Tucked into the vineyards and rolling hills of Sonoma County, the 9th Annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival offers an all-star lineup over ten days, and features some of the biggest names in modern jazz. Since its inception under the direction of Jessica Felix, the Healdsburg festival has become one of the jazz nation’s best kept secrets, a mecca for talent unrivaled by the big name festivals yet sequestered in a laid-back, easy-going setting for those seeking refuge from urban chaos. Just two hours north of San Francisco but eons from city congestion, Healdsburg is home to artists, wineries and gourmet dining, as well as to a series of jazz education programs throughout the year, culminating in the June festival. Headliners this year include Patricia Barber (June 2), Delfeayo Marsalis’ New Orleans Quintet (June 3), the Jim Hall/Dave Holland Duo (June 9), the George Cables Project (June 10), and Roy Hargrove with Roberta Gambarini (June 10).
Events, some ticketed and some free, are held throughout Healdsburg and surrounding Sonoma wine country:
June 1, Stephanie Ozer Quintet with Special Guest Leny Andrade (Barndiva, 231 Center St., Healdsburg; 7 and 9 pm; $26 includes one glass of wine or soda; sponsored by Geyser Peak Winery). In her first northern California appearance in over a decade, legendary Brazilian vocalist Leny Andrade appears with recent collaborator, Sonoma County pianist Stephanie Ozer. Together they released Começo: New Beginnings in Brazilian Jazz in 2004.
June 2, Patricia Barber Quartet (Barndiva, 231 Center St., Healdsburg; 7 and 9 pm; $35 includes a Roth Premium Vodka cocktail, a glass of Geyser Peak wine, or soda; sponsor Roth Vodka). Patricia Barber’s Blue Note debut, Live: A Fortnight in France, marked a breakthrough for this remarkable vocalist and composer; her Guggenheim-funded Ovid project culminated in the follow-up release, Metamorphoses, proving that a jazz artist could make haunting music of classical myth. But Barber is not only an inventive vocalist, she is a masterful pianist as well, and with her long-standing quartet, this evening will be a showcase of the many talents of all four musicians.
June 3, “Renewing the Spirit of New Orleans” with the ReBirth Brass Band, Delfeayo Marsalis' New Orleans Quintet, Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic, and the Russian River Ramblers (Healdsburg Recreation Park, corner of University & Piper Streets, Healdsburg;
12:00 Noon to 6:00 pm; $45; sponsored by North Coast Brewing Company, River Rock Casino, Francis Ford Coppola Presents Rosso & Bianco & Roshambo Winery). It’s a carnival in celebration of New Orleans! Formed in 1983, the ReBirth Brass Band has long since graduated from the streets of New Orleans to international venues, upholding the tradition of the brass bands that became the original jazz bands over 100 years ago. Third brother of the first family of jazz, trombonist/bandleader Delfeayo Marsalis brings his New Orleans Quintet to the party, featuring pianist Victor Atkins, saxman Clarence Johnson, bassist Edward Livingston,and younger brother, drummer Jason Marsalis. Also performing this afternoon are Bay Area favorites Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic for authentic Louisiana dance music in the tradition of Clifton Chenier with the Dixieland sounds of the Russian River Ramblers opening the show. Bring your blanket and grab some Cajun delights!
June 4, Terry Henry Trio, Jazz and Wine Dinner (Dry Creek Kitchen, 317 Center Street, Healdsburg; 7-10 pm; reservations recommended. Sponsored by Hotel Healdsburg). Bassist Bill Fouty and drummer Bill Moody back pianist Terry Henry. Enjoy Charlie Palmer’s fresh noveau cuisine in Healdsburg’s original Michelin-rated restaurant, Dry Creek Kitchen. The straight-ahead jazz of the Terry Henry Trio spice up the dinner hour.
June 5, Rhiannon with Otmaro Ruiz, Abraham Laboriel, and Alex Acuña (Healdsburg Town Plaza, 6-8 pm, free). Concert, dance and CD release party! Enchanting vocalist Rhiannon's potent blend of world music, jazz, improvisation and storytelling reflects a long association with Bobby McFerrin. Previously she led the first all-women jazz group, Alive! in the mid-1970s and worked with two a capella ensembles. Her international trio includes Venezuelan pianist Ottmaro Ruiz (whose credits include Steve Winwood and John McLaughlin), Peruvian percussionist Alex Acuna (an alum of Weather Report) and Mexican native bassist Abraham Loboriel (who has worked with Henry Mancini and Quincy Jones). For extra fun, come early at 5:30 for Tacuma King and the Children's Percussion Workshop.
June 6, Chris Amberger Quartet (Palette Art Café, 235 Healdsburg Av, 8 pm-Midnight; free). Half a block off the town plaza, this little venue brings hot jazz to the midweek festival. Bassist Amberger is well known in the North Bay but also boasts a resumé including tours with Art Blakely, George Shearing, Red Garland and Rosemary Clooney. His compatriots include drummer Rufus Haereiti, a first-call musician in Nevada who has worked with Joe Lovano and Terence Blanchard among others; saxophonist Darius Babazadeh, who toured with Paul Anka for 18 years; and pianist Aaron Garner, a sophisticated stylist.
June 7, Glen Pearson Quartet and Artists Reception (Palette Art Café, 235 Healdsburg Av, reception 6-8 pm; music 8 pm- Midnight; free). Bay Area pianist Glen Pearson keeps busy gigging with Diane Reeves, Regina Belle, Bobby Hutcherson, and James Moody. Head of music studies at the College of Alameda, Pearson is a regular part of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival education programs in area schools. Rounding out his quartet are saxophonist Robert Stewart, bassist Ron Belcher and drummer Deszon Claiborne.
June 8, Trevor Kinsel and Gerry Grosz (Palette Art Café, 235 Healdsburg Av; 5 -7:30 pm; free). Kickoff the second weekend with a bass/vibes duet. Bassist Kinsel teaches at the Waldorf School in Sonoma; Grosz also works in the Bay Area when not appearing with Maria Muldaur.
June 8, The Cookers featuring Eddie Henderson, Billy Harper, Craig Handy, David Weiss, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart (Raven Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg; 8 pm; $25/$35). It would not be the Healdsburg Jazz Festival without drummer-in-residence Billy Hart, but this year he’s part of a steaming sextet with some of the most innovative voices in jazz today. Trumpeter Eddie Henderson is a veteran of the great bands of Art Blakey, Joe Henderson and John Handy; tenor saxman Billy Harper, a Coltrane disciple, also played with Blakey as well as Thad Jones and Max Roach; alto saxophonist for the Mingus Dynasty Big Band, Craig Handy as been associated with Wynton Marsalis, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones and Betty Carter; new talent on trumpet, David Weiss leads the New Composers Octet. The hornmen will be supported by great postbop bassist Cecil McBee, a veteran of Dinah Washington, Charles Lloyd and Chico Freeman, and of course festival favorite Billy Hart, an early associate of Shirley Horn and Buck Hill who went on to star with the likes of Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Charles Lloyd and Joe Lovano, as well as Cooker partner Billy Harper.A guest pianist will round out the ensemble, which plays in the intimate small theater just off the main plaza in downtown Healdsburg.
June 8-9, John Heard Trio with Danny Grissett and Lorca Hart (Hotel Healdsburg lobby, 25 Matheson Street, 9 pm – Midnight; free; sponsored by La Crema Winery). A perennial highlight of the festival is the “after hours” sessions in the hotel lobby, featuring bassist John Heard and his young cohorts. A veteran of Ahmad Jamal and Oscar Peterson, Heard is also an acclaimed painter. Pianist Danny Grissett is making waves in the company of such talents as Nicholas Payton while Lorca Hart—son of Billy—is a first call drummer in Los Angeles.
June 9, Christian Foley Beining and Gary Johnson Duo (La Crema Winery Tasting Room, 235 Healdsburg Ave, 4- 6 pm; free). Music, wine and appetizers with the guitar/sax duo of area musicians Beining and Johnson.
Julian Lage © Andrea CanterJune 9, Jim Hall & Dave Holland; Taylor Eigsti & Julian Lage (Raven Theater, 115 North Street, Healdsburg; 7:30 pm; $35/$50). Two generations of incendiary pairings. Since he first hit the jazz world in the 60s, guitarist and NEA Jazz Master Jim Hall has built a legendary resume as performer and recording artist. His duo performances are legendary as well—from Bill Evans, Ron Carter and Pat Metheny to more recent collaborations with Geoffrey Keezer and Enrico Pieranunzi. And now Hall pairs with another jazzman of mythic reputation, the great bassist Dave Holland. Hitting the American scene with Miles Davis, Britain native Holland covered bop with Getz and Monk, free jazz with Anthony Braxton, and modern post bop with Joe Lovano and Wayne Shorter, but is now best known as the leader of the award-winning Dave Holland Quintet and Big Band. Warming up the stage will be young legends-in-the-making, pianist Taylor Eigsti and guitarist (and perennial festival crowd pleaser) Julian Lage. Eigsti already has several acclaimed releases as leader, 2 Grammy nominations (2007), and has played with Dave Brubeck, James Moody, and Ernestine Anderson. Bay area native Julian Lage has been wowing the festival crowds here for the past five years, appearing with the Billy Hart Quartet and in various small ensembles. He’s performed with performed with Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Bobby Hutcherson, Charles Lloyd, and Joe Lovano and has been touring with Gary Burton’s Generations Band since he was 16… which was only a few years ago!
June 10, The George Cables Project with Gary Bartz, Eric Revis, and Jeff "Tain" Watts / Roy Hargrove with Roberta Gambarini (Rodney Strong Vineyards, 11455 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg; 3 pm, $45). The annual outdoor, double-header afternoon at the Rodney Strong Vineyards brings two sensational bands. First up, the George Cables Project led by the veteran virtuoso pianist. A past performer here in a supporting role (with Billy Hart), Cables is known as much for his compositions as for his own dexterity, and his works have been played by such titans as Woody Herman, Woody Shaw, Art Blakely, Art Pepper, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon and Roy Haynes. Recently he’s appeared on a series of live recordings with alto sax king Frank Morgan. A graduate of the Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop in the 60s, altoist Gary Bartz went on to play with Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach and Miles Davis. Keeping the pulse will be half of the Branford Marsalis Quartet and stars in their own rights, bassists Eric Revis and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts.
The closing set will be a barnburner (or a winery wower?), with former young lion trumpeter Roy Hargrove (and he still roars in his late 30s). His recent working bands split between post bop magic and funk ‘groove fun. Today it’s modern mainstream at its best, with Jackie McLean-influenced Justin Robinson on alto sax and a driving rhythm section. Add a special appearance by one of the hottest vocalists of the decade, Italian Roberta Gambarini and you have all the ingredients for a blistering afternoon of jazz… and of course some great wines from Rodney Strong. Come early to grab some shade!
Major sponsors for the 2007 Healdsburg Jazz Festival include Comcast and Savor Wine Country Magazine. Jessica Felix, festival founder, continues as Artistic Director. For more information and tickets, visit
www.healdsburgjazzfestival.com
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