The grand finale for the 14th Healdsburg Jazz Festival is a truly special affair. It’s a day to celebrate Roy-alty–drummer/ bandleader/NEA Jazz Master Roy Haynes and his family and friends. Each of the three acts is part of Roy-alty. During his own set with the Fountain of Youth band, Roy’s son Craig—who has obviously learned the necessity of dancing behind the drum kit from Dad—will be guesting on percussion.
Second on the bill, fellow NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan, has been a family friend of Roy’s since the early ‘50s; she pushed newborn Craig around in a stroller along with her own daughter.
Opening act Vijay Iyer, a fast-rising star in jazz, has invited Roy’s son Graham, a brilliant cornetist/electronic music artist, to sit in as a special guest.
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There’s another thing each of these musicians shares with Roy–a compulsion to perform at the highest level. Will there be any surprises for the grand finale? Impossible to say, but with all the jazz royalty occupying Healdsburg this year, it wouldn’t be wise to count anything out.
