Healdsburg Jazz is honored to announce bassist, composer, arranger, and educator Amina Scott as our 2025 Rising Artist in Residence. Amina Scott was born in Oakland, CA, and started playing electric bass at twelve when she developed a strong passion for music. She received her bachelor’s degree in music from Loyola University in New Orleans and later her master’s degree from Florida State University in 2019. She lives, performs, and teaches in New Orleans where she has worked with luminaries such as Jazzmeia Horn, Chief Xian Atunde Adjuah, Don Vappie, David Murray, Johnny Vidacovich, Joanne Bracken, Nicholas Payton, Herlin Riley, and Germaine Bazzle. She currently tours with a project, spearheaded by legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, called WE EXIST! as well as with the DDB Big Band where she serves as an arranger and as the bassist. Amina Scott will be one of our featured artists for our Winter Festival “Harlem of the West” Jazz Party on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Mahder Gallery. She will also be featured in our June Festival with her quintet and give an educational presentation at St. Paul’s Church during our festival. Amina Scott is one of the most talented, creative, and promising young artists in our art form. Not only is she accomplished on both upright and electric bass, but she’s also an excellent composer.

We’re looking forward to working with Amina Scott and are excited to support her creative development.

Steve is one of the world’s preeminent jazz innovators, trombonists, and seashellists. His career spans from the 1960s to the present, and includes an incredible amount of celebrated recordings and tours with luminaries such Ray Charles, Woody Shaw, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Lester Bowie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, Max Roach, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who introduced him to the seashell as an instrument. I have personally known and worked with Steve over the past decade and he quickly became a mentor and inspirational artist to me. Steve is also a master teacher and educator, and has been a member of the Saturday Night Live Band for over 40 years. He is one of the most influential trombonists in history. Healdsburg Jazz is so honored to have him as our first Master Artist in Residence. Part of the terms of his residency will include a featured performance at our upcoming 2024 Summer Festival on June 15th and a master class pre-festival on June 14th. Please continue to follow our newsletters to learn about our work with the legendary Steve Turre.

George Wells, an accomplished artist with an architectural and design background, has been wielding his camera for four decades, and his extraordinary eye has allowed him to capture and collaborate with acclaimed and award-winning artists and performers. George’s versatility extends beyond photography, as he is deeply passionate about sculpture and finding innovative ways to present his work.

A long-time resident of Healdsburg, George has embraced the spirit of the community and contributes to its rich artistic heritage. Now in Austin, George is more than excited to return to the incredible artistry, history, and personality of the festival for his 18th year. For the 25 Anniversary of the Festival, George presented a 35-foot mural in seven photographic panels that celebrate the rich and diverse tapestry of talented musicians who have contributed to its cultural vitality. George’s passion for the Festival runs deep, and he holds a special place in his heart for the “Best Small Jazz Festival in America.”

Healdsburg Jazz is proud and honored to announce that harpist, composer, and educator Destiny Muhammad will be our 2022 Artist in Residence! Destiny is based in Oakland, CA and has been a musical force in the Bay Area music community for the past 2 decades. She has worked with SFJAZZ, the San Francisco Symphony, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Grace Cathedral, and was a featured artist in our 2021 Healdsburg Jazz Summer Festival.  We are thrilled to be working with such a visionary and accomplished musician, educator, and community activist.

We are excited and honored to officially announce poet and educator Enid Pickett as our first Healdsburg Jazz Poet Laureate! We believe that our priorities and possibilities begin with the artists we support. Enid Pickett embodies all the artistic and humanitarian qualities that represent the best of our culture. Enid Pickett has been the unofficial Healdsburg Freedom Choir Jazz Poet Laureate for over eight years and on January 22, 2021, her appointment became official. 

Healdsburg Jazz is proud and honored to officially announce Tammy L. Hall as the Healdsburg Jazz 2021 Artist in Residence! Tammy is a world class pianist and composer whose music is representative of the entire breadth of Black American Music from its spiritual roots to modern approaches to blues, ballads, and swing.