
Monterey Bay "Future Is Now" Jazz Festival
Summer 2025 / Monterey * Marina * Seaside * Carmel





AYO BRAME

MALACHI WHITSON
SHELDON ALEXANDER
ISAIAS MEDELLIN
JULIAN LOPEZ
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ALAN JONES
SHELDON ALEXANDER



SYDNEY DEFRANCO
CHRIS POWE

ARMAN SANGALANG
TATIANA TATE
TE'A LUCASAN

ERIKA OBA

VERITUS MILLER (TBD)



HEART MATTER (TBD)
RONNIE HEARD (TBD)
NAOMI RENAE(TBD)

WELDON SCOTT (TBD)
Monterey has long been known for great music festivals. But the reality is, there are only two major festivals; the Monterey Jazz Festival in late September, and Cali Roots & Reggae Festival on Memorial Day Weekend. All of that is about to change!
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The non-profit, 501c3 Just Jazz Foundation is creating and producing the Monterey Bay "Future Is Now" Jazz Festival, Summer 2025. All group leaders will be 40 years of age or younger, with several as young as 17. Not only is jazz not dead, but it is alive and thriving, thanks to a never ending, extremely talented and educated group of young artists and musicians. The festival will also host a legends stage, showcasing and honoring some of the biggest names in jazz, as we honor the past, present and future of the music.
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The Monterey Bay "Future Is Now" Jazz Festival will feature 4-5 intimate, indoor and outdoor venues spread across Monterey Bay from Carmel, Seaside, Marina and Monterey, showcasing the beauty of the bay, the talent and cultural diversity of our communities, and the future of jazz music. Donors, partners and sponsors have the opportunity to become founding members of the festival, and help support individual musicians, students, bands, stages, venues, a livestream on the Just Jazz Television Network, available globally online and on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, and mentions on the Just Jazz Radio Show, which airs weekly in Los Angeles, Carmel and Monterey. Additionally, the Just Jazz Foundation will create a mentorship program and scholarship fund for deserving, local high school music programs and students. We expect this annual summer and companion winter jazz festival to be a huge hit and economic boon to the Monterey Bay and Central Coast with the help from our friends at Uncle Nearest, KRML, See Monterey, Wave Street Studios, Wendi Kirby Music, Carmel Mission Inn, Shearwater Tavern, Monterey Marriott, The Brass Tap Marina, Monterey County Public Library (Marina), with support from the cities of Seaside, Marina, Carmel and Monterey.
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Since 2018, Frederick Smith Jr, LeRoy Downs and the Just Jazz Foundation have been producing great jazz concerts, events and related programming in Los Angeles, Southern and Central Coast California. In fact, we produce and co-produce about 50 - 75 concerts and events yearly, including our iconic Just Jazz Concert Series in Los Angeles and Monterey, our annual Just Jazz Grammy Party, Just Jazz Student Jam, Just Jazz Sunday Brunch, and much more! And what better place to do so than on beautiful Monterey Bay! Come for the food, the wine, the golf, the beach and the music!
Feel free to reach out to Frederick Smith Jr. via email @ justjazzfoundation@gmail.com or call (310) 365-1865 for more information, to make a tax-deductible donation, or learn how you can get involved. To donate to the Monterey Bay "Future Is Now" Jazz Festival, click the link and choose your donation level --> https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YXZN6HABBLB4S
"Just Jazz Foundation is a Non Profit 501c3, EIN #84-4817227. Your support helps us present live jazz music and create performance opportunities for both veteran and aspiring young jazz artists and musicians."​ Tale a peek at Just Jazz TV by watching the
Just Jazz Television Network, streaming live, 24/7/365 by clicking here --> https://www.justjazz.tv/live-stream​​
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WHY SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL?
By supporting the inaugural Monterey Bay "Future Is Now"Jazz Festival, you’re investing in a cultural event that will draw visitors, promote local businesses, and enhance the artistic fabric of our community by showcasing new and upcoming, young jazz artists and musicians. Whether you're a local business, a corporate partner, or a passionate individual, your contribution will ensure the festival's success and help it grow year after year.
WHY SPONSOR THE FESTIVAL?
As a sponsor, you’ll receive high-level visibility in front of an engaged audience, with opportunities for brand exposure through promotional materials, on-site recognition, and digital platforms. We offer flexible sponsorship packages to align with your business goals and a direct path to the future of the music.




JUST JAZZ FOUNDATION
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Our mission at the Just Jazz Foundation is to advance the uniquely American musical art-form called jazz through live performance, youth education, community engagement, artist equity and increased television, radio and social media exposure. Each year the non-profit organization presents 100+ live jazz performances through its internationally acclaimed Just Jazz Live Concert Series, Just Jazz Sunday Brunch and Just Jazz Student Jam Sessions at various venues and locations across Los Angeles County and Southern and Central Coast California.
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Just Jazz Foundation takes a multi-pronged approach to its work: presenting live jazz music and always, nurturing budding musicians and creating performance and exposure opportunities for artists and musicians.
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Here at the Just Jazz Foundation, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change in the music, and since our beginnings in 2014, we've been driven by the same ideas: support, empowerment, and progress for the music and the musician.
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Just Jazz Foundation is a Non Profit 501c3, EIN #84-4817227. Your support helps us present live jazz music and create performance opportunities for aspiring young jazz artists and musicians."