Another Year of Healdsburg Jazz

Jazz is coming on strong already in the new year in Healdsburg.

Along with the annual Jazz on the Menu event (Feb. 7), a two-year community participation program is starting to support the new HJF Freedom Jazz Choir.

 It is celebrating the 15th anniversary Healdsburg Jazz Festival (May 31-June 9) featuring a two-day Tribute to Charlie Haden with the Liberation Music Orchestra, Quartet West and more, plus other luminaries including Charlies Lloyd with Jason Moran, and Fred Hersch. We're kicking it off with a Jazz Education Class partnership with SSU's extended education (see below).

All that, plus the regular four-nights-a-week monthly jazz schedule.

Membership Contest for Jazz Education Class

Do you believe in lifelong learning?  HJF is pleased to support an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) class on "Exploring Jazz: An American Music," to be held here in Healdsburg at the Villa Chanticleer starting this month. It's part of the Sonoma State University extended learning program, here at the Healdsburg campus of the SSU program.

Win this class for two by becoming a member. In conjunction with OLLI, HJF is offering free enrollment for two in this class, fully tuition paid, to a lucky winner of the  latest contest. Just join or renew now or upgrade your membership between now and January 15 to be entered in the drawing. The winner will be announced Jan. 17.

The six-part class will run on Thursdays between Jan. 24-Feb. 28, from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Villa. The instructor is Len Lyons, author of several books on jazz (The 101 Best Jazz Albums; The Great Jazz Pianists; and Jazz Portraits) and a jazz pianist himself. He is currently teaching Exploring Jazz at several institutions in the Boston area.

Open House for Lifelong Learners

There will be an Open House for locals interested in the OLLI classes on Thursday, Jan. 10, at Villa Chanticleer, from 2 to 4 p.m. All three instructors for the Winter session will be there to interact and explain what they will present in the six weeks. As well as Len Lyons of "Exploring Jazz," other instructors include Bruce Elliott ("Great Cities: Capitals of Western History") and Dianne Smith ("World Cultures: The Anthropology of Tradition and Custom").

This is an opportunity for the students to decide what classes they want to take, and to meet the instructors. Registration is available online at the OLLI at SSU site. Refreshments will be served.

Jazz on the Menu

The annual Jazz on the Menu is coming up before you know it - Thursday, Feb. 7. Twelve local restaurants will participate, from Agave to Zin, with live jazz music and great food, donating a percentage to the Healdsburg Jazz Festival's music education programs.

As in earlier years, the place to be will be the after-party at Costeaux French Bakery and Café where the Noel Jewkes Quintet will blow the roof for what is sure to be a packed house. Tickets for the After-Party will be available on our website beginning January 7.

Hotel Healdsburg Jazz in the Lobby, January 2013

Friday, January 4
Dick Conte and Steve Webber Duo
Piano and Acoustic Bass

Friday, January 11
Susan Sutton and Bill Fouty Duo
Piano and Acoustic Bass

Saturday, January 12
Miles Wick Trio with Michael Coleman
and Smith Dobson
Piano, Acoustic Bass and Drums

Friday, January 18
Si Perkoff and Gary Digman Duo
Piano and Acoustic Bass

Saturday, January 19
Stephanie Ozer Trio with Peter Barshay
and Kendrick Freeman
Piano, Acoustic Bass and Drums

Friday, January 25
Robb Fisher and Matt Clark Duo
Piano and Acoustic Bass

Saturday, January 26
Mark Levine Trio Michael Glynn and Ron Marabuto
Piano, Acoustic Bass and Drums

Dry Creek Kitchen Jazz Dinners, January 2013

Monday, January 7
Kai Devitt-Lee and Eric Markowitz
Guitar and acoustic bass

Tuesday, January 8
Susan Sutton and Bill Fouty Duo
Piano and acoustic bass

Monday, January 14
Dick Conte and Steve Webber Duo
Piano and acoustic bass

Tuesday, January 15
Christian Foley-Beining and Tom Shader Duo  
Guitar and acoustic bass

Monday, January 21
Chris Amberger and Randy Vincent
Guitar and acoustic bass

Tuesday, January 22
Greg Hester and Jim Passarell Duo
Piano and acoustic bass

Monday, January 28
Bill Horvitz and Scott Walton Duo
Guitar and acoustic bass

Tuesday, January 29
Randy Vincent and Ricardo Peixoto
Guitar duo

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