Now's the Time: The Monterey Jazz Festival Tour

One of the best performances I've seen at the Gem Theater was a 2007 concert featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater and a band dominated by African musicians.  The versatile vocalist returns to the venue on Saturday, March 23, as part of the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration.  Bridgewater will perform with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, saxophonist Chris Potter, pianist Benny Green, bassist and musical director Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash.  It's hard to imagine a stronger lineup.