Jazz Festival Promises Cool Music on a Hot Weekend

Tonight the Healdsburg Jazz Festival moves into the Raven Theater, currently undergoing some much-needed remodeling and upgrading. New "wings for the Raven" - backstage wings, that is - and improved access backstage for pianos have already been added, with plans for new carpet, new lobby paint job, even a new marquee should elevate our local historic theater into a first-class venue for the kind of performances Healdsburg likes to see, and hear.

Tonight's performance will feature the 17-member Marcus Shelby Orchestra, the 100-voice HJF Freedom Jazz Choir, Adam Ivey’s Joyous Noise Ensemble from Santa Rosa, and the dynamic Ms. Faye Carol – all playing and singing together to present Shelby’s suite, “Soul of the Movement.”

This suite was performed twice last month, both times in Santa Rosa. Finally it's coming to its home base, where many of the volunteer choir come from, and where the Healdsburg Jazz Festival won a grant from the James Irvine  Foundation for the two-year project.

As the weekend approaches, the Healdsburg Jazz Festival events ramp up, with seven events in the next three days. three Festival events on both Friday and Saturday -- concerts at the Raven, late jazz in the Lobby, special events each day, and the "festival finale" on Sunday.

Friday, the Fred Hersch Trio at the Raven marks the return of one of Healdsburg’s favorite performers. The pianist's father and step-mother live in town; with gives the Festival an in when booking this nationally recognized and very busy jazz artist. If past concerts are any indication, this is sure to be a magical and intriguing performance. Starts at 7:30, tickets on the HJF website.

"If you love Charles Lloyd, this is the day to fall in love again," says the HJF e-blast this week.  At 11:00 am on Saturday, they'll present the award-winning documentary “Arrows Into Infinity” about Lloyd’s “lost years” on his spiritual search in Big Sur, following his global success in the 1960-70s.

Then at 7:30 p.m. that night, again at the Raven, the Charles Lloyd – Jason Moran Duo present a very special concert, their only US appearance as a duo this year. At 75, Lloyd has reached a new creative peak, and there’s no question that Jason Moran is a huge part of it. Find out why Saturday night.

Sunday's Festival Finale has never failed to live up to its billing as a celebration and culmination of jazz, the climax of the annual 10-day Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Sweet Honey in the Rock takes the stage on Sunday afternoon at Rodney Strong Vineyards, a vocal quartet (or quintet, possibly a sextet - they had a recent change in their ranks and there's some uncertainty how many will take the stage. But with their soaring blend of gospel and spirituals, jazz and blues, their performance should be an uplifting harmonic convergence.

Opening will be the Azar Lawrence Quartet featuring the saxophonists who was hailed as the heir-apparent to John Coltrane in the early 1970s. Backing him will be drummer Billy Hart, bassist Henry Franklin and pianist Theo Saunders, all jazz musicians who have proven their ability to bring audiences of all sizes into their world of explorative jazz.

Artistic director Jessica Felix wants to make sure people know that the Finale at Rodney Strong will have be food vendors, wine and other beverages available, even “decadent” brownies to help the 15th Healdsburg Jazz Festival reach its climax on Sunday afternoon. Tickets still available at all levels, including a new "shaded section" to help keep the afternoon sun's rays at bay.

More information and ticket links for these and other in-town events for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival are available on its website.

Have you been to any of their events so far -- the Charlie Haden Tribute, Tuesday in the Plaza, or the Spoonbar on Wednesday night? Let us know in the comments how this year's Healdsburg Jazz Festival stacks up!