The Monterey Jazz Festival launches its second half-century as the West Coast's premier live jazz event September 19-21, 2008, on the familiar oak-studded and beautiful grounds of the Monterey Fairgrounds, the location of the Festival since its inception in 1958.

The Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage will feature a stellar array of award-winning artists, including vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Jamie Cullum, Ledisi, Kurt Elling, and Nancy Wilson; saxophonists Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, and Maceo Parker; the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian McBride's new Quintet; Cuban flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle; guitarist Derek Trucks; and 12-time Grammy-winning pianist Herbie Hancock.

This year's festival Artist-In-Residence, bassist Christian McBride, will be performing through out the weekend with his new acoustic Quintet, an electrified Quartet, and MJF's Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. The MJF/51 Showcase Artist, drummer Matt Wilson, will be at large on the grounds, performing with his own Arts and Crafts, the collective improvisation group, Trio M, and in a duo setting with guitarist-extraordinaire Bill Frisell. This year's commissioned artist, Maria Schneider, will unveil her large-scale orchestra piece (her second commissioned work for the Festival since 1995).

Two special tributes will be featured during the weekend, on the Arena Stage and around the fairgrounds. On Saturday night, "A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley" will feature a modern take on the music of the influential and celebrated saxophonist with renowned vocalist Nancy Wilson, trumpeter Terence Blanchard (2007 MJF Artist-In-Residence and Grammy Winner) and legendary saxophonist Tom Scott. Sunday will spotlight John Coltrane's beloved collaborations with vocalist Johnny Hartman in Kurt Elling's "Dedicated to You," featuring Ernie Watts and the Ethel String Quartet, backed by the Laurence Hobgood Trio.

Here's a quick overview of headliners on the Main Stage at this year's Monterey Jazz fest:

Friday, 9/19: Cassandra Wilson, Joshua Redman Trio, Maraca's "Cuban Lullabies"

Saturday, 9/20: The Derek Trucks Band, Maceo Parker with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, Ledisi, Nancy Wilson's "Tribute to Cannonball Adderley" with special guests Terence Blanchard & Tom Scott; Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra debuts MJF/51 Commission; Christian McBride's new Quintet.

Sunday, 9/21: Jamie Cullum, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with Christian McBride, the Winning High School Big Band from the Next Generation Festival, Herbie Hancock, the Wayne Shorter Quartet, and "Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman" featuring Ernie Watts, Ethel String Quartet & the Laurence Hobgood Trio.

Around the festival fairgrounds (in Dizzy's Den, the Night Club, the Coffee House, Lyons Lounge, and out on the Garden Stage), look for:

Friday, 9/19: Joshua Redman Trio, the Christian McBride Band, Rudder, Quantic, 4onefunk, Matt Wilson Arts & Crafts, Spencer Day, Anat Cohen, Yaron Herman Trio, George Young Quartet, and the Berklee Latin Jazz All-Stars.

Saturday, 9/20: Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Tom Scott's "Celebrating Cannonball Adderley," Maraca's "Cuban Lullabies," Maceo Parker, Matt Wilson & Bill Frisell, Ledisi, Ryan Shaw, Tuck & Patti, Quantic, 4onefunk, Marc Cary Trio, La Tuque Bleue, Junko Moriya, Sadza, Antonio Sanchez & Migration, and Rebeca Mauleón & Afro Kuban Fusion.

Sunday, 9/20: "Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman" featuring Ernie Watts, Ethel String Quartet and the Laurence Hobgood Trio; Christian McBride's new Quintet; Hammond B3 Blowout with Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express and the Barbara Dennerlein Trio; Kyle Eastwood; Trio M with Myra Melford, Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson; Jamie Davis, the Brian Blade Fellowship, Quantic, 4onefunk, La Tuque Bleue, Brass Menažeri,, the country's best high school and college ensembles, DownBeat Blindfold Test, and more!

Tickets are now on sale on the Monterey Jazz Festival website or by phone at 925.275.9255.