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Photo by Stephen Laufer

The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra is a long-running crowd favorite at the Monterey Jazz Festival and year 54′s edition didn’t disappoint. Joshua Redman, Benny Green and Donny McCaslin (Benny and Donny both went through the program in their high school days) joined the Orchestra for a Jimmy Lyons (Arena) Stage set and in KUSP’s Sturgeon for an interview about the music and the program — which aims to provide jazz education to high school students in order to help develop top-notch talent.

Brett Taylor speaks with Director Paul Cantos, Anthony Fung (drummer), Chase Morrin (piano), Donny McCasslin and Benny Green.