterey Jazz Is More Than a Three-Day Festival
00:33:30 Trading Fours & Year-Round Education
00:34:36 The Possibilities for Online Jazz Education
00:35:53 Monterey Jazz Summer Camp
00:37:00 The Monterey Jazz Festival Experience
00:41:49 After-Hours Jam Sessions & Festival Stories
00:44:17 Evolving Monterey Jazz for the Next Generation
00:45:53 Jazz Needs Monterey
00:46:19 The 2026 Monterey Jazz Festival
00:47:37 Wynton Marsalis, Cécile McLorin Salvant & Friday Night
00:49:05 Saturday & Sunday Festival Highlights
00:52:05 Herbie Hancock & Ron Carter
00:54:00 The Legends Who Have Played Monterey
00:57:38 What Everyone Should Know About Monterey Jazz
01:00:31 Closing Thoughts: Jazz Needs Monterey

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