California
Monterey Jazz Festival
Program No. 4628RJ
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Monterey Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz Festival
1 of 4
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
5 days
4 nights
What's Included
Included
9 meals (
4B, 2BR, 1L, 2D
)
4 expert-led lectures
5 performances
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Carmel Valley, CA
Monterey Jazz Festival
Sep 23 - Sep 27, 2027
Program Number
4628
Day
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Los Laureles Lodge
Activity Note
Check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag. Walking at the lodge varies depending on room location; distances may be up to 300 yards.
Afternoon:
3:00-5:00 p.m.: Register at the front desk of Los Laureles Lodge to get your room assignments and welcome packet with any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. Please let us know if you will be arriving late. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
5:00 p.m. In the Lodge’s Saloon, we will meet fellow Road Scholars and have cheese and crackers; beverages from the bar available for purchase.
5:00 p.m. In the Lodge’s Saloon, we will meet fellow Road Scholars and have cheese and crackers; beverages from the bar available for purchase.
Dinner:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Evening:
Orientation. In the Terrace Garden Room, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.
Our class instructor and Group Leader, Ali Ryerson — jazz flutist, teacher, international performing artist, and a frequent performing guest at the festival — will provide a brief overview of the festival, the longest running jazz festival in the world, first presented in 1958. We will ride to and from the festival by private motorcoach. All of our meals and classes at the Lodge will take place in the Terrace Garden Room overlooking the pool and scenic gardens.
Our tickets are for the same reserved seats in the Arena for all shows on the Jimmy Lyons Stage over the Festival weekend, and allows access to the other Grounds Stages. The Monterey Jazz Festival also features an international array of food, drink, and festivities. Two dinners have been excluded from the program cost and are on your own to enjoy what you like at the festival.
Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Our class instructor and Group Leader, Ali Ryerson — jazz flutist, teacher, international performing artist, and a frequent performing guest at the festival — will provide a brief overview of the festival, the longest running jazz festival in the world, first presented in 1958. We will ride to and from the festival by private motorcoach. All of our meals and classes at the Lodge will take place in the Terrace Garden Room overlooking the pool and scenic gardens.
Our tickets are for the same reserved seats in the Arena for all shows on the Jimmy Lyons Stage over the Festival weekend, and allows access to the other Grounds Stages. The Monterey Jazz Festival also features an international array of food, drink, and festivities. Two dinners have been excluded from the program cost and are on your own to enjoy what you like at the festival.
Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Jazz History-Repertoire Class, Attend Monterey Jazz Festival
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Los Laureles Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles over mostly flat terrain, walking a minimum of 200 yards from entrance gates to Main Arena reserved backed seats. Sitting up to 5 hours. Additional walking, standing, and sitting according to personal preference. Listening devices are available at no charge at Patron Services inside the festival. Deposit of a valid driver's license and current credit card is required.
Breakfast:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Morning:
We’ll attend a Jazz History-Repertoire class led by our jazz teacher/performer who will discuss the festival performers and their repertoire. The first Monterey Jazz Festival in September 1958 featured jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, John Lewis, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Ernestine Anderson, Harry James, Max Roach, and Billie Holiday.
Lunch:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Afternoon:
In our next Jazz History-Repertoire class, we’ll learn more about the festival performers and their repertoire. Each year the Monterey Jazz Festival brings together hundreds of performing artists from all over the world. The Festival weekend features many performances across multiple stages. These artists cover a diverse and vibrant range of musical styles and influences, making the Monterey Jazz Festival a role model in the performing arts, reaching heights that founder Jimmy Lyons imagined it could ever be.
Dinner:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Evening:
We will travel by motorcoach to the Monterey County Fairgrounds and attend the 70th Monterey Jazz Festival. Motorcoach drop-off will be on Garden Road by the Gate 3 ticket entrance. Our tickets permit us to explore the entire festival and attend the performances we choose in the Arena and other stages spread across 20 acres of oak-studded grounds. The Arena has backed reserved seats to relax and enjoy the performances.
Every person and all belongings are subject to a security search. Security reserves the right to refuse entry. A Clear Bag Policy will be in effect. One sealed bottle of water or an empty stainless steel or other non-breakable individual use water container are allowed. Please review all festival policies at https://montereyjazz.org/festival/faqs/
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
The motorcoach will return to the lodge after the last scheduled concert ends. For those who wish to return to the lodge earlier, there will be an early motorcoach each night approximately 1 to 1.5 hours before the last scheduled concert ends.
Every person and all belongings are subject to a security search. Security reserves the right to refuse entry. A Clear Bag Policy will be in effect. One sealed bottle of water or an empty stainless steel or other non-breakable individual use water container are allowed. Please review all festival policies at https://montereyjazz.org/festival/faqs/
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
The motorcoach will return to the lodge after the last scheduled concert ends. For those who wish to return to the lodge earlier, there will be an early motorcoach each night approximately 1 to 1.5 hours before the last scheduled concert ends.
Day
3
Jazz History-Repertoire Class, Attend Monterey Jazz Festival
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,BR
Stay:
Los Laureles Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles over mostly flat terrain, walking a minimum of 200 yards from entrance gates to Main Arena reserved backed seats. Sitting up to 5 hours. Additional walking, standing, and sitting according to personal preference. Listening devices are available at no charge at Patron Services inside the festival. Deposit of a valid driver's license and current credit card is required.
Breakfast:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Morning:
In our next Jazz History-Repertoire class, we’ll learn more about the festival performers and their repertoire. Main Arena performances pay tribute to the rich history of jazz and the festival, while also expanding and challenging the scope and breadth of jazz, blues, and rock, looking towards the future of jazz.
Brunch:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy more of the 70th Monterey Jazz Festival. Saturday afternoon features many outstanding performances across the Jimmy Lyon’s Arena Stage and multiple grounds stages. Your jazz classes will provide background on the performers and their music so you can best select which performances you wish to see.
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The Monterey Jazz Festival hosts a number of diverse food and beverage vendors. MJF is cashless in these areas so please remember to bring your credit card. Additional information is available at https://montereyjazz.org/festival/eat-drink-shop/
Evening:
More of the Jazz Festival.
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
The motorcoach will return to the lodge after the last scheduled concert ends. For those who wish to return to the lodge earlier, there will be an early motorcoach each night approximately 1 to 1.5 hours before the last scheduled concert ends.
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
The motorcoach will return to the lodge after the last scheduled concert ends. For those who wish to return to the lodge earlier, there will be an early motorcoach each night approximately 1 to 1.5 hours before the last scheduled concert ends.
Day
4
Jazz History-Repertoire Class, Attend Monterey Jazz Festival
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,BR
Stay:
Los Laureles Lodge
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles over mostly flat terrain, walking a minimum of 200 yards from entrance gates to Main Arena reserved backed seats. Sitting up to 5 hours. Additional walking, standing, and sitting according to personal preference. Listening devices are available at no charge at Patron Services inside the festival. Deposit of a valid driver's license and current credit card is required.
Breakfast:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Morning:
In our next Jazz History-Repertoire class, we’ll learn more about the festival performers and their repertoire. The not-for-profit Monterey Jazz Festival has been committed to music education since its inception, currently investing more than $600,000 annually in jazz education. The festival runs a number of educational programs including the “Next Generation Jazz Orchestra” that selects top high school musicians from around the county to celebrate the future of jazz in musical tours and a performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Brunch:
In the Terrace Garden Room.
Afternoon:
We’ll attend the Jazz Festival and enjoy more great music.
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
Enjoy the final performances at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
The motorcoach will return to the lodge after the last scheduled concert ends. For those who wish to return to the lodge earlier, there will be an early motorcoach each night approximately 1 to 1.5 hours before the last scheduled concert ends.
Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Learn more at https://montereyjazz.org/
The motorcoach will return to the lodge after the last scheduled concert ends. For those who wish to return to the lodge earlier, there will be an early motorcoach each night approximately 1 to 1.5 hours before the last scheduled concert ends.
Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
5
Program Concludes
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Lodge check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the Terrace Garden Room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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