No Mo’ Keb’ Mo’

The line of locals wanting tickets to the 2008 Jazz + festival stretched around the back of the Community Center, down the driveway to Napa Street, and then east down the Napa Street sidewalk. That was at 2 p.m. on Saturday, when the doors opened for advance sales of concert tickets to Sonoma residents. Jazz + volunteers estimated that over 300 people were in that line, with double that number having made their selections by the time the sales closed at 6 p.m.
Purchasers were limited to 4 tickets for each day, though spouses were often pressed into service to snag blocks of 8 seats. Bonnie Raitt was the big draw, her popularity apparently unaffected by the loss of Keb’ Mo’, who had a conflicting engagement. In fact, the center sections “sold out” for Raitt’s performance on Sunday, May 25. (Only half the rows had been set aside for the advance sale – the rest of the rows will be available this Monday, March 10, at 10 a.m., by calling 866-527-TIXX or by visiting www.sonomajazz.org.)
The remainder of the concert schedule has now been filled. Opening for Bonnie Raitt on the festival’s last day is jazz, pop, and R&B vocalist Al Jarreau, winner of seven Grammy awards. Jarreau is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., with Raitt at 9 p.m.
The event opens on Thursday, May 22, with the Johnny Nocturne Band opening at 6:30 p.m. for Kool & the Gang at 8:30 p.m. On Friday, Al Green opens for Herbie Hancock, and on Saturday, the Taylor Eigsti Quartet opens for Diana Kroll; show times both Friday and Saturday are 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Sonoma Jazz + is a non-profit organization that supports the Sonoma community’s music education needs, while producing a world-class music festival. Thanks to Sonoma Jazz +, music programming is alive in Sonoma Valley public schools.