Nonprofit launches into its 3rd decade
The Healdsburg Jazz Festival is ready to start its third decade and has announced its main talent lineup for the 21st annual festival from May 31 through June 9 in Healdsburg. Tickets will go on sale online April 1 and earlier on March 15 for Healdsburg Jazz members. Headliners for the 2019 festival include Joey DeFrancesco Trio with drummer Billy Hart, Regina Carter Quinntet, Dhafer Youssef Quartet and the ECM Record Company 50th anniversary celebration featuring Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane, Matt Garrison, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Andy Sheppard, Ethan Iverson and Mark Turner.
Other lead acts will include Ralph Towner with Paul McCandless and the Harold Lopez-Nussa Quartet, featuring Mayquel Gonzalez, with more acts to be announced later.
The 10-day festival will spread across several indoor and outdoor venues in and around Healdsburg, culminating with a finale weekend at the Sonoma Country Day School’s Jackson Theatre in north Santa Rosa. Concert prices range from free to $75, including a free concert in the Healdsburg Plaza on Tuesday, June 4 (talent to be announced). Opening night with Ralph Towner will be at the Wilson Artisan Winery’s Soda Rock Winery in Alexander Valley and several concerts will be staged at The Raven Theatre in downtown Healdsburg.
Following last year’s debut, the Healdsburg Jazz Village will be expanded this year, featuring live entertainment, artists’ visits, educational seminars and other attractions.
Healdsburg Jazz is a nonprofit founded in 1999 by Jessica Felix, who remains the festival’s artistic director. The all-volunteer board is led by Paul Mahder, owner of the Paul Mahder Gallery. Healdsburg Jazz offers paid memberships to individuals which grants members early ticket offers, member communications, an annual members’ party and other benefits. Healdsburg Jazz also supports year-round musical education programs in local schools including an annual high school jazz combo competition, an all-comers Healdsburg Freedom Jazz Choir, Black History Month classroom visits by musician Marcus Shelby and Operation Jazz Band.
Healdsburg Jazz is also sponsoring its annual Jazz on the Menu on Feb. 20, featuring special dinner and music combinations at nine local restaurants. For more information, visit healdsburgjazzfestival.org.
