MONTEREY, Calif. — When Tim Jackson took over the programming of the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1992, he assured its somewhat conservative patrons that he would introduce artistic changes gradually at the parklike Monterey Fairgrounds.

Jackson has kept his word, but the festival’s 57th edition this past weekend felt like a watershed. Saturday night’s arena headliner was a jazz-influenced hip-hop act, The Roots, which topped a thematic through-line of contemporary African-American music that placed the festival firmly in the present. It was a meaty, satisfying lineup.

Trumpet player Noah Halpern, who graduated from Seattle’s Roosevelt High School in June, has been selected to play in the 2014 edition of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. Halpern is one of the 21 musicians from six states to make the cut. As part of the band, Halpern will make a two-week tour of…

The Monterey Jazz Festival got off to a sizzling start Friday at the outdoor main arena, the Jimmy Lyons Stage, with an upbeat show that included the dulcet baritone of new jazz singing star Gregory Porter and — surprisingly, after all these years — the Buena Vista Social Club, the great Cuban touring group. Porter, dressed…

The Monterey Jazz Festival starts Friday and I’ll be there, posting at least once before filing a full-weekend review Monday for SoundPosts. As always, there’s a great lineup, including the fabulous new vocalist Gregory Porter (see album review here), the Buena Vista Social Club, Joe Lovano with Dave Douglas, George Benson, Dave Holland, Bobby…