Star-studded lineup doesn't disappoint at Vino Jazz Fest
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers NOTHING FINER- Andy Knapp of Simi Valley samples a goblet of wine Saturday evening at the Simi Valley Vino Jazz Festival at Town Center Mall.

Good friends and perfect weather lured legendary songstress Nancy Wilson to perform at the fifth annual Vino Jazz Festival at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall on Saturday.

The venerable Wilson, who has racked up more than 70 albums and three Grammies in her 55-year career, performed both solo and with good friend R&B balladeer Howard Hewett.

The fundraising event benefits the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation.

"The turnout was outstanding," said Ray Cruz, festival organizer and executive director of the foundation. "We did very nicely this year."

Although receipts were still being tallied at press time, Cruz said he expects the event to raise about $60,000 for the foundation. The event sold around 700 tickets, about 25 percent more than last year, he said.

"It's great fun, great people, great wine, great food," said Mehri Jafari of Encino, who heard about the event from her employer, Time Warner, a major sponsor of the festival.

Photo courtesy Tony Maddox Photography/Photo byGeorge Lyle lll SHINING STARS- Jazz icons Howard Hewett and Nancy Wilson deliver an emotional ballad.

Although this was Jafari's first time at the festival, her friend James Cran attended last year.

"I think this year is better than last year," said Cran, a communications manager for Time Warner. "It's a very friendly, good atmosphere. It makes you want to come back- that's why I'm here a second year in a row."

The festival saw more business and corporate sponsors this year, according to director Cruz.

He also said he was impressed with the more than 100 volunteers who put in many hours on Saturday morning setting up the stages in three wine gardens throughout the mall.

"It was an incredible experience," Cruz said. "It's just beyond raising money for the cultural arts . . . it's bring the community together to have a great old time."

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers UNCORK A SMILE- Emily Thompson, left, and Erin Mason of Megawine, Inc. pour samples during Saturday's Simi Valley Vino Jazz Festival.

Elizabeth Clayton of Indiana was visiting her brother, Tony Maddox, when he recruited her to serve as a festival volunteer. Maddox was the festival's master of ceremonies.

"It's a great cause and it's a beautiful place," Clayton said. "I know that Tony is always involved in something worthwhile."

Festival organizers also had sign language interpreters for the hearing-impaired. Cruz said the cultural arts center foundation, which began making the service available at performances last year, sent word out to organizations serving that population that the festival would have interpreters. About 15 hearing impaired-people attended the festival, Cruz said

Attendees of all ages and many different ethnicities also heard music from Evelyn "Champagne" King and her husband, guitarist Freddy Fox, and twotime Grammywinning producer and guitarist Paul Brown.

An energetic performance by innovative violinist Karen Briggs brought the audience to their feet.