Local Talent Makes Jazz Festival's Opening Night a Winner

This year’s seems more star-crossed than its previous 12 years. First was the August 2010 “coup” that saw founder and artistic director get dumped; then the “revolt of the masses” as hundreds of fans and musicians rose up in protest; finally the “revolution” as the old Board was forced to hire back Felix, then resign en masse – leaving her with a $30,000 debt.

In the meantime, Felix and a cadre of loyalists (of which I confess to being one, as HJF webmaster and e-marketing writer) persisted in creating a successful fund-raising drive, held severalboth here and in San Francisco, and “called in all the markers” (in Felix’ own words) to convince many international jazz notables to play this year’s festival – for free, offering their talents to raise money for the Festival’s continuing health in years to come.

Then there’s been the past month, when more than one scheduled performer has backed out, either for health or other reasons. Finally the rainy weather of the past week put the squeeze on audience and performers, forcing the relocation of both weekend concerts scheduled for Rec Park to the nearby Jackson Theater, near the Airport (4400 Day School Ln, Santa Rosa).

Despite all that, the Festival is here, and Healdsburg is undoubtedly fortunate to have such a line-up of jazz notables in our town for the next 10 days. That is the key point, really – and the opening concert at the on Friday is a good way to show our appreciation.

Fred Hersch is an appropriate headliner for opening night. It will mark the third time he's played for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, his earlier appearances coming in 2000 and 2004. In 2006 he became the first pianist to play a solo engagement at the prestigious Village Vanguard. He is a three-time Grammy nominee, including for this year's Best Jazz Pianist. (Another nominee, Geri Allen, plays at the Festival on Thursday night, June 11.)

But he’s also a pioneer in jazz, having come out as gay in the 1980s – making him one of less than a handful of openly gay artists in this traditional music. He’s performed many times in AIDS-related concerts, and is himself HIV-positive.

In 2007 his health took a decided turn for the worse, and a nearly terminal coma took him out of the studio, and off the stage, for nearly three years. When he returned to the Village Vanguard in Dec. 2010, the New York Times praised him as “singular among the trailblazers of their art, a largely unsung innovator of this borderless, individualistic jazz – a jazz for the 21st century.” The recording of his final set there is Hersch's newest album, "Alone at the Vanguard" (March 2011).

As a composer, he is no less highly regarded than as a performer. Notably, Hersch recently premiered a multimedia stage presentation in based on eight dreams and nightmares from his recent illness. "My Coma Dreams," is staged with 11 instruments, singers, actors, and animation. It played to strongly favorable reviews just a month ago at its opening; and it is scheduled to come to the San Francisco’s Herbst Theater in October.

Hersch’s star may be brighter on the national scene, but “local boy made good” Julian Lage is likely to draw at least as many to the show. The famously precocious guitarist from Windsor has been playing on stage since he was 6, had a YouTube hit video at 9, made his first Festival appearance at 13, and was tapped by Gary Burton to play with his New Generation Band on national tour before he was 20.

But his precocity is fulfilled: His 2009 debut album “Sounding Point” was nominated for a Grammy, and his new more experimental "Gladwell" is drawing notice as well, not just for his playing but for his compositions and orchestration in this multi-faceted tale of  a fictional city.

Over the years this versatile young guitarist has performed with many jazz greats as well as diverse talents such as Mark O’Connor, David Grisman, Taylor Eigsti and his own quintet, exploring styles from fluid Fred Hall melodies to Django gypsy jazz to Charlie Christian swing. For a while there, during his Healdsburg Jazz Festival appearances over the past decade, he seemed to be getting better every time he took the stage. One can only speculate where his performance with Fred Hersch can lead the audience Friday night.

Although these two are the headliners, I probably won’t be the only one who makes sure he’s in his seat for the opening act. Noam Lemish is a remarkably talented pianist and composer with classical training and global interests – though born in the US, he lived much of his early life in Israel, where his mother is from.

He came back to this country in 2002 and soon enrolled in the Jazz Music Program at Sonoma State University, where he studied and played classical music as well as jazz for several years. He was one of the “rising stars” featured in the 2009 Healdsburg Jazz Festival, and I for one found his performance there eye-opening.

In 2009, he won a year-long teaching fellowship to the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. The experience included a private performance before the king, among other cross-cultural encounters he shared with friends and fans on his blog.   

The show is scheduled to start at 8pm, but it very likely will be a crowded opening night at the Raven even if tickets are still available at the door. It should be a fun evening, and it’s sure to be a compelling introduction to this year’s Healdsburg Jazz Festival. For tickets further information, visit their website at healdsburgjazzfestival.org.