In May of 1989 a small group of Jazz lovers decided to bring live jazz to the town of Sonoma. We are a small non-profit 501(c)(3) organization solely funded by donations made by local citizens and business owners. The board is made up of a staff of all volunteers (no paid positions). We have been producing quality Jazz performances in Sonoma Valley for 35 years.

Janice King, President

Jazz always meant good times in her childhood household.  Growing up in Michigan there was always and abundance of music but when Dad put on the jazz that meant “party time”.  These fond memories brought Janice to volunteer for the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society where she served as Treasurer for her first year and then President for the past 31 years.  She has produced over 500+ jazz events (mostly Free to the community) in the Sonoma Valley.  Janice also has 34 years experience in the software industry working in Program & Project Management along with Quality Assurance and Software Developement at startups and larger corporations.  Janice has an Accounting degree from Golden Gate Universary, San Francisco.

Lina Perlas, Vice President

Music has always been a thread in my life’s tapestry. My love of jazz started in Portland OR where I worked after hours at the Caffe Espresso (while attending Portland State College) which featured live jazz and my friend saxophonist Jim Pepper would often play. I traveled to Boston and worked at the non-profit Club 47 which featured many folk, blues and jazz artists – Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Reverend Gary Davis - Larry Coryell, George Benson and had an all-access pass to the Newport Jazz Festival which featured Dizzy Gillespie, Wes Montgomery, Buddy Rich, Roy Haynes, John Handy Great weekend of Lobsters and Jazz. I joined the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society and as a former President and current Vice President have been working alongside a great team to bring local and nationally recognized musicians to appreciative audiences.

Bob Vargas, Vice President

I grew up in Sonoma Valley and initially just listened to pop radio. I discovered jazz after high school when I first heard Vince Guaraldi’s “Cast Your Fate to the Wind”. Finding the SVJS has been educational and led to great friendships. I’ve enjoyed an amazing variety of jazz music and talented musicians.

Eve Priestly, Treasurer

Eve has lived in Sonoma Valley since 2004, relocating from Sausalito where she lived in a yacht harbor aboard a sailboat made in France.  It was there that she discovered Jazz at the No Name Bar on Sundays, listening to Mal Sharpe and his band.

She enjoys skiing in winter, playing tennis & cycling in summer and traveling to Yosemite in the fall where she can hone her photography skills.

Eve brings 30+ years of experience in accounting to the Treasurer position and looks forward to meeting you @ The Plaza on Tuesday nights or In the Barn where she can be found volunteering in the wine booth!

Sue Vargas, Secretary

I grew up near Detroit, but was too young to go to the popular jazz clubs all over the city. When I moved to Sonoma I was thrilled to hear about the SVJS concerts, which started in 1989. I’ve been an enthusiastic supporter ever since attending my first plaza concert. And a bonus is that you can dance to a lot of jazz music.

Victor Conforti - Fund Developer

Started listening to Jazz with my jazz pianist brother when I was 12 years old.  We’d go to Shelly’s Mann Hole in LA to listen to the greats.  Miles, Coltrane and my brother’s favorite Bill Evan up close and personal.  Played around with the drums, jazz guitar, chromatic harmonica and a little piano.  Been with the Jazz Society for 30 some years... and loving jazz for the last 65 years... and will keep it up until I hear the last lick of this beautiful music.

Bill Casey - Volunteer & Concert Producer

I started out doing radio broadcasting music from my Detroit college in a small studio in that aired 1 AM Sunday mornings then on a major Detroit station in 1967: WXYZ. I loved it and it was Motown music and some jazz. Then Moving to Portland Oregoni 1975, I really got into jazz live music and met a number of performers , some who came later to the Bay Area. I got hooked up with local musicians and also the infancy of our Jazz Society around the later 1980s. I continue being lucky to be part of the society's volunteers. Bay Area Jazz greats have come to our town locally and as well as many from the Midwest and East Coast. I again was on the first jazz show at the beginning of Sonoma's own KSVY radio n 2004. I currently DJ on the " Vinyl Cave" show.

Kathy McEvoy –

Membership & Sponsorship

Chair

I was born and raised in San Francisco and then was fortunate enough to move to beautiful Sonoma County over 30 years ago.  Music has always been one of my passions in life – the others being art, nature and animals.  I was a singer all through my school years and into my thirties but had to put it to the side as time devoted to my family and career became my priorities.  While I enjoy just about every type of music, my favorites have always been the jazz, swing and blues standards of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. 

I’m now happily retired from a rewarding career in Commercial Property Management.  I learned about the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society several years ago, I’ve been to several of their wonderful concerts and I am now delighted to be a part of this extraordinary group, helping out with the Membership and Sponsorship duties as I expand my knowledge of and exposure to jazz!

Valerie Camarda

- Marketing Director

Valerie Camarda is the Marketing Director for the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. A consummate jazz lover, Valerie has attended hundreds of jazz concerts including several Playboy Jazz Festivals, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and dozens of concerts as an on-going member of SF Jazz since its inception. She has served on the boards for the San Francisco American Marketing Association, the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the Association for Women in Communications and Rebuilding Together, formerly Christmas in April, a non-profit organization that helps rebuild communities and has held leadership positions at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Eric Feathers -Photographer & Volunteer

I’m a Bay Area native who moved to wine country just about 15 years ago. I’ve always considered music and art essential to life; like family, friends and neighbors. I’m a visual artist; commercial photography was my first career and I earned a BFA in photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. My photo career was altered by a Brazilian theater actress and after nearly 8 years in Brazil shooting for the tourist industry and tending bar, I returned to the City to re-adjust my goals. Digital photography nearly made me obsolete so I fell back on hospitality to make ends meet. Here in wine country I’ve worked with fine art, fine dining, photography and jazz. I’ve been with Healdsburg Jazz going on 8 years and when I recently reached out to Sonoma Jazz Society, I was immediately asked to attend a board meeting. When they asked me to join the team, I did so, without hesitation. Great people - great program.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society is to enhance the appreciation of jazz as an American musical art form through live jazz performances and education in Sonoma Valley.  We bring together our community by providing an opportunity to see, hear and meet top quality Jazz artists. We also sponsor Jazz education for young aspiring musicians in our area.