
The decision has touched off a firestorm of controversy in the normally quiet town of Healdsburg (where I happen to live), raising questions about the Festival's financial management and artistic mission. On one hand, the Board cites a recent budget shortfall of $30,000 that had to be covered from their own pockets as the main reason for the restructuring. The Festival's programming, which featured mainstream, progressive jazz and many Brazilian artists, simply didn't generate sufficient ticket sales to cover its expenses. Even though Jessica Felix had nurtured the Festival into a respected and much anticipated annual event -- by musicians and fans alike-- the numbers simply didn't add up and the Board decided it was time for a change of direction.
On the other hand, many of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival's prominent musicians, donors and other friends have rallied behind Felix and proclaimed support for her to be reinstated. They note her vision in first establishing the Festival and her many contacts in the jazz world that have kept it alive over the years.
The Board sees signs of changing audience tastes and is considering adding blues acts and less adventurous jazz artists to make the Festival both attractive and financially viable once again. Jessica Felix and her supporters want to keep the artistic profile of the Festival intact and offer the public -- and artists -- more of what's made the event popular in the past. Stand by for news on what may be the end (or a new beginning) of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival.
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