Healdsburg Jazz Festival is one of the crown jewels of Sonoma County’s Cultural Calendar
Don’t let June sneak by without catching the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, taking place from June 12-21 in and around the wine country town. This is the festival’s 28th year, and surprisingly it manages to fly under the radar for many locals.
“Every year, our goal is to bring national, regional, and local talent to Healdsburg,” said Marcus Shelby, artistic director of the festival. “We feature master artists as well as the rising stars who have shown a lot of promise and are beginning to get notoriety.”
This year’s festival is particularly momentous as it anchors a global centennial celebration of two titans of the genre: Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
One of the festival’s greatest charms is how it weaves through the town’s most iconic spaces. Shelby offers, “What makes Healdsburg Jazz Festival unique is that we partner with our local community to create venues at a winery, or restaurant, a church, or in the town square.”
Concert goers can catch an intimate matinee at Auteur Wines or Overshine Winery, attend a powerful evening of Duke Ellington at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, or enjoy the flagship outdoor concerts at Bacchus Landing. The heart of the festival remains the picturesque Healdsburg Plaza, which will host the free Juneteenth Celebration—a rich celebration of Black culture featuring an entire day of music, food, and community under the warm Sonoma sun.
This year’s lineup is a masterclass in diversity, moving from classic soul to modern innovation, from Prince to tap dance. Check out these highlights:
The Centennials
In honor of their 100th birthdays, the festival features a massive Miles Davis Centennial Concert led by the Willie Jones III Quintet featuring Jeremy Pelt. In addition, the Freedom Jazz Choir will perform a special tribute to the spiritual and revolutionary works of both Davis and Coltrane.
Prince Reimagined
For those who love a crossover, the Jazz Mafia will take over Spoonbar at the h2hotel for a high-energy “Cocktail Concert,” reimagining the catalog of Prince through a brass-heavy, jazz-fusion lens.
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To find out more and purchase tickets: healdsburgjazz.org