Christian Sands, piano and music director
Dee Dee Bridgewater, vocals
Kurt Elling, vocals
Lakecia Benjamin, alto saxophone
Yasushi Nakamura, bass
Clarence Penn, drums

The illustrious Monterey Jazz Festival once again sends a selection of its finest jazz ambassadors to Berkeley as part of its popular touring program. Multiple-Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, among the “best-rounded and unique jazz vocalists singing today” (All About Jazz), and Kurt Elling, “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time” (The New York Times), scat, swoon, and soar as they bring swing standards, moody ballads, bop favorites, and Latin hits to life. The hard-swinging band is led by pianist Christian Sands, with rising-star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys), and the well-oiled rhythm section of bassist Yasushi Nakamura (Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones) and drummer Clarence Penn (Betty Carter, Maria Schneider).

This performance is made possible, in part, by Joe W. Laymon, Kiese Laymon, Jeanne Laymon, and Thomas Laymon.