August 26, 2008; Monterey, CA; Family Day sponsored by Macy's, makes its return to the 51st edition of the Monterey Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 21, and includes expanded activities and entertainment for kids of all ages!

Family Day -- welcoming back the popular Percussion Playshop and Jazzy Jumper -- will introduce a multitude of new activities. Yamaha will host an Instrument Petting Zoo, where kids can get hands-on experience playing professional-level equipment. Up on Lyons Lane, the whole family can enjoy the high-tech musical world with Guitar Hero™, Rock Band™, and Wii™ games all weekend long.  And there will be a new Arts and Crafts area for kids to express themselves on paper, drawing to jazz!

Family Day will celebrate the youth of today and the musical artists of tomorrow with the top bands of MJF’s Next Generation Festival in the Night Club, including the Folsom High School Jazz Choir “A” & Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble; the Rio Americano High School and Las Vegas Academy Big Bands, the MJF Monterey County High School All-Star Band, the Acalanes High School Jazz Combo, and the California State University Northridge Jazz “A” Band (performing on the Garden Stage).

In the Coffee House Gallery, the fun for kids continues with Zun Zun, with a dazzling array of instruments, comedy, and music created especially for families, followed by the youthful Jazzschool Advanced High School Jazz Workshop.

Tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Family Day Tickets are priced at $45 for adults and $15 for children under 12.  Daily Grounds Tickets are priced at $35 for Friday and $45 for Saturday or Sunday.  Prices increase by $5.00 on day of show and patrons are advised to purchase tickets now.

Adults can also get in on the musical education with informative and enlightening presentations and panels about jazz artists -- including a sure-to-be packed conversation in Dizzy’s Den with British superstar Jamie Cullum and iconic film legend, Clint Eastwood. Also on the docket is the panel discussion “The Cannonball Legacy Rolls On” presented by the Jazz Journalist Association, with astute commentary from musicians Gregg Field, Roy McCurdy, and Tom Scott; legendary record producer Orrin Keepnews; NEA Jazz Master John Levy; and noted journalists Scott Yanow and Dan Ouellette.

As usual, the grounds will also be filled with the sounds of jazz and beyond, with the lineup of La Tuque Bleue, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, the Kyle Eastwood Band and the Jamie Davis Big Band on the Garden Stage; and the Christian McBride Quintet and Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman featuring Ernie Watts & the Laurence Hobgood Trio in Dizzy’s Den. Also making a groovy return on Sunday is the Hammond B3 Blowoutin the Night Club, with the superlative Barbara Dennerlein Trio and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express topping the night off on a funky note on the Bill Berry Stage.

Those looking for a spontaneous musical adventure can find two sets of exploratory musicianship in the Coffee House with Trio M, featuring Myra Melford, Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson. Adding to the spontaneity, fans looking for an even denser and bass-heavy feel can bounce into Lyons Lounge, the exploratory DJ tent which will feature Turntablists-In-Residence Quantic and 4onefunk, who will alternate hour-long sets each evening throughout the weekend.

The British-born Quantic, described as having a “jazz sensibility with future dance floor orientated grooves, deep funk and tough drums” will alternate sets in the lounge with the San Francisco-based DJ team, 4onefunk, with their bass-heavy turntablism accompanied with live musicians.

Grounds patrons can also catch the Arena shows via simulcast in the Jazz Theater presented by Best Buy (featuring cozy Home Theater settings), in Lyons Lounge (featuring daytime Arena simulcasts in Best Buy Home Theater settings), and in Klub Korbel, the Midway's patio bar hosted by Korbel Champagne.

Family Day simulcasts from the Arena Stage will include the Buchanan High School Jazz Band “A”; Monterey’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with MJF/51 Artist-In-Residence Christian McBride; and Jamie Cullum. The evening’s big-screen fare will include the powerhouse closers of Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman featuring Ernie Watts, ETHEL & the Laurence Hobgood Trio; NEA Jazz Master Wayne Shorter and his Quartet; and NEA Jazz Master Herbie Hancock.

Tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org. Family Day Tickets are priced at $45 for adults and $15 for children under 12.  Daily Grounds Tickets are priced at $35 for Friday and $45 for Saturday or Sunday. A Full Weekend Grounds Package is priced at $110. Prices increase by $5.00 on day of show and patrons are advised to purchase tickets now.