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One of our favorite summer jazz concert series, the Stanford Jazz Festival, kicks off its 2010 season on Friday, June 25 with a stellar line-up of legendary jazz masters and "rising stars" of today's jazz scene.

Known for the intimacy of its venues and welcoming atmosphere, the Festival will feature more than 100 artists with more than 30 performances over a six-week span.

Highlights of the 2010 season include the festival's kick-off concert featuring Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza with guitarist Romero Lubambo; Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio; "Giants of Jazz" featuring Charles McPherson, Junior Mance and Tootie Heath; saxophonist Joshua Redman; the Mose Allison Trio; the George Cables Trio; and pianist Fred Hersch in a program of "Jobim and More."

Also on the bill for this year's festival concert series: vocalist Freddy Cole, Hammond B-3 master Dr. Lonnie Smith, the John Santos Sextet, trumpeter Khalil Shaheed and the Mo'Rockin Project, vocalist Dena DeRose, the Dave Douglas Quintet Plus, the Gerald Clayton Trio, and trumpeter Nicholas Payton with the Taylor Eigsti Trio.

Special programs this year include "The Music of Billy Strayhorn" on Friday, July 2 and featuring Patrick Wolff (saxophone), Erik Jekabson (trumpet), Adam Shulman (piano), Marcus Shelby (bass) and Smith Dobson V (drums); "Ella Fitzgerald, America's First Lady of Song" with jazz vocalists Laila Smith, Holly Smolik, Mary Stallings and Kenny Washington on July 11; "The Music of Dave Brubeck" hosted by violinist Victor Lin on July 22; "100 Years of Django" with guitarist Julian Lage and friends on July 28; "Visions: The Stevie Wonder Songbook" on July 29; and bassist Ruth Davies' annual "Blues Night" on July 25 with special guest Keb' Mo'.

Here's the schedule for this year's Stanford Jazz Festival:

Tickets for the 2010 Stanford Jazz Festival go on sale May 10, 2010. For tickets or more info, please call 650.725.ARTS (2787) or visit the Stanford Jazz Festival website at www.stanfordjazz.org.