Babatunde Lea and Friends at the Lobby

including Teodross Avery, Gary Brown and special guests

Babatunde LeaHotel Healdsburg Lobby
25 Matheson Street, Healdsburg
9 p.m. – Midnight
Friday & Saturday, June 9-10
No cover

Sponsors: Chalk Hill Estates, Roth Winery, North Coast Brewing Cº

The music doesn’t stop off the stages at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. In fact, some of the best stuff arguably occurs where musicians and fans alike like to kick back, in the lobby of the Hotel Healdsburg on Saturdays and Sundays. There is no cover for this casual venue – but it’s worth it at any price.

This year, it’s a party hosted by trans-global percussion wizard Babatunde Lea and Friends. Babatunde – the name Lea adopted after seeing the great Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji perform in 1959 – was a stalwart Bay Area drummer and educator for decades, backing up  musicians including  Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, Randy Weston and McCoy Tyner.

Appearing with Babatunde is tenor saxophonist Teodross Avery, pianist Frank Martin, and Gary Brown on bass. They’ll be doing their best to keep up with the energetic drummer – and whoever else comes in the door.

Babatunde is a master of most African, Latin American and jazz forms. As such, he is prepared for any of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival musicians who might want to drop by the hotel and really test their mettle. Keep this in mind as you enjoy everything the festival has to offer. Buy a drink. You might get a surprise to go with it.

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