CELEBRATING 50

Fifty years old and still kicking butt, the Monterey Jazz Festival is everything a music festival should be and too often isn’t. There’s nothing like experiencing the laid-back vibe of visiting the festival’s multiple performance locations on its annual third weekend in September. But until then, there’s this touring collection of all-stars -- Terence Blanchard, James Moody, Nnenna Freelon (pictured), Benny Green, etc. -- eager to celebrate the famed jazz festival’s golden anniversary. 8 p.m. today, Irvine Barclay Theatre. $38-$45. (848) 854-4646. Also 8 p.m. Fri., Royce Hall, UCLA. $38-$65. (310) 825-2101