Henry Grimes © Michael Jackson

Highlights of the 2007 Vision Festival include newly commissioned works by William Parker, Bill Dixon, and Roy Campbell (with support from the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors), and Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble (commissioned by Chamber Music America), as well as performances by Fieldwork, Spiritual Unity featuring Marc Ribot (with special guest Henry Grimes), Jayne Cortez and the Firespitters, Hamid Drake, Matthew Shipp Solo, Louis Moholo and Friends, T.E.C.K. String 4tet, Fred Anderson Trio, Amiri and Amina Baraka, Tim Berne, Ganelin Trio Priority, and much, much more. There will also be a special memorial tribute to the violinist Leroy Jenkins, featuring 50 violins under the direction of Billy Bang and Jason Kao Hwang. The full schedule follows.

Norman Brown and Peabo Bryson © Joe Montague

Smooth jazz guitarist Norman Brown opened the act billed as Summer Storm at the 32^nd annual The Harrah’s Rincon Smooth Jazz 98.1 Gaslamp Festival in San Diego, The one day festival held on May 26, featured numerous musicians and singers performing on two stages located in the city’s downtown core from mid afternoon until late evening. Brown was joined periodically on stage by keyboardist Jeff Lorber, soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows and singer Peabo Bryson. Backed by a solid quintet consisting of a drummer, percussionist, rhythm guitar and bass player, Brown’s chords sizzled and his scatting was flawless and effortless. Often it was difficult to tell where his scatting which often transcended into more of a vocalese, ended and his guitar began.

After a couple of songs, Brown introduced Lorber to the audience. Seated behind an electric keyboard Lorber to the delight of the thousands who crowded the streets, pushing towards the front of the stage, moved into the title track from his current CD He Had A Hat.

Roy Hargrove © Ian Gittler

Events, some ticketed and some free, are held throughout Healdsburg and surrounding Sonoma wine country: