Jazz at The Cherry Presents: Monterey Jazz - A Visual Legacy

The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts is proud to announce “Jazz at the Cherry Presents: Monterey Jazz – A Visual Legacy,” a vibrant photographic exhibition honoring the rich and enduring heritage of jazz in the Monterey Bay Area.

A reception will be held in the Carl Cherry Center’s garden on Sunday, September 21 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. featuring live jazz, refreshments, and artist talks – a chance to meet the photographers and hear the stories behind the images. Special guest Tim Jackson, recently retired Monterey Jazz Festival Artistic Director and Kuumbwa Jazz Founder, will also be on hand sharing his perspective on the world of Monterey Bay jazz. The event is free and open to the public.

On view from September 5 through October 4, 2025, the exhibition features a curated collection of iconic and rarely seen images by Monterey Jazz Festival photographers Craig Lovell, Patrick Tregenza and others. Also showcased are works by Ron Jones, longtime official photographer for the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. Together, these artists capture the intimacy, energy and artistry of some of the world’s most legendary jazz performers – as well as the unmistakable spirit of Monterey’s storied jazz scene.

The Cherry Center is proud to host this exhibition as part of its ongoing Jazz at the Cherry initiative – a celebration of jazz through visual and performing arts in Monterey County.

Pictured: Dizzy Gillespie by Craig Lovell