Keb’ Mo’, Wayne Shorter, Bono and others jam with B.B. King at an Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 26, 2008. Photos courtesy: Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for Thelonious Monk Institute).

This story originally appeared in the Oakland Tribune.

Some of the biggest names in jazz and blues, including pianist Herbie Hancock, guitarists B.B. King and Robert Cray, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and trumpeter Terence Blanchard came together Sunday in Los Angeles for an all-star benefit for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

B.B. King and Bono of U2 perform onstage during the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz honoring B.B. King event held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 26, 2008.

The concert, dubbed “The Blues and Jazz: Two American Classics,” was part showcase of the youth who have benefited from the instruction of the institute, part award ceremony, part history lesson and part merry-go-round of all-star collaborations.

It was the second year the institute has held the event, which included the finals of its 21st annual young artist jazz competition, at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. The show felt too scripted at times — “all of the introductions and song lyrics were teleprompted — but it certainly made up for it in once-in-a-lifetime musical pairings and several great performances.

The evening included a star-studded rotating cast. They included vocalist Cassandra Wilson, guitarists Joe Luis Walker, Keb’ Mo’ and Lee Ritenour; percussionists Poncho Sanchez, Terri Lyne Carrington and Thelonious Monk, Jr., saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist George Duke.

Where else could you see a three-song blues evolution series led off with a Keb’ Mo’ slide-guitar Delta blues solo, followed by a Joe Louis Walker take on “Sweet Home Chicago,” which added electricity and got the crowd stomping its feet in unison, and finally “Bright Lights, Big City,” where Cray joined Keb’ Mo’ and Walker.

B.B. King performs at an Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 26, 2008.

There was also a simply electric “Red House,” where several of the musicians, including bassist John Patitucci, were joined by guitarist Kevin Eubanks, Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” bandleader. Eubanks tore the Kodak apart with his speedy delivery.

“Blues has the greatest influence on jazz,” Hancock said afterward. “It is the emotional and spiritual north star for jazz music.”

Monk’s presence was felt with “Straight, No Chaser,” led from the drum set by the younger Monk. Bridgewater donned a black wig and go-go danced through a rock ‘n’ rollin’ “Sweet Soul Music.”

The guest of honor was 14-time Grammy winner King, who received the jazz institute’s Founder’s Award for making essential contributions to jazz education and tradition.

The highlight of the night, as evidenced by the standing ovation and non-ending cheers, came when King, sitting on a chair, was joined by Hancock, Duke, Shorter, U2’s Bono and the Edge and others for a rollicking version of “When Love Comes to Town,” the bluesy rock tune U2 and King recorded more than two decades ago.

The program concluded with an everyone-on-stage rollicking “Let the Good Times Roll.”

B.B. King accepts a Founder’s Award at an Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 26, 2008.

The gala was held together with the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition finals. The competition focuses on a different instrument each year and is regarded as one of the highest honors for young jazz musicians. The judges included saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter and Jane Ira Bloom.

Three finalists each led a house band through two songs, the second of which was a jazz staple they performed with Bridgewater.

The winner was New York alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon, who performed a sexy version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and “Just Friends, Loveless No More” with Bridgewater. He won cash and a recording contract.

The jazz institute also showcased some of its other young stars in the making.

A seven-member high school band, selected from the jazz institute’s after-school education program, performed a blues-jazz medley that concluded in a sing-along of King’s “Everyday I Got the Blues.” Blanchard joined a college jazz band on “Bourbon Street Parade.”

“The future of the music is in capable hands,” Monk said of the student performers.

Follow editor Roman Gokhman at Twitter.com/RomiTheWriter.