A variety of other jazz and blues greats, totaling 500, will perform on eight stages, during three days at the Monterey, California, Fairgrounds. Among these are James Farm, featuring Joshua Redman, the John Pizzarelli Quartet, An Afternoon in Treme with Dumpstaphunk and the Hiromi Trio Project.

As well, the Miles Davis/Gil Evans: Still Ahead Orchestra, directed by Vince Mendoza, featuring Blanchard, Peter Erskine and Miles Evans, will celebrate music from Miles Ahead, Porgy & Bess and Sketches of Spain.

Other highlights: Performing throughout the Weekend will be 2011 MJF Artist-In-Residence, Redman, 2011 MJF Showcase Artist Robert Glasper and festival commission artist Geri Allen & Timeline, premiering her composition, "The Dazzler, "Saturday night.

Saturday afternoon, as always, will be dedicated to the blues with the raucous return of New Orleans to Monterey with An Afternoon in Treme, bringing in an all-star bill with Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk and the Soul Rebels Brass Band. In addition, the 1960s soul music of Memphis' Stax Records will be highlighted by Huey Lewis & The News

Sunday afternoon will be dedicated to the best in high school and college jazz, displaying the festival all-star student band, the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, featuring appearances by alumni Redman, Benny Green and Donny McCaslin. Also on tap will the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Orchestra.

Tickets are on sale now at (925) 275-9255 and on the website, montereyjazzfestival.org