Vino Jazz Festival announces lineup

The fifth annual Simi Valley Vino Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 15 will include R&B and gospel singer Howard Hewitt, jazz artist Nancy Wilson and violinist Karen Briggs. The event, scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m., will take place at Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way.

It is the largest single annual fundraiser for the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support the center and performing arts in Simi Valley. The festival also will include wine tasting, gourmet food, gift packages and opportunities to win prizes.

Hewitt was lead vocalist for the R&B group Shalamar from 1979 to 1985 when the group scored a number of hits, including "Dancing in the Sheets" from the "Footloose" motion picture soundtrack. The trio also is known for songs such as "Second Time Around," "A Night to Remember" and "This Is for the Lover in You."

After going solo, Hewitt released two R&B hits, "I'm for Real" and "Stay," as well as "Say Amen," a hit on the gospel charts. Hewitt has recorded duets with Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick and others.

Wilson is a jazz icon/legend who has performed in television shows such as the Andy Williams, Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson shows. Wilson won an Emmy for "The Nancy Wilson Show" on NBC in 1975. The three-time Grammy award-winner has had three albums in the U.S. Top 10 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Briggs is a wellknown violinist who has performed with Diana Ross, Wynton Marsalis, Soul II Soul, En Vogue, the Wu Tang Clan, Chaka Khan and Kenny Loggins, among others. She spent 13 years recording and touring with contemporary instrumental keyboard composer Yanni.

In 2006 the festival had more than 1,200 attendees, 26 wineries providing 90 different types of wine and three stages hosting eight bands. General admission tickets are $50, and VIP tickets are $125.

For more information, call (805) 583-7900 or (805) 432-8909, or visit www.simi-arts.org.