This trio consists of three highly innovative improvisers with great finesse and sensitivity in collective playing that creates adventurous jazz. Their instruments mesh in such a way that the sax and a bowed bass sound as one.

Preserving her musical past, Sona Jobarteh innovates to support a more humanitarian future. Her musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of The West African Griot Tradition; she is a living archive of the Gambian people.

Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah is a two-time Edison Award-winning, six-time Grammy Award-nominated, Doris Duke Award in the Arts Award-winner. He is a sonic architect, trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and more.

Jonah Parzen-Johnson's approach to music includes both improvisation and composition that is both formidable and unique. Seattle-based Here to Play opens with Kelsey Mines, Neil Welch, and Gregg Keplinger and brings forward-thinking to the festival.

Gil Scott-Heron exploded on the scene with works of powerful social and political commentary reflecting the African American experience and struggle for justice delivered in a style that became a major influence on the development of rap.