Taste Outstanding California Wines
The Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival features some of California’s finest wineries. We believe some of the best wine in the world comes from California, and we hope you’ll come sample them for yourself. When you arrive, you’ll get a commemorative stemless wine glass and an event wristband – then you’ll be free to explore the many winemakers that will line Half Moon Bay’s historic Main Street.
2025 Participating Wineries
(Confirmed participants below, this list will expand as the event draws closer)
- 3P Wine Co.
- Absolution Cellars
- AvinoDos Wines
- Benessere Vineyards
- Blackbird Vineyards
- Bushong Vintage Company
- Caelesta
- Caliza Winery
- CASS Winery
- CRUSH Vineyard
- Cutruzzola Vineyards
- Deauratus
- Decemil Estate Wines LLC
- Elaine
- Fathers + Daughters Cellars
- Grgich Hills Estate
- Half Moon Bay Winery [sponsor]
- Harney Lane Vineyards
- Hendry
- High camp wines
- Intent Wines
- Jack Creek Cellars
- Kaleidos
- Kings Mountain Vineyards [VIP]
- Lexington Wine Co. [VIP]
- MacRostie Winery
- McPrice Myers Wines
- MCV Wines
- Monroy Wines
- Muscardini Cellars
- Neal Family Vineyards
- Oxlee Graham Wines
- Peachy Canyon Winery
- Saintsbury
- Samuel Louis Wines [VIP]
- Siduri
- Six Cloves Wines
- Staysail Cellars
- Steven Kent Winery
- Stilson Cellars
- Tercero Wines
- Thomas Fogarty Winery
- Truchard Vineyards
- The Vice Napa Valley
- Ward Four Wines
- ZANTE by Peltier Winery
Experience World-Class Jazz
It’s an honor to bring some of the finest jazz musicians in the world downtown for the Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival. Appearing on the Main Stage are the Tiffany Austin Quintet, Larry Vuckovich Quintet featuring Grammy Award-winning vocalist Jamie Davis, and the Sundra Manning Organ Quartet featuring Ashling Cole. The event will also feature live music at various locations along Main Street – performers to be announced.
Tiffany Austin Quintet:
The Love Epoch
At times dynamically soaring and soulfully meditative, this quintet project celebrates the love and legacy of spiritual jazz pioneers like Pharaoh Sanders, John Coltrane & Sun Ra through classic and original works.
Tiffany Austin is a vocalist, composer, educator and Berkeley Law Juris Doctor who whose musical influences include Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and John Coltrane.
Tiffany Austin
Tiffany Austin is a vocalist, composer, educator and Berkeley Law Juris Doctor who whose musical influences include Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and John Coltrane. She has performed with luminaries such as Pharoah Sanders, Roy Ayers, and John Handy, and has toured both domestically and internationally including venues and festivals in California, New York, Asia, the UK and Australasia.
Nothing But Soul”, Austin’s debut album from 2015, garnered attention from NPR’s “Fresh Air” program and Downbeat magazine for its bold recasting of Hoagy Carmichael standards. Her 2018 sophomore album, “Unbroken”, was hailed by All About Jazz as a “fully formed masterpiece”, received a 4 star Downbeat review, and reached #16 on jazz radio charts.
Austin co-founded the Wyldflowr Arts venue in Oakland, and serves as Artistic Director of both the Diaspora Sessions and Albany Juneteenth festivals. She is Musical Director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival Choir, and teaches at universities, schools and series throughout the Bay Area. Most recently, Austin was featured on the cover of East Bay Magazine, and was narrator and a feature performer in the KCSM Radio documentary film
Larry Vuckovich Quintet
featuring Jamie Davis
Larry Vuckovich has won acclaim from critics and jazz audiences for his deeply imaginative style and repertoire heard at prestigious North American and European jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals.
The only student of the legendary Vince Guaraldi, Vuckovich stands out as one of the few left who has performed with such giants of Cab Calloway, Red Norvo, Don Byas, Dexter Gordon, and many many more. The New York Times notes that his unique outlook and collection of influences “set him apart from most pianists who are heard regularly in New York”.
Larry Vuckovich
Pianist Larry Vuckovich has earned the recognition as being is one of the most versatile pianists/composers in all of jazz. His diverse styles are presented authentically throughout concerts in wide-ranging fashion covering: swinging Bebop/Afro-Cuban Latin/Brazilian/funky boogaloo down-home blues/also World Music Balkan Ethno style – an area in which he is known as a pioneer, being the first in America to fuse Balkan ethnic, Gypsy Roma folk elements with American jazz. An example is the top charting 1980 Blue Balkan LP released featuring Bobby Hutcherson, which is been creatively remastered into an attractive digipak format, reaching the number 10 spot on the Jazz Week charts. (the various music selections will play, are included in this paragraph in the different styles that I do). An added point: he was Vince Guaraldi’s only student and later was honored when Vince hired him to become his piano partner in Vince’s 2 piano quintet, Powder Keg. Larry Vuckovich presents the real Vince Guaraldi music – minimal Peanuts. His Vince Guaraldi repertoire includes what Vince really loved: swinging Bebop, Afro-Cuban Latin, authentic Brazilian as he recorded with Bola Sete, funky boogaloo selections plus more.
On today’s jazz scene, pianist Larry Vuckovich stands out as one of the few left who has performed with such giants going back to the 30s and on: Cab Calloway, Red Norvo, Don Byas, Dexter Gordon, Jon Hendricks, Clark Terry, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Bobby Hutcherson, Charles McPherson, Tom Harrell, Charlie Haden and many many more. He led the house trios at the major jazz clubs such as in Munich, Germany at the domicile accompanying Philly Joe Jones, Jon Hendricks, Lucky Thompson, Benny Bailey, Pony Poindexter, Clifford Jordan, etc.… At the famed the Keystone corner, he led the house trio accompanying Charles McPherson, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson (recording a live album with him), Freddie Hubbard, Buddy Tate, Arnett Cobb, Scott Hamilton.
He spent 5 important years on the New York scene from’ 85 –’ 90, gaining recognition among the great musicians and the critics. Here is his New York page https://larryvuckovich.com/nyc.htm ; he has performed at the major venues as Village Vanguard which Charles McPherson, Curtis Fuller, Billy Higgins & David Williams. Also, at the Blue Note which Charles McPherson, Cecil Payne. He led his own quartet at the West End club featuring the great drummer Mel Lewis.
Jamie Davis
Internationally Acclaimed Grammy Winning Vocalist Jamie Davis holds a position amongst the pantheon of great male vocalists with a compelling full baritone voice and a passion for his craft that leaves his audiences uplifted and feeling good…really good.
He has been described as a fine wine which has stood the test of time, constantly innovating jazz classics, ‘rolling out’ the blues and performing with one foot in the past and the other in ‘today.’
Jamie Davis
After studying under the renowned New York vocal coach Edward Boatner, he moved to San Francisco securing opportunities to perform with Milt Jackson, Eddie Henderson, Melba More and Pharoah Saunders. The year 2000 brought exhilarating performances with the Count Basie Orchestra. On that experience Davis reflects, “Having all that sound behind you is just amazing. You’ve got to ride that current.”
With a repertoire from Cole Porter to Stevie Wonder to the classical music of Bach, Schumann, Mahler and Rameau’s French compositions, confirms Davis possesses the flexibility and sexy sophistication by his effortless delivery to stand with any of the great vocalists. He has been described as a fine wine which has stood the test of time, constantly innovating jazz classics, ‘rolling out’ the blues and performing with one foot in the past and the other in ‘today.’
Jamie’s musical education began in the choir of his father’s Pentecostal Church in Mansfield, Ohio. His unique bass-baritone voice brought life to liturgical music sung in Latin. During his time in the US Army he sang not only memorable show tunes, but also a wide range of swing, jazz and blues for the Special Services elite group.
Sundra Manning Organ Quartet
featuring Ashling Cole
Oakland-born organist Sundra Manning has been a major force in music for over three decades. The Sundra Manning Organ Quartet will perform a set of original compositions and the works of one of her influences, organ great Shirley Scott.
A versatile instrumentalist and composer, Sundra Manning’s music work was nominated for Grammys with divas Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway, and she has worked with a staggering array of musical greats. With this performance, she honors the “Queen of the Organ,” Shirley Scott, whose music is a soulful blend of bebop, blues, and gospel.
Sundra Manning
Oakland-born organist Sundra Manning has been a major force in music for over three decades. The Sundra Manning Organ Quartet will perform a set of original compositions and the works of one of her influences, organ great Shirley Scott.
A versatile instrumentalist and composer, her music works was nominated for GRAMMYs with divas Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway, and has worked with a staggering array of greats including Larry Graham featuring Prince, Raphael Saadiq, H.E.R., Peter Tork of the Monkees, Bobby Womack, Peabo Bryson, Will Downing, EnVogue, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ledisi, Michelle Shocked, MC Hammer, Jody Watley & Shalamar, Walter Hawkins’ Love Center Youth Ministry, Martin Luther McCoy, Pete Escovedo, Nona Hendryx & Black Women Rock and many more.
Manning spent her formative years performing in church and was mentored by Bay Area organ luminary and Tony! Toni! Toné! music director Carl Wheeler and André Crouch organist Chuck Webb, touring with gospel legends along the way. Manning has written and produced music for major films, television, and national advertising, and is an active educator, working with Living Jazz – Jazz Camp West, Jam Camp West, SFJAZZ’s Jazz in the Middle program.
With this performance, she honors the “Queen of the Organ,” Shirley Scott, whose music is a soulful blend of bebop, blues, and gospel.
Ashling Cole
Ashling Cole is a dynamic American singer renowned for her versatility across genres such as R&B, jazz, funk, and gospel. Throughout her career, Cole has collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Carlos Santana, Prince, Marcus Miller, Bootsy Collins and others.
In 2020, Cole’s talents were further recognized when she became a contestant on BET’s “Sunday Best,” where she advanced to the top four. Her performances on the show were marked by a profound sense of spirituality and emotional depth, reflecting her personal journey and resilience.
Sundra Manning
Ashling Cole, also known as “Biscuit,” is a dynamic American singer renowned for her versatility across genres such as R&B, jazz, funk, and gospel. Born in San Francisco, California, she began her musical journey at the tender age of six when she was accepted into the San Francisco Girls Chorus to study opera. After six years, inspired by Whitney Houston, she transitioned her focus from opera to R&B.
Throughout her career, Cole has collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Sheila E., Carlos Santana, Bootsy Collins, Marcus Miller, Dave Koz, Chris Botti, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, and Prince. She is perhaps best known for her role as the lead singer of Graham Central Station, touring extensively with legendary bassist Larry Graham.
In 2015, Cole released her first solo project, “Where Love Began,” an EP featuring five original songs she wrote, arranged, and co-produced. Her music seamlessly blends elements of R&B, jazz, funk, and gospel, showcasing her wide-ranging vocal abilities and deep emotional resonance.
In 2020, Cole’s talents were further recognized when she became a contestant on BET’s “Sunday Best,” where she advanced to the top four. Her performances on the show were marked by a profound sense of spirituality and emotional depth, reflecting her personal journey and resilience.
Beyond performing, Cole is dedicated to education and mentorship. She serves as a curriculum writer and choir director for Elevate Oakland, an organization committed to providing arts and music education to underfunded schools.
Ashling Cole’s career is a testament to her exceptional talent, adaptability, and commitment to using her musical gifts to inspire and uplift others.
Marcus Shelby: Artistic Director
The Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival is grateful to Marcus Shelby for his extraordinary leadership and vision as our Artistic Director. His deep knowledge of jazz, rich experience as a composer and bandleader, and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in shaping the festival’s musical identity.
From curating an outstanding lineup of Main Stage performers to fostering an atmosphere of creativity and connection, Marcus has infused the festival with a passion for jazz that resonates with artists and audiences alike. His ability to bring together world-class musicians while honoring the spirit of jazz has made our festival a truly special experience.
Food Court & Beer/Cider Garden
With all of that wine tasting and music, you’re going to get hungry, so we’ve assembled a food court where you can purchase food from some of our favorite local eateries. It’s a wine and jazz festival, but if wine isn’t your thing, or you’re just craving a cold one to wash down that delicious food from the food court, beer and cider will be available for purchase from a some great local breweries and cideries!
(Confirmed participants below, this list will expand as the event draws closer)
Upgrade Your Festival Experience:
The Exclusive VIP Lounge at It’s Italia
Indulge in the ultimate festival experience with exclusive access to the VIP Lounge at It’s Italia—a stunning Italian villa-style retreat with a charming courtyard, cozy fireplaces, and an atmosphere of refined luxury. From 11 AM to 4 PM, VIP ticket holders will enjoy a day of unparalleled hospitality, featuring:
⏰ Early Entry (11 AM)
Get a head start on the festival before the crowds.
🍷 Premier Wine Tastings
Savor rare, highly curated selections from Kings Mountain Vineyards, Lexington Wine Co. and Samuel Louis Wines, hand-picked for this exclusive setting.
🥖 Gourmet Pairings & Passed Delicacies
Indulge in an ever-flowing selection of exquisite bites, including Smoked salmon blini with crème fraîche & caviar, Braised short rib atop polenta cake, a variety of artisanal bruschetta, crisp, tender calamari, and many more chef-crafted delights.
🕊️ A Tranquil Escape
Step away from the bustle and unwind in the villa’s open-air courtyard, where the warmth of flickering fireplaces and fresh coastal air set the perfect ambiance for conversation and relaxation in a more private setting.
👑 A True VIP Experience
Whether you’re mingling with fellow wine and jazz lovers, savoring an extra pour, or simply soaking in the elegance of It’s Italia, this is your space to indulge, unwind, and celebrate in style.
🎟️ VIP tickets are available for $175 (includes general admission wine tasting). Availability is limited—secure your VIP experience now and treat yourself to a festival day unlike any other!
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
The Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and community partners. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2025 event, use our contact form to request more information.
Premiere Partner
Community Partners
Supporters
