Monterey Jazz Festival 56

It's never too soon to get stoked for the Monterey Jazz Festival. Today the festival released this year's poster and some of the headliners: Diana Krall, Wayne Shorter, Bobby McFerrin, Bob James/David Sanborn, George Benson, Buena Vista Social Club. And we know that Joe Lovano is the artist-in-residence. Those are more reasons than anyone needs to block off Sept. 20-22 on your calendar, and maybe a few days on either side to enjoy Monterey and nearby Carmel, Santa Cruz, the Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur, and the sleepy little town of Pacific Grove.

The poster is by Barcelona artist Maria Corte. We love that the horn player is a woman. We really love the little crab. And the iconic bentwood chair. And the fact that it's all curves, no angles.