Breaking news
HJF Board announces reinstatement of artistic director Jessica Felix
On Labor Day, September 6, the Board of Directors of the Healsburg Jazz Festival announced that in response to public support for artistic director Jessica Felix, they were reinstating her position and electing her Chairperson of the Board.
They then announced their resignation as a Board, clearing the way for Felix to appoint a new board for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, which she founded in 1999.
Despite this change of direction for the Board, it’s clear that substantial challenges await Felix in efforts to stage the 2011 Festival, which is still contingent on fund-raising to retire the standing debt. “We have a big challenge ahead of us,” she said. “But I believe we’re in a good position to do it.”
The full press release follows, and is available here as a PDF download.
Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Jessica Felix to Direct 2011 Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Healdsburg, CA — September 7, 2010 — Responding to public support for Artistic Director Jessica Felix, and pledges of financial support for the 2011 Healdsburg Jazz Festival (HJF), the five members of the current Board voted unanimously to reinstate Ms. Felix to the Board and elect her Chairperson. The five current Board members are resigning, effective immediately; Felix, who founded HJF 12 years ago, will form a new Board.
Felix looks forward to continuing to serve as the Festival’s Artistic Director. “I was very touched, and am extremely grateful, for the outpouring of support shown by our community and jazz lovers from all over the country. Now is the time to rededicate ourselves to our mission to provide performance opportunities, while educating young people and adults about the vital role of jazz as preeminent American art form.”
“This is a gratifying turn of events,” says Pat Templin, chairman of the current Board that, last month, suspended the 2011 festival and eliminated Felix’s position due to financial shortfalls. “The Board has worked long and hard to realize the level of economic support recently offered by the community. We are confident that Jessica and the new Board will advance the festival which has been a signature event and valuable asset to Healdsburg.”
The Healdsburg Jazz Festival is an educational, tax-exempt 501 (C) 3 organization. Jazz education programs will continue as a primary focus of the organization, including Operation Jazz Band.
“The Hippest Small Town In America,” Healdsburg California,home to world-class jazz, wines, dining, shopping and hospitality rallies together to give the world-class Healdsburg Jazz Festival.
You don’t even have to be a jazz fan to know that as a world-respected tourist destination with a full menu of much of the best the West Coast has to offer in a single warm and friendly city.
The Healdsburg Jazz Festival is the last of a dying breed of pure jazz festivals; other famous festivals have diluted their Festivals to include Smooth Jazz, blues and popstars to support their festivals and quickly leave. Jessica Felix has made Healdsburg a year-round home to some of the finest jazz musicians in the world.
Jazz, Wine and Dining alone attract the kind of tourists that suuport our economy and allow us all to enjoy the best of Healdsburg.
I moved here from Seattle to be part of this lifestyle.
Let’s support Jessica and her friends in the community and jazz world to make all of this year’s festival work.