Ten Reasons to Attend the Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Sure, there are lots of good serious reasons to come to Healdsburg – historic venues and intimate settings, new stars and living legends, cross-cultural interaction and jazz education. But let’s face facts: most of us come here for the food, the wine, the music — the good times in the sun. Which brings us to…
Reason Number 1: Let’s have some fun!
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Saturday, June 5: Wine tasting? With four major appellations within striking distance, you need to pace yourself. Thankfully, there’s no need to stray far from downtown when you can sample the goods at 20 tasting rooms – and, this weekend, hear live jazz at one of them. Murphy-Goode is well known for their Alexander Valley whites, the party-like atmosphere at their tasting room (20 Matheson St), and their enthusiasm for the Festival. This year they host Herb Gibson, vibist and vocalist, from 3-5 pm, while you quaff the good stuff waiting for sundown..
SUNDAY ON THE GREEN
Sunday, June 6: Get the party rolling big time by spending Sunday afternoon 12:30 – 6 pm on the green at Recreation Park, enjoying the syncopated shuffle and sway of Bossa Nova at the Stars of Brazil Concert. It’s one of those shows so packed with talent it’s hard to pick favorites in advance, but between Oscar Castro-Neves and Romero Lubambo you’ll be hearing Brazilian guitar at its best.
There will be food and drinks available; bring a picnic basket if you like, a low-back chair if you wish (please be courteous of those behind you), and go with the groove this afternoonl. Savor this taste of Sunny Rio in Sonoma County!
TUESDAY AT THE PLAZA
Tuesday, June 8: By Tuesday you’re probably up for some good times again, so come back to the Plaza for the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco, a super-charged troupe of teens preserving inspirations from Cuba to the Carnaval.
It’s free, as the city’s Tuesdays in the Plaza always are, and picnic beverages are permitted during the 6 – 8 pm show. Be prepared to dance if the spirit moves you, you won’t be the only one.
DOWNTOWN SATURDAY
Saturday, June 12: Park the car and take a stroll, it’s time to relax around the gazebo on a sunny afternoon – and hang out till midnight. This time not one but two wineries offer Jazz & Wine Pairings: Topel Tasting Room (just around the corner at 125 Matheson) gives us the Gary Johnson Trio at from 3 – 5 pm, and on the other side of the Plaza you can find Eddie and Madeline Duran at Ferrari-Carano’s Seasons of the Vineyard (113 Plaza) from 4 – 6.
But why stop there? After dinner at one of our local restaurants, you’ll be primed for Charlie Haden at the Raven, with Ravi Coltrane and Geri Allen. And, unless we misjudge you, you might drop by the Hotel Healdsburg Lobby for Craig Handy‘s mystery band, 9 – midnight.
SUNDAY FINALE
Sunday, June 13: Saving the best for last is a sure recipe for success, but it’s hard when every day of the Festival brings a new musical pleasure. But we’ll say it anyway: do not miss the Festival Finale at Rodney Strong, our signature event. It’s truly a “festival” atmosphere, with food vendors, wine bars from our host, other beverages on sale — and 3 great young bands to demonstrate that they are indeed the “Keepers of the Flame.”
Show up early (gates open at 2 pm) to catch the inspired energy of the Dafnis Prieto Si o Si Quartet with Peter Apfelbaum, be transported by the Gretchen Parlato Group,, then be amazed by Jason Moran and Bandwagon, with Bill Frisell.
Is that all there is? Not hardly! We’ve listed only 5 events of our 10-day festival, but don’t have time to list twice as many more! See them all at healdsburgjazzfestival.org, and join us at the 12th Annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival.
In case you missed it…
- Esperanza Spalding was interviewed by John Beck in June 4 Press Democrat — read it online now.
- Peter Apfelbaum rated a profile from Jesse Hamlin in June 3 Chronicle — online now at SFGate.
- An extremely rare guitar is up for auction to benefit the Healdsburg Jazz Festival — this one is for serious collectors only! Suss it out at eBay.
NOTE: Thanks for following this series through these frequent emails and on our website. Local writer, photographer and HJF webmaster Christian Kallen wrote and delivered this series, and he hopes his affection for Healdsburg and jazz has served its purpose – giving you Ten Reasons to Attend the Healdsburg Jazz Festival!
More information about this year’s Festival:
See our past Reasons to Attend the Healdsburg Jazz Festival.