Jazz in the Forest – A Fundraiser for Monterey Jazz Education Programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:  Steve Vagnini – SLV Management  831-601-9609  slvmanagement@yahoo.com

Jazz in the Forest

SLV Management is proud to present another installment of the Music in the Forest Concert Series at the beautiful Forest Theatre in downtown Carmel- by-the-Sea.  On Saturday July 12 SLV Presents in collaboration with Monterey Jazz will present Jazz in the Forest, a fundraiser for Monterey Jazz Education Programs featuring the Monterey Jazz Trading Fours Jazz Ensemble; the Monterey Jazz Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble and Monterey Jazz  Regional All-Star Big Band. The concert begins at 4:00 PM and goes until 7 PM.  Tickets are available at www.pacrep.org and will also be available at the door.  Advance Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for those under 18 (ticket fees not included)

Performing , July 12 2025 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

In their ongoing support of music education in schools, Monterey Jazz is excited to announce the return of the Monterey Jazz Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble and Monterey Jazz  Regional All-Star Big Band.

Students performing in both groups have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. All-Star Band and Vocal Ensemble students who satisfy a set of requirements established by MJF Education Department also receive a Certificate of Excellence in Professional Musicianship.

Each All-Star Ensemble, featuring talented students from across Monterey County, rehearse twice monthly while working on ensemble skills including phrasing, blending, improvisation, and rhythmic feel. The venues that featured our Regional All-Star Ensembles in addition to July’s performance at the Pac Rep Forest Theatre include San Jose Jazz Fest, Jazz on Plazz, and of course, Monterey Jazz Festival!

About Monterey Jazz Education Programs

Founded in 1958 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization, the Monterey Jazz Festival has been committed to nurturing the next generation of jazz since the beginning. MJF’s Education Program components have included bringing professional jazz artists into the schools, summer camps, touring all-star student ensembles, online resources, instrument rentals and repertoire, and more. Our efforts to perpetuate America’s music and instill qualities of leadership, responsibility, teamwork, compassion, and artistic aesthetic in our youth encompass our innovative series of year-round jazz education programs.

Performer List

Each Regional All-Star ensemble features talented students from across Monterey County. Our All-Star ensembles rehearse twice monthly while working on ensemble skills, and in the summer, they get to perform across Monterey County and far beyond, testing their chops on the bandstand while bringing great jazz music to the community. They have performed at prestigious venues and festivals such as the Kennedy Center, San Jose Jazz Fest, Jazz on the Plazz, Forest Theater in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Monterey Jazz Festival.

MJF Regional All-Star Band 2025
Stu Reynolds, Director

Woodwinds

JoAnna Lee, flute
Andrew Murray, 1st alto saxophone
Jacob Custodio, 2nd alto saxophone
Conor O’Brien, 1st tenor saxophone
Trent Gaston, 2nd tenor saxophone
Emiliano Ramirez, baritone saxophone

Trombones
Kai Bishop, 1st trombone
Isaac Lee, 2nd trombone
Mariella Norris, 3rd trombone
Olivia Gott, 4th trombone

Sam Klevan, bass trombone

Trumpets

Andrew Atanous, 1st trumpet
Cliff Bunden, 2nd trumpet
Bryan Kim, 3rd trumpet
Alex Stihler, 4th trumpet
Joshua Lopez, 4th trumpet

Rhythm Section
Kai Kraus, piano
Roman Waters, piano
Daphne DeCarlo, bass
Zoya Bograd, bass
Ayden Kanter, guitar
William Drumright, guitar
Christopher Platt, drums
Isaac Waters, drums

MJF Regional All-Star Vocal Ensemble 2025
Rob Klevan and Janice Perl, Directors

Sopranos:
Sienna Grant
Anna Halim
Siara Meehan
Athena-Janan Ouzineb

Altos:
Jocelyn Crook
Helen Hanalla
Katherine Lavin
Lillian Mendez
Sofia Western

Tenor: 
Adam Angel
Jacob Custodio

Baritone:
Sam Klevan
Charles Lassen
Conor O’Brien
Evan Weideranders – Alternate

Vocal Ensemble Band:
Piano: Kai Kraus
Guitar: Ayden Kanter
Bass: Daphne DeCarlo
Drums: Christopher Platt

2025 Trade Fours Ensemble
Bill Spencer, director

Trading Fours is a fun jazz ensemble class for intermediate to advanced level adult musicians. Led by jazz pianist Bill Spencer, Monterey Jazz’s Trading Fours ensemble meets on selected Wednesdays from April through October. Their final performance will take place in the beautiful auditorium of Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove on November 12.

Drew Linde, piano
Lindsay DPenha, piano
Tim Patchin, guitar
Pat Ryan, guitar
Michael Zupancic, bass
Gregg Kanter, drums
Mario Cole, tenor saxophone
Ellen Berrahmoun, flute
Rick Neely, alto sax

Last year’s Jazz in the Forest video clip: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ze7zl6fdf996yis5bj74u/MJF_Regional-All-Star-Band_Forest-Theater_Carmel_2024_NC-HD-720p.mov?rlkey=tz0a2q973007lgazuw8o4hpwh&st=k4xo2ouz&dl=0