June 30, 2008; Monterey, CA; The Monterey Jazz Festival is proud to announce the “Evenings by the Bay” concert series, produced in collaboration with The Monterey Bay Aquarium. Taking place Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Aquarium from July 5 through August 31, the concert series features some of the most talented student musicians in the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Jazz Education Programs. The “Evenings by the Bay” series provides professional performance opportunities for student musicians and enhanced value and entertainment for Aquarium visitors, already an internationally-renowned destination for all ages.

"This is a wonderful performance opportunity for the students involved in our Jazz Education Program,” said Dr. Rob Klevan, Education Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival. “Not only do they gain from the experience of playing in a combo setting in front of an audience, but for many this will be their first 'paid' gig. We thank our friends at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and look forward to future collaborations."

Mimi Hahn, Director of Marketing for the Aquarium, added, “We’re thrilled to have these talented young musicians performing for our guests. Many of them are from the Monterey County All-Star Band and can hold their own with the best of the best.”

All concerts will take place on the first floor in the Marine Mammal Galleries section of the aquarium.

Student musicians will be announced at the time of the presentation, along with special guest performers.

About the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Education Programs

Starting with a modest $35,000 scholarship fund in 1970, the Monterey Jazz Festival now invests over $800,000 annually in jazz education through a variety of different programs which are a model of arts education for the entire nation. These hands-on, cutting-edge educational components 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 Education Music Project, the Next Generation 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.

About the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Since its opening in 1984 on Monterey’s historic Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s mission has been to inspire conservation of the oceans. Consistently ranked #1 in the United States for its innovative exhibits and unsurpassed visitor experience, and with more than 35,000 creatures representing over 550 species in nearly 200 exhibits filling 34 major galleries, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a showcase for the habitats and sea life of one of the world’s richest marine regions. Named the #1 family-friendly aquarium by Parents Magazine and the best aquarium and the third overall family attraction in the country according to the Zagat Survey® U.S. Family Travel Guide, the aquarium has also grown to become one of the leading ocean conservation organizations in the world.

Over its first two decades, the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium has been lauded for creating an expertly designed “undersea tour” of Monterey Bay’s hidden world. From coastal wetlands to the open sea, from kelp forests to a mile-deep submarine canyon, the bay shelters an amazing range of habitats and sea life. The bay is also at the heart of the largest marine sanctuary along the shores of the continental the United States. Travelers can find more information about the aquarium’s exhibits and the local marine environment, plus live web cams, a special events calendar, special discounts, online games and more at www.montereybayaquarium.org.

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For more information please contact:

Timothy Orr
Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
Direct Line: 510-652-1122
MJF Phone: 831-373-3366 X252
timorr@montereyjazzfestival.org
www.montereyjazzfestival.org

Or:

Angela Hains
Associate Manager of Public Relations
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 647-6804
Fax: (831) 644-7560
AHains@mbayaq.org
www.mbayaq.org