Stanley Clarke and Stewart Copeland reunite for the 'serendipitous' Santa Monica Jazz Festival

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Jazz giant and celebrated bassist Stanley Clarke says launching and curating the new Santa Monica International Jazz Festival was serendipitous.Held in conjunction with the BroadStage, the city of Santa Monica and SM Festivals across various locations in Santa Monica, the festival, which started May 1 and runs through Saturday, includes a John Coltrane centennial tribute featuring Lekecia Benjamin and Isaiah Collier on Friday.

The festival’s debut comes at a time when jazz is enjoying a massive uptick in popularity and exposure in Los Angeles.As Clarke explained during a recent joint interview with him and legendary drummer, composer and longtime friend Stewart Copeland — who will join Clarke on stage to perform at Tongva Park on Saturday — he has been building toward the 2026 debut since 2023.

As an artist in residence at BroadStage, he recognized Santa Monica as an ideal locale for a jazz festival.So much so that he made expanding the in-house festival into a much bigger citywide program a condition for doing the artist in residency and teaching.

When it was time to book the fest, Clarke said Copeland was his first call.Listening to the two friends banter back and forth like the “Odd Couple” of jazz, it is very clear why.

If they jam together like they banter, this is going to be one joyous and memorable closing set.What prompted this festival in Santa Monica now? Stanley Clarke: I was in L.A.for the last couple of years.

I still spend most of my time there.I spend some time down here in Florida.

But when I’m there, I was teaching a big band/jazz class at Santa Monica College.I had a three-year residency there.

I said, “Yeah, I’ll do this three-year residency because I really like teaching music.” But they had this little festival that they had in-house that they wanted me to curate.It’s a really tiny festival with just kids and some things.

So, ...