Tuesdays in the Plaza: Melba's Kitchen (Jazz/Big Band)

Our weekly summer concerts in the Healdsburg Plaza from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. provide an eclectic and unique line-up of bands, and have been assembled to please a wide array of musical interests. Food vendors will be on-hand to offer locally sourced food for sale starting at 5:00 p.m. with the music beginning at 6:00 p.m. About the band: MELBA’S KITCHEN is the all women big band celebrating Black women musical geniuses Melba Liston and Mary Lou Williams, and their friends. Based in the East Bay, the band has performed multiple times at YOSHI’s, the Freight and Salvage, and San Francisco’s de Young Museum, as well as SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium and the National Women’s Music Festival. MELBA’S KITCHEN creates a signature atmosphere of kindness, joy, political action, and fun. MELBA’S KITCHEN is a “talent-packed ensemble” (Andy Gilbert), “so astonishing - so swinging” (Dr. Dee Spencer), that delivers “a marvelous night and good vibes all around.” (Rebeca Mauleon) Their performance in Healdsburg includes a mix of concert pieces showcasing Liston, Williams, and their friends, plus a healthy menu of dance tunes, and a taste of the band’s originals. A musical journey you’ll never forget! MELBA’S KITCHEN honors the under-recognized jazz great MELBA LISTON and her formidable contributions to jazz. Liston toured with and wrote for Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Gerald Wilson, and collaboratedfor decades - in the Ellington/ Strayhorn mode - with piano titan Randy Weston. Liston had a great big beautiful sound on the trombone, and was a pioneer as a woman in jazz. She arranged for many, including Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, Marvin Gaye, Clark Terry, and Ruth Brown. Liston also arranged for her dear friend and inspiration, MARY LOU WILLIAMS, who was an activist for jazz, a virtuosic and inspired pianist, composer, and arranger. MELBA’S KITCHEN intends to bring Liston’s and Williams’ names into your musical household. Tuesdays in the Plaza is hosted by the City of Healdsburg Community Services. A very special thank you to Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Lynda & Louis Jordan, and Barbara & Howard Wollner for their generous sponsorship.