VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest Celebrates rich heritage with Reel Jazz Classics

Reading, PA -- Jazz isn't just a music genre. It's an art form steeped in rich tradition with a widely celebrated, inspirational past.

While many of jazz's great musicians are gone, their music lives on through music lovers and musicians alike.

Now, jazz lovers have an exciting opportunity to experience a treasure trove of audio-visual footage from six timeless legends of jazz, thanks to the Jazz Icons DVD series.

The VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest has partnered with the producers of the Icons series -- four boxed sets, 30 individual DVDs -- to screen selections of these vintage, unseen concerts at this special "Countdown to the 20th" community event.

Reel Jazz Classics is slated for Sunday, March 7, at the Miller Center for the Arts on the campus of Reading Area Community College in Reading, beginning at 2 p.m. There is no cost.

The schedule is as follows:

Chris Heslop to Receive 2010 Frank Scott Award at Berks

READING, PA -- The Berks Arts Council's Frank Scott Award is given annually during the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest to honor the late jazz legend Frank Scott's memory and his contribution to the jazz heritage in Berks County.

Honorees are selected for this award because of their significant contribution to jazz in Berks County, as well as their active involvement in giving back to the community.

This year's award will be presented to Wyomissing musician and music educator Chris Heslop prior to the USAF Satellite Jazz Ensemble, plus opening act Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band, Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Crowne Plaza Reading ballroom.

Heslop has been a tireless supporter of jazz education in Berks County. A graduate of Temple University with a degree in jazz studies with performance concentration, he has taught saxophone, clarinet, flute and more since 1991, and has participated in the Reading Musical Foundation's Jazz in the Schools program for seven years.

Brian Culbertson to host 'Live From The Inside' at Berks Jazz Fest

READING, PA The VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest is celebrating its 20th anniversary in a big way. Joining the celebration is longtime Berks Jazz Fest fan favorite Brian Culbertson, playing host for a special screening of his recently released CD/DVD "Brian Culbertson Live From the Inside."

This one-time-only screening is set for Friday, March 26, at 4 p.m. at the RC/Reading Movies 11 & IMAX theater at 30 N. Second St. in Reading. Following the screening, Brian and his father, Jim, will host a meet-and-greet with fans at the theater. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now at the theater and online at fandango.com. Seating is limited to 250 fans.

Playboy Jazz Festival Annouces Awesome Line-up!

written by The Jazz Gypsy

The Playboy Jazz Festival
(presented in cooperation with the L.A. Philharmonic Assoc.)

Saturday, June 12, 2010, 2:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Sunday, June 13, 2010, 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90068-2742

Tickets Available Now at Ticketmaster.com

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the world renowned Playboy Clubs where many jazz greats got their start. In keeping with that legacy, the 32nd annual Playboy Jazz Festival will present a world class lineup of talent featuring the highly anticipated debuts of emerging young artists, celebrated jazz icons and returning Festival favorites.

Among the headliners for the two day event are The Chick Corea Freedom Band, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer, Stax for Sax (Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber & Kirk Whalum), Marcus Miller, Les Mc Cann, Esperanza Spaulding, and one of my favorite world musicians', Salif Keta.

Bernard Alcorn - A New Day

Welcome to the latest issue of Denis Poole’s Secret Garden, the page that offers a personal perspective on the very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul. When, in 2000, Chicago guitar man Bernard Alcorn released the album Late Arrival the title could not have been more appropriate. Although he had been playing professionally for over 20 years his total commitment to music had been hampered by a parallel career as social worker and vocational rehabilitation counselor. Now, with his eye firmly on the musical ball, he is back with the extremely pleasing A New Day.

What We're Listening To ** February

J E F F * D A N I E L S

George Benson, Songs and Stories (Concord Records) (2009)

Najee, Mind Over Matter (Heads Up) (2009)

Peter White, Good Day (Peak Records) (2009)

Rick Braun, All It Takes (Artistry Music) (2009)

Andrew Neu, Try Something Neu (Nu Groove Records) (2009)

Osaru -- Home With the Keys

This is a good, melodic piece of work from Osaru, a multi-instrumentalist who plays everything on this, his sophomore release, Home With the Keys.

I have to admit that I have a few misgivings about the album, however. As nice as it is, it could have used a good, old fashioned human touch in the form of other live musicians accompanying Osaru on this project, in my opinion. I get it that this is supposed to be a keys/synth-based project, but there is a certain amount of monotony that distracts a bit from this otherwise fine album of really pleasant melodies and hooks.

Still, those melodies are strong enough to make it very difficult not to like this CD. Actually, the CD walks a fine line, in my opinion, between smooth jazz and new age.

Also, you may be able to say that the synth-induced sax has its good and its monotonous moments, but you cannot say that the tunes are, in and of themselves, unpleasant. Tender, with a certain sense of melancholy, the album puts you in the right place if that’s the mood where you find yourself at any given time.

Appealing tunes are not always funky, up-tempo, and in-your-face. Sometimes, a production like this is what’s needed to strike a good balance. As a balancer, Home With the Keys can certainly work.

Lynn Riley -- Too Cool

This debut CD from saxophonist/flutist Lynn Riley, Too Cool, is just that. A cool mix of delicious grooves, controlled funk, and smooth and traditional jazz influences, with a sultry swinging rhythm snaking its way throughout the album.

Lynn Riley is a Philadelphia, PA, native who has seen a large measure of success in the form of recognition via significant awards. Among them are an award from the Trane Stop Resource Institute for her contribution in preserving and promoting Afro-American Classical Music and an award from the National Association of Jazz Educators for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education.

On Too Cool, the traditional jazz influence meshes well with the subtle Caribbean touch, and the funk is as funk should be: bold and in your face. The tasteful and classy sax runs clearly denote one who knows how to milk the scale for all it’s worth and who is all too familiar with the nuances of good smooth jazz.

Bickley Rivera -- Chillin' After Five

Oh, the innovativeness of many smooth jazz artists. You’ve gotta love it! Here’s an artist whose vocals and keys skills might well have been enough to get her on the smooth jazz radar screen, but Bickley Rivera has taken it a step further and combined an abundance of tenor steel pan in a way that is quite interesting. Here on her debut CD, Chillin’ After Five, there’s not just a Caribbean flavor with the steel pan, but, as she puts it, she knew that “the steel pan had more to say than just Caribbean island notes…the instrument’s acceptance as a solo instrument has begun, and it’s time for fans to experience its full beauty.” Well, while there are noted steel pan artists (Andy Narell comes to mind), Rivera plans to ensure that the instrument gets its just due in this genre. This project is a good start.

With a little guest sax help from Praful and Ed Calle, along with comely melodies and hooks and a groove that just says “chill,” this new, attractive young artist shows us that she knows her way around not only the pans and keys but how to comfortably intermingle her style with the type of magnetic magic that has propelled other artists with a vision to produce a solo signature touch (e.g., Hardcastle and Soul Ballet’s Rick Kelly – though, obviously, with different styles).

Seabreeze Jazz Festival 2010

Seabreeze Jazz Festival to Add “Sizzle” To the Gulf Coast With A Stellar Weekend of Smooth Jazz Set For April 15-18th!

Jazz-lovers and sun-seekers across the nation are getting ready to “shake off those winter blues” --- with a remedy of white sands, beautiful water, and a dose of the best in smooth contemporary jazz. The coastal beach setting of Panama City Beach will “come alive” for the 2010 ResortQuest Seabreeze Jazz Festival, April 15th-18th at the Pier Park Amphitheater. Celebrating its 12th year on Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast, the event will provide an oasis for music lovers and a beach getaway for the entire family.

Known as the ULTIMATE weekend in smooth – The ResortQuest Seabreeze Jazz Festival has become synonymous with “fun in the sun” and top-notched national contemporary jazz entertainment, all inside the backdrop of beautiful white sand beaches, emerald green waters, with an abundance of activities for just about every taste in beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida.

Named as one of the "Top 10 Jazz Festivals in the USA" by Jazziz Magazine, The Seabreeze Jazz Festival marks its second year moving east from Destin to the vibrant new location of Pier Park in Panama City Beach. The combination of beautiful beaches, great shopping and dining at adjacent Pier Park, easy-access to an abundant offering of hotels and condos, coupled with a “killer list” of the top names in contemporary jazz—make Panama City Beach the place to be! And this year… the “vibe” is hot! Almost as hot as the music is “cool”!

AL DIMEOLA ROCKS GREEN VALLEY RANCH RESORT

Guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola rocked the Ovation room at Green Valley Ranch Resort on Saturday, February 20th. Di Meola has visited the Vegas valley before, but this was his debut at this particular resort, owned by Stations Casinos.

Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns will record live in the Tiffany Theater at the Tropicana Hotel on Monday, February 22nd. The band is booked every Monday through April.

The Lon Bronson band performs on Thursdays in the Ovation Room at Green Valley Ranch Resort with their brand of funk and R & B, similar to Tower Of Power. In fact, members of TOP are frequent guests sitting in from time to time.

Saxophonist Brandon Fields took a leave of duty from Barry Manilow's gig to perform at Frediani's on Saturday, with fellow group members Joe Melotti and Tony De Augustine. Fields had several albums in the '90s that made smooth and mainstream jazz airplay.

Chris Botti in Boston – 2009 Grammy Nominations, PBS Special & Tour

Text by Val Vaccaro

In December 2009, Chris Botti In Boston (Columbia Records/Sony Music) received three Grammy nominations for: 1) Best Pop Instrumental Album for the CD, 2) Best Long Form Music Video (Jim Gable - video director; Bobby Colomby - video producer, and 3) Best Instrumental Arrangement for the song “Emmanuel” (arranged by Jeremy Lubbock; performed by trumpeter Chris Botti and violinist Lucia Micarelli). Although these nominations did not win in their respective categories on January 31, 2010 during the Grammy Awards, the honor of being nominated was added to Chris Botti’s track record which includes two previous Grammy Awards and a prior Grammy nomination. (Note: In 1995, Botti produced the Brecker Brothers’ Out of the Loop album, which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance. In 2006, Chris Botti’s collaboration with Sting on the song “What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life” (from Botti’s CD To Love Again – The Duets) won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) (arranged by Billy Childs, Gil Goldstein and Heitor Pereira). In addition, Botti’s 2007 CD Italia was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album.)

Michael J Thomas - City Beat

Welcome to the latest issue of Denis Poole’s Secret Garden, the page that offers a personal perspective on the very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul. Raised in Cecilia, Kentucky and now domiciled in Destin, Florida, sax player Michael J Thomas may yet turn out to be the smooth jazz find of 2010. His debut CD, City Beat, which hits the streets on March 2, is a tremendously accomplished piece of work and, given that Thomas writes or co-writes all but one of ten choice tracks, proves also to be a wonderful showcase for his art. Thomas’s writing partner is guitarist Shannon Wallace who co- produces and performs with him throughout. Together, with a tight group of backing musicians, they deliver a tremendously commercial collection that has every prospect of doing very well.

The Party Starts Early for 20th Annual Berks Jazz Fest

The following information has been recently released from the Berks Arts Council.

READING, PA -- A 20th anniversary is certainly something to celebrate, and the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, is starting the party early, with a full schedule of events counting down to the biggest, best festival yet. Concerts, educational programs, films and jazz jams are just some of the events slated to celebrate the 20th annual Berks Jazz Fest.

Saturday, February 20, 8 p.m.
The Manhattan Transfer is performing a pre-festival concert at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. For more information and tickets, visit www.sovereigncenter.com.

Sunday, February 21, 4 p.m.
As part of their Downtown Performing Arts Series, the Miller Center for the Arts is presenting the Hot 8 Brass Band. The Miller Center is located on the Reading Area Community College campus in downtown Reading. Hot 8 is a New Orleans-based brass band that blends hip-hop, jazz and funk styles with traditional New Orleans brass sounds. For more on this concert, visit www.racc.edu/MillerCenter/events.html.

Sunday, February 28, 5 p.m.
Anyone seeking spiritual enlightenment can get his or her fill at the Gospel Jubilee at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in West Lawn. Featured are the mass choir, youth choir and local musicians. Good-will offering. For more information visit: www.gtaog.org/.

Terje Lie - Urban Vacation

Welcome to the latest issue of Denis Poole’s Secret Garden, the page that offers a personal perspective on the very best from the world of smooth jazz and classic soul. Norwegian born saxophonist Terje Lie first came into prominence in 2007 with his debut release Traveler. The title seemed to authenticate his relocation to the contemporary jazz friendly confines of southern California and the album quickly established his credentials as a ‘serious’ musician. Lie’s latest release, Urban Vacation, that is due to hit record stores on February 16, does nothing to tarnish that reputation but, with the input of Yellowjackets mainstay Jimmy Haslip and the ubiquitous Jeff Lorber, has resulted in a collection that is by far his most commercially appealing to date.