Keyboardist Brian Culbertson had an all-new band and a complete new show promoting his current CD Bringing Back The Funk, which was produced by former EWF front man Maurice White and features many funk legends like Larry Dunn, Larry Graham and more. Brian always had a love for old-school funk and now dedicates a whole album to it. He appeared at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and I guess that this was one of their very first shows, Brian has assembled a veritable funk machine, the stage was crowded by a four-piece horn section, drums, bass, an extra keyboardist with a hammond B3, two guitar players (one of them being Sheldon Reynolds who played with EWF for 15 years), plus a saxophone player who took care of all the solos. They were delivering some hammering funk which at times was almost a little overwhelming, they were rushing through funk history with nods to Kool & the Gang, some P-Funk, Parliament/Funkadelic etc., especially nice was their rendition of Donny Hathaway's "Everything Is Everything" (showing that Brian knows his stuff). Those who love the back catalog of this artist got their share too, he played some beautiful slower tracks showing his considerable skills on the piano, additionally he played the trombone (funking up things) and the bass, where he was slapping along. At the end we got the expected funk finale which blew the audience virtually away. This wrapped up this year's Berks Jazz Festival up nicely, having me say to myself: I will be back next year!
Sunday afternoon there was another special concert, tagged as WJJZ Smooth Jazz 97.5 Appreciation Concert featuring Chuck Loeb with special guests, we got Eric Marienthal and Tom Scott on saxes, Will Lee on bass, Carmen Cuesta on vocals, Matt King on keyboards, Cafe on percussion and Cliff Almond on drums. The show was centered around a laid-back brazil vibe and started out with a few gentle bossa nova tracks with Chuck Loeb playing beautifully on acoustic guitar and his wife Carmen Cuesta on vocals, the gave us their renditions of classics like "Manha De Carnaval", "How Insensitive" and more from composers like Tom Jobin, Luiz Bonfa and others. Additionally they played some of Carmen Cuesta own material, before she left the stage to make room for some groovier playing.
Eric Marienthal was playing sax and flute during the first part of the show before he had to leave (he was also scheduled this afternoon to appear with the Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band), so his part was taken over by the legendary Tom Scott who joined the stage to give a nice sax battle with Eric before he went off. Tom Scott played a self-composed, yet unrecorded tribute song to Grover and then "Jive Samba", a track from his current CD Cannon Re-Loaded, a tribute album to his hero Cannonball Adderley. His warm sound and flawless, soulful playing was just great, his music is like an old friend to me that has accompanied me through my life.
Another nice song was Chuck Loeb's "The Music Inside", one of my all-time favorites from Chuck's vast catalog of music. The guitarist was in a good mood and delivered some great solos. The band was top-notch, especially pianist Matt King delivered some beautiful solos, while Will Lee on bass and Cliff Almond on drums laid the solid foundation. This was an excellent concert, I really liked the gentle bossa tunes, they provided a nice change of pace and highlighted another field of music worth listening to, also kudos to Carmen Cuesta who was a special addition to the show.
As an added goodie we got an unofficial - but extremely well attended - late night jam session which started at midnight at the Jazz Base, it featured Philippe Saisse on piano, Eric Valentine on drums, Gerald Veasley on bass, plus Jeff Golub on guitar, Rick Braun on trumpet, Jessy J and Tom Scott on saxes. Unfortunately I just caught the last song they played, it was "Pick Up The Pieces" giving each one in the band some solo space. That's what jazz is all about, getting together and jamming just for fun!
At 10:30pm a new, very interesting project named Global Noize by keyboardist Jason Miles and DJ Logic was scheduled at the Sheraton. Not only the music, but also the lineup showed a lot of diversity. Next to the two leaders who were at each end in front of the stage, they had soloists Christian Scott on trumpet, Jeff Cofin on saxophone and flute, Tom Scott on saxophone, Brian Dunne on drums, Jerry Brooks and special guest Me'Shell Ndegeocello on basses, Cafe on percussion and funk master Bernie Worrell on organ. Additionally they had World Fusion Dancers Azhia and Dellaneira dancing in the middle of the stage plus Indian singer Falu bringing a great world element to the table. I was pleasantly surprised by this show, the grooves were cool and provided a suitable backdrop for these great players to show their chops, especially Jeff Cofin and Christian Scott delivered several great solos. I was a bit afraid that the world element would dominate, but in the end it was jazz with a world flavor that did not distract, instead complemented the whole thing nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this concert and considered this project to be another winner from Jason Miles, the Global Noize CD should be in stores soon.
In the evening "Guitars & Saxes" were due at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. This year, they appeared with a new lineup and new program. Main players were Peter White on acoustic guitar, Jeff Golub on guitar, Gerald Albright on saxophone and Jeff Lorber on keyboards. They had newcomer Jessy J in a supporting role on sax, flute, keyboards and percussion, additionally she provided some welcome eye-candy. On drums was Eric Valentine and on bass Smitty Smith, laying the solid foundation for the artists out front. All artists were drawing material from their vast catalogs, it was very interesting to see that they tried to break free from their smooth jazz routine incorporating new things, most notably were the two tracks from Jeff Lorber, one hard-hitting fusion track from his period as the Jeff Lorber Fusion and a straight-ahead track from his last CD He Had A Had. Great also was Jeff Golub's "Naked City", where he pulled all the stops creating a great live-feeling. Peter White still is the darling of the crowd, his "Bueno Funk" always brings the house down, and his rendition of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" shows where he is coming from. Gerald Albright displayed his clean and slick playing with songs like "My, My, My" and "Georgia On My Mind", always being a favorite of the show. The lovely Jessy J, who just released her debut CD Tequila Moon, played a few sax parts, but never really was featured, but nevertheless proved to be a nice addition to the show. They played almost for two and half hours, ending with the AWB classic "Cut The Cake" - yes, they still can cut it!
Saturday afternoon the double bill of keyboardist Alex Bugnon, followed by sax player Euge Groove, was scheduled at the Sheraton. I was glad to see Alex Bugnon getting the opportunity for a full length show and the artist really seemed to appreciate this, as did his fans in the crowd. Alex hails from the French speaking part of Switzerland and moved to the US to follow his music career which yielded many successful albums over the years. His band consisted of Victor Bailey on bass, Vincent Henry on reeds and guitar plus a drummer. He played a wide selection of songs ranging from "This Time Around" to his hit, the cover of Brenda Russel's "Piano In The Dark" to "107° In The Shade", the Ohio Players' "Sweet Sticky Thing" and others. His band was top-notch, especially Victor Bailey - who was a member of Weather Report - stood out and Vincent Henry with his sax and flute playing, he blew me especially away with his harmonica playing, an unusual element that worked very well. Alex played his keys in his own soulful style, often breaking it down to build it up again. The only thing that prevented me from enjoying this concert fully was the distorted sound of his keyboards, causing them to drown in the mix, I considered this to be very unprofessional and distracting. Anyway, the crowd did seem to like the performance of Alex Bugnon nevertheless.
After a short intermission saxophonist Euge Groove was on, he was backed by a super tight band of younger players that grooved like hell, as did the leader on his instrument. He soon had the crowd grooving along, additionally cheering them up with his shouts and antics on stage. He played several tracks from his latest CD Born To Groove. To keep things going he gave a away a free t-shirt to the sexiest dancer and had a crowd of women dancing in front of the stage, later he did a stroll through the audience raising the heat. He also slowed it down nicely with a couple of romantic instrumentals, showing his chops on the sax. I really enjoyed this professional show full of great tracks, and especially the band that played on the highest level, most notably the drummer who just was a monster player. Yeah, we all could feel the funk!
Friday night trumpet player Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot appeared at the Scottish Rite Cathedral delivering their tried and tested formula of groovy smooth jazz, they have honed an excellent show over the years and those two veteran artists play together like a well-oiled machine. They were promoting their latest album RnR and were backed by the same band they had on the record, they were Ricky Lawson on drums, Nate Phillips on bass, Ron Reinhardt on keyboards and Dwight Sills on guitar. Rick Braun and Richard Elliot delivered their unique brand of music feeding off of each other creating quite some heat, both are tremendous players and seemed to have a lot of fun. Among the material played was Luther's "Your Secret Love", the Stylistics' "People Make The World Go Round" and "Gazing In The Grass", plus a batch of their own compositions like "Notorious" and tracks from RnR. Both Rick Braun and Richard Elliot did their strolls into the audience to the delight of the capacity crowd. They left the audience in a happy party mood and witnessing these guys play is always very entertaining.
At the Sheraton hotel Candy Dulfer was scheduled for a late night show. She looked georgeous in her mini skirt and long blond hair, and boy, that lady can blow! She started her show slowly with some heartfelt smooth jazz playing, among the songs was "Everytime", one of my favorite tracks off her current Candy Store CD, which she brought to a great climax. Most notably was an extended guitar solo by her guitar player and musical partner Ulco Bed that built and built and didn't let go putting me into a state of bliss. Her band was super tight, another notable player was keyboardist and singer Chance Howard, who was a great part of the proceedings on stage, his playing and singing complemented the saxophone of Candy very well, escpecially cool was their rendition of D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar". The pace of the show picked up continuously and soon we were in a party mood with tracks like the Prince penned "Life Of The Party" and others that had a decidedly club feel. Over parts of the show, the band was really jamming with extended solos, bringing back elements that often were lacking in other shows. At the end of the show the crowd was on its feet to funky tracks like "Pick Up The Pieces" and others. I was deeply impressed by this very entertaining, very professional show and the level of musicianship by all involved. This one was definitely one of the very best shows of the whole festival.
Thursday evening we were in for another treat by the double bill of keyboardist Brian Simpson and guitarist extraordinaire Nick Colionne at the ballroom of the Abraham Lincoln hotel. The show was opened by Brian Simpson who had his portable keyboards strung around his neck and moved into the audience more than once during his performance. He was supported by Dwight Sills on guitar plus the bassist and drummer from Nick Colionne's band. During his 30 minutes warming-up set he performed several of his signature tunes, among them his biggest hit "It's All Good" that went down very well with the crowd, proving his superior artistry. Too bad he had to leave so early, but this was the contract as he said, people certainly would have enjoyed to hear him playing longer.
After a short intermission it was Nick Colionne's turn who wore a light grey suit with hat, looking as gorgeous as usual, backed by two keyboards, drums and bass (Dave Hilterbrand), displaying his tremendous skills on guitar. He is such a powerful performer and had the crowd soon in the palm of his hand. With a new CD entitled No Limits on Koch Records soon coming up, he delivered a few songs from this album, most notably the song "Melting Into You" that simply was mesmerizing and surely is destined to become a hit, the song evoked some strong and enthusiastic responses from the audience. Additionally he sang "Rainy Night In Georgia", a song that fits perfectly to his deep voice and gave me goose-bumps. His guitar playing was great and I am impressed each time I hear him by his level of artistry, Nick really is a bad dude! His joking remarks in between songs created quite a few laughs in the audience and he didn't mind to directly react to comments from the audience, Nick is just the consummate entertainer. He too did a lengthy stroll in the audience to the delight of his many fans, bringing his trademark guitar playing right to them. This was another outstanding performance by Nick, his concerts are always a memorable experience.
Wednesday evening the pace of the festival started to pick up again with the performance of saxophone great Bill Evans and his Soulgrass project trying to fuse jazz and bluegrass. The concert was held at the ballroom of the Abraham Lincoln hotel. His band consisted of Joel Rosenblatt on drums, Christian Howes on violin, Sam Bush on mandolin, Ryan Cavanaugh on banjo and a bass player whose name I didn't catch. Bill Evans seems to have a lot of fun with this music which leaned heavily on the bluegrass side, the jazz elements were just scattered across the music but unfortunately were not too prevalent. For the most part, I felt like being at a country & western concert, desperately seeking the jazz element. At least we got a few nice solos by all involved and the level of artistry nevertheless had to be recognized, I enjoyed in particular Sam Bush's distorted solos on the electric mandolin and Christian Howes plucking his amplified electric violin like a rock guitar. But the artist I came to see in the first place, Bill Evans, was just in a happy hillbilly mood which couldn't quench my thirst for jazz.
Sunday evening we were in for a treat - the hard working Jason Miles brought one of his star-studded projects to us, it was the Celebrating the Music & Life of Grover Washington Jr.: "To Grover With Love" event which was held at the sold-out Sovereign Performing Arts Centre. The band consisted of players who were part of Grover's career, most notably Buddy Williams on drums, Ralph MacDonald on percussion (who wrote and produced many classic Grover tracks), Will Lee on bass, Chuck Loeb on guitar plus leader Jason Miles on keyboards. They started the show with "East River Drive" featuring Chuck Loeb on guitar, soon it was time for the first guest, saxophonist Walter Beasley, followed by Kim Waters and Everette Harp on saxophones, among the songs played was "Let It Flow" and Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" (which was a straight jazz track that Grover covered as well at one point in his career).
Then Bobby Lyle joined the band on grand piano, delivering one of the highlights of the show together with singer Phil Perry who sang a truly heartfelt version of "Love Me Still" in his inimitable style. World-class artistry in the true sense of the word. But the bar was raised one notch when living legend Patti LaBelle came to the stage, looking stunningly great for a woman in her 60ies. She shared some of her memories about Grover before delivering "The Best Is Yet To Come" and "You Are My Prayer", supported by her musical director John Stanley on piano. Despite some slight vocal problems (unfortunatley she caught a cold that day), she gave her all and touched the hearts of the audience, kicking off her shoes and falling on her knees at the end of her performance, proving to be a consummate artist delivering under any circumstances. Singer Maysa is another Berks favorite - she was part of the Soul Summit event last year - delivering a beautiful rendition of "The Look Of Love" culminating in some heavy scat improvising at the end, supported by Chuck Loeb's guitar plus a mellow vocal version of "Mr. Magic". Another highlight for me was Everette Harp's rendition of "Black Frost", a track from Grover's CTI days. Present in the audience was Grover's family giving this whole event a personal Philly touch.
I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate the work of Jason Miles making these events possible, not only by bringing together this incredible bunch of artists, but also to recognize the legacy of an artist like Grover Washington Jr, who is one of the artists having ignited my life-long love for jazz.
PS: Good news - this summer Vol. 2 of "To Grover With Love" will be released.
Sunday afternoon the Smooth Jazz 92.7 Fan Appreciation Concert was due. The first 90 minutes belonged to saxophonist Eric Darius who started the concert with a bang, accompanied by a young band of players, he appeared playing from the audience, looking super cool with his sunglasses and hip outfit, emanating energy and fun. He belongs to the new generation of smooth jazz instrumentalists and delivered a high-engergy set full of great sax playing and cool grooves. Songs played were mostly from his last CD Just Getting Started from 2006, among them was his radio hit "Steppin' Up", plus covers like "Love TKO" and "Let's Stay Together". He also broke it down nicely with some heartfelt slow songs showing his considerable skills on his instrument. He and his band gave their all leaving us in a blissful state.
PS: A new Eric Darius CD is scheduled for release in June 2008.
After an intermission the groove and mood changed completely, the next concert centered around the three guitar players Kenny Rankin, Paul Brown and Marc Antoine, they were supported by a stellar band consisting of Philippe Saisse on keyboards, Ricky Lawson on drums and Roberto Valli on bass. The concert was very laid-back and easy on the ear, like a breath of fresh air, and definitely one of the positive surprises of the festival. They started with "Mas Que Nada", then Kenny Rankin - who is mainly a singer/songwriter - did one of his songs, then it was back to Paul Brown and Marc Antoine for some great guitar playing, among the songs played was "Spooky", a favorite of mine, and Grover's "Winelight", which funked things up. Paul Brown sang "The City" (a classic by Mark Almond) and "Listen To The Music" (another great one from the Doobie Brothers), some intelligent cover choices that complemented the style of these artists very well. Kenny Ranking sang "Blackbird" and evoked some Brazilian vibes with "Berimbau". This concert was an unexpected highlight and a joy from beginning to end.
by Beverly J. Packard
Richard Smith on guitar. Greg Adams on trumpet. Brian Bromberg on bass. Michael Paulo on saxophone. Gregg Karukas on keyboard. Joel Taylor on drums. Berks Jazz Fest Horns on trombone, sax and trumpet. Put them all together and what do you have? A new band, never before to have played at the Berks Jazz Festival. Yes, the players are all familiar names. And the sound of the band's music is enhanced by each member’s earlier performances and CD’s. But this band proved, as the saying goes, that the sum is greater than its parts.
What an awesome afternoon of music Berks fans were treated to on Saturday, Day 2 of the Berks Jazz Festival. My first impression when seeing their name on the list of shows back in November was that it was a great combination of players for a one-time show. Now I’ve learned that LA Chillharmonic is more than that – it’s a concept for a brand new band, Richard Smith’s brainchild, and it’s sure to leave its mark on the jazz scene. So Berks now has the distinction of being the site of the very first performance of LA Chillharmonic.
Jazz fans love jazz jams, be they totally impromptu or planned out ahead of time or somewhere in between. This show reminded me of a great all-star jam session and that’s why it was so exciting. It was a party and I’m sure many of us wanted to just stand on our chairs and dance the afternoon away along with the band. Even the word ‘chillharmonic’ is quite appropriate for these artists, all of whom are relaxed and fun players. Of course we know they practice diligently, especially Brian Bromberg, who has practiced ‘all his life’ (inside joke you will understand only if you were in attendance) -- still, these players seem to effortlessly communicate to us their own ability to 'chill.' The result is an audience who can also manage to tune out the cares of the day and escape into the music, a place where jazz fans love to be.
The songs were a wonderful mix of original numbers, numbers that featured each artist and came from some of their former CD’s, and covers of people like Herbie Hancock, Sade, Earth, Wind and Fire, etc. The title track from the CD coming out in August, entitled LA Chillharmonic, should move up the charts with no trouble. The music was upbeat, funky, with great intros, transitions from one player to another, and memorable endings. The arrangements, credited to Greg Adams, were superbly crafted.
Greg Adams played a great rendition of Sade’s 'Smooth Operator' from his earlier CD. Also included was Herbie Hancock's Canteloupe Island. Earth, Wind, and Fire songs which had been previously recorded were played, to the crowd’s delight. ('Sing a Song', Richard Smith’s Soulidify), ('That's the Way of the World,' from Michael Paulo’s CD My Heart and Soul) and ('September', Brian Bromberg's You Know That Feeling ) The Crusaders 'Put It Where You Want It' was played during the encore after a rousing petition by the audience for the band to return to center stage after their last song.
So who are these players, really? Richard Smith, professor of guitar at University of Southern California who travels to Europe regularly to teach and play, mainly in Sicily, Crete, Korfu and Southern Italy. Ask him if he's Italian; he has a lot of great experiences to relate! Greg Adams, former 25 year member of Tower of Power, a veteran player who brings a lot of wisdom and has done a number of his own CD's. Brian Bromberg, who is fast becoming a Berks Jazz Fest 'staple' and is just an amazing, amazing bass player (both guitar and upright). Brian would drive for 12 hours in a snowstorm to get to Berks, just ask him. Gregg Karukas, who has quite a spunky and fun personality to complement his awesome talent. Joel Taylor was the drummer extraordinaire.
As for the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Michael Anderson on saxophone, Rob Diener on trumpet, and John Loos on trombone, these three are becoming more and more in demand during the festival. They've been doing a great job of adding even more depth to the performances of a number of bands.
LA Chillharmonic will debut with their first CD in August on Artistry Records. Everything is just beginning for this awesome group of players who are sure to find success in offering something a little different for the jazz audience. It will be exciting to see in what directions this new concept takes them. I would encourage you to catch up with them when you have the opportunity!
Happy Jazzin',
Beverly J. Packard
Jazz Circle Member of the Berks Arts Council
Reading, PA
MyGirlSunday22@aol.com
Bassist Gerald Veasley and the WJJZ All-Stars provided the late night show which was broadcasted live by WFMZ TV, the amiable bass player had his band with him (among them saxophonist Chris Farr) plus a string of friends to follow later. They opened the show with several tracks from their brand new CD Your Move which went down very well with the audience. Soon he added his first guest, guitar player Chuck Loeb, to the stage who was instrumental in this album, Chuck displayed his usual spirited playing and was a crowd pleaser, especially with his own composition "The Music Inside", the title track from this album from 1996, that evoked a few shouts of appreciation.
Then Bobby Lyle came to the stage to give us some great piano playing, he contributed his version of "Minute By Minute" and some mind-boggling soloing on the keys. Then it was time for crowd-pleaser Rick Braun and his jazzy trumpet playing, during his own "Cadillac Slim" he did a stroll through the audience, followed by Chris Farr on sax, raising the bar one notch. Overall the vibe was relaxed and the band took their time, later Gerald Veasley played "Forever", a hommage to his wife, just accompanied by drums and keys, a signature song of his which is always a highlight of his concerts, plus a rousing rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Do I Do". The show lasted well past midnight, the two hours flew by and left a very satisfied audience.
Trumpet player Chris Botti played at the Sovereign Performing Arts Centre Saturday evening, the concert was sold-out and expectations were running high. The leader was accompanied by a stellar group of players, he had Mark Whitfield on guitar, the outstanding Billy Kilson on drums, Robert Hurst on acoustic and electric bass and Peter Martin on piano and keyboards with him. He opened his show with "Ave Maria" which soon changed into a twisted funky groove with mind-boggling interplay between the guitar of Mark Whitfield and the complex drumming of Billy Kilson. The material on display ranged from opera ("Caruso") to Leonard Cohen compositions but no matter what source the music came from, it always kept a tremendous tension, oszillating between the introspective and the expressive, yielding a music experience that just was out of this world. The band provided some serious jazz, the interplay between these world-class players was a joy to hear and watch. The icing on the cake was singer Sy Smith with her crystal clear voice and great jazz phrasing who delivered a few songs. This show was a true highlight and the best concert at the festival so far. Chris Botti is in a class of his own and witnessing him and his band live is always great.
The Berks Jazz Fest 2008 started Friday evening with a concert by bassist Brian Bromberg which was held in the intimate Jazz Base, the jazz club at the Sheraton in Reading. I attended the first of two sets. Brian was in a great mood and ready to play, he had his array of basses with him and delivered a broad range of songs, among them Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" which appeared on his latest album Downright Upright, followed by smooth jazz tracks from his release Desire featuring saxophonist Gary Meek, another highlight was a tune from his Japan-only release In Spirit Of Jobim, an album done with a full orchestra that still awaits its release in the US. The other band members were Tom Zinc on keyboards, Joel Taylor on drums, Larry Antonino on bass (which made sense because Brian Bromberg focussed on soloing with higher tuned bass instruments). Speaking of instruments, Brian Bromberg played his 300 year old acoustic bass, a semi-acoustic piccolo bass guitar, and several electric basses, displaying stunning artistry with his double-tapping technique and spirited soloing. The band was in fine form yielding a top-notch concert and a worthy opener of the festival.
I headed over to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel where the Kenny Blake Quartet was scheduled to appear in the L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret. Despite the fact the Kenny Blake hasn't released an album for a while his name is still held in high esteem and his music is warmly appreciated. He played two sets with his band, he had piano, bass and drums plus a singer who delivered a few songs, some leaning towards pop, but he quickly made up for it with some great instrumentals which made me wonder why he is not more at the forefront of today's music scene. At the end of the concerts the band created quite some heat with their renditions of Herbie's "Cantaloupe Island" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", even Sade's "Smooth Operator" - which has been played to death by various smooth jazz radio stations - created a highlight of the concert. Let's hope that we hear more of this great saxophone player in the future.
World premiere of Miles' Global Noize promises to get crowd moving at the VF
Outlet Berks Jazz Fest
READING, PA -- March 24 -- Over the past few years, keyboardist/producer
Jason Miles has produced and performed in numerous star-studded shows at the
VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest that pay homage to great icons in the jazz and R&B
worlds, including Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and this year, Grover
Washington Jr. In 2007, he also tapped into the era of the greatest soul
songs of all time with the powerful collective Soul Summit.
For the world premiere of his latest project and CD, Global Noize, he joined
up with the versatile hip-hop and jazz turntablist DJ Logic.
The mission of Global Noize is about more than bringing great music to the
audience.
The show is Saturday, April 5 at 10:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Reading Hotel.
Tickets are $39 and $34.
The 18th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts
Council, runs March 28 through April 6 and offers fans a wide array of
musical styles, including contemporary and traditional jazz, blues, big band
and gospel. Shows are held at major venues, clubs and restaurants throughout
Reading and Berks County, making it a truly unique festival.
"We know how the world is these days," Miles said. "People don't hate each
other; governments hate each other. We are trying to bring everyone
together."
Global Noize is a melding of sounds from all corners of the globe -- artists
from India, Brazil, France and other parts of the world have come together
for the project.
It's truly a global effort," Miles said. "We want to make some noise, but a
hip kind of noise."
Joining Miles and DJ Logic for the show will be Christian Scott, Jeff
Coffin, Bernie Worrell, Cafe, Brian Dunne, Carl Burnett, Jerry Brooks and
Falu, plus World Fusion Dancers Azhia and Dellaneira.
Miles added even more star power with very special guest Me'Shell
Ndegeocello, a singer and bassist who performed with John Mellencamp on his
hit single "Wild Night." Hailed by some as a redeemer of soul music,
Ndegeocello has had some cult hits of her own, including "If That's Your
Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)," from her 1993 debut release Plantation
Lullabies, an album that earned her three Grammy nominations.
Her eighth and latest album,The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams, was released last year.
Bernie Worrell is a master keyboardist known for his work with Parliament
Funkadelic and Talking Heads. Most recently, Brian Dunne has been touring
with the Average White Band (and just finished their most recent recording),
Chuck Loeb's Band and Sara Devine.
Cafe is a Brazilian percussion master. Jeff Coffin is the sax player for
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Christian Scott is a hot up and coming
trumpet star from New Orleans who has earned two Grammy nominations and
released his second Concord Records disc Anthem in 2007. Carl Burnett is the
guitarist from Branford Marsalis' old group Buckshot LeFonque and Down To
The Bone. Falu is an amazing, emerging singer from India.
The project came about in a very unusual way. While in Morocco for his Marvin Gaye tribute, he, along with his wife,Cathy, and DJ Logic went on to Marrakesh. Out of this unique, transforming experience came the real inspiration for the project, and the Global Noize CD, which will be released April 29.
Featured on the album are Meshell Ndegeocello, Billy Martin, Vernon Reid,
John Popper, Cyro Baptista, Bernie Worrell, Karl Denson and more.
"Even though this is a late show, we guarantee nobody will be falling
asleep," Miles said. "This is music to move to. If people want to dance, we
welcome that."
Other featured artists and shows at this year's festival include the return
of the ever-popular Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Peter White,
Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber; jazz guitar great Pat Martino; blues legend
Buddy Guy; master guitarist Chuck Loeb; saxophonist Eric Marienthal; alto
saxophonist Candy Dulfer; the gifted and charismatic trumpeter Chris Botti;
guitarist Paul Brown, vocalist Kenny Rankin, fellow guitarist Marc Antoine
and saxman Eric Darius; Berks favorite and keyboardist Brian Culbertson;
trumpet great Rick Braun and saxman Richard Elliot; and guitarist Nick
Colionne with keyboardist Brian Simpson.
Additional marquee artists include popular keyboardist and vocalist Joe
McBride; the Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with special
guest, reed player Paquito D'Rivera; saxman Euge Groove and keyboardist Alex
Bugnon; violinist Regina Carter in a quintet; the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project,
high-energy jazz dance performers; New York's Finest Jazz Band, an 18-member
group performing jazz and pop standards; Sherrie Maricle and the all-female
DIVA Jazz Orchestra; Simone, daughter of legendary singer Nina Simone, the
Rob Stoneback Big Band; the return of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band; and
the considerable blues talents of Maria Muldaur, Bonerama, the Clarence
Spady Band, Campbell Brothers and Eric Bibb.
Jason Miles is bringing another special ensemble show to the Berks Jazz
Fest. Miles and an all-star roster will be Celebrating the Life & Music of
Grover Washington Jr., the late legendary saxman. The show, To Grover with
Love, brings together some of the top names in the business, including Patti
LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck
Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams and Ralph MacDonald.
To order tickets:
Visit the Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading
Visit the Sovereign Performing Arts Center Box Office, 136 N. Sixth St.,
Reading
Call Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or visit
www.ticketmaster.com.
Order online at berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the festival, including artist bios and archived
releases, click on
For more information on the Berks Arts Council, a nonprofit organization
that promotes all the arts in an effort to enrich the quality of life in
Berks County, click on
Major Ticketed Events
Thursday, March 27 -- Berks Jazz Fest Kickoff Concert: Andrew Neu Group
featuring the Bright & Tight Horns, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $10.
Friday, March 28 -- Brian Bromberg Band, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base,
Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Friday, March 28 -- An Evening with Nancy Wilson, Sovereign Performing Arts
Center, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, March 28 -- Buddy Guy, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $40
and $35
Friday, March 28 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- LA Chillharmonic featuring Brian Bromberg, Richard
Smith, Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas, Greg Adams plus the Berks Jazz Fest
Horns, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, March 29 -- Simone and the Rob Stoneback Big Band, Gerald
Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Saturday, March 29 -- Chris Botti, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7:30
p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, March 29 -- Jump Rhythm Dance Project, Miller Center for the Arts,
8 p.m., $20
Saturday, March 29 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- Gerald Veasley and the WJJZ All-Stars Rick Braun,
Bobby Lyle, Chuck Loeb, Chris Farr and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, Miller Center, 1:30 p.m., no
charge
Sunday, March 30 -- Paul Brown's Guitar Night featuring Kenny Rankin and
Marc Antoine plus saxophonist Eric Darius, Sheraton Reading Hotel Ballroom,
2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Sweet Honey in the Rock, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 3
p.m., $45, $35, $25
Sunday, March 30 -- Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr. --
To Grover with Love: Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim
Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams, Ralph
MacDonald, and musical director Jason Miles, Sovereign Performing Arts
Center, 7 p.m., $49 and $43
Monday, March 31 -- Michael Manring & David Cullen, Gerald Veasley's Jazz
Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Tuesday, April 1 -- New York's Finest Jazz Band, Sheraton Reading Hotel,
7:30 p.m., $15
Wednesday, April 2 -- Bill Evans' Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- MusicReport with special guests Lynn Riley and Aaron
Graves, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Thursday, April 3 -- Nick Colionne with special guest Brian Simpson, Abraham
Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- Berks All-Star Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Chuck
Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Richard Elliot, Nick Colionne, Brian Bromberg, Pat
Martino, Joe McBride, Brian Simpson, Ricky Lawson, Andrew Neu and more,
Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $35
Friday, April 4 -- Pat Martino Quartet, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Friday, April 4 -- The Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with
special guest Paquito D'Rivera, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m.,
$32
Friday, April 4 -- Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, Scottish Rite Cathedral,
7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, April 4 -- New Orleans Funky Friday: Maria Muldaur and Bonerama, Inn
at Reading, 7:30 p.m., $32
Friday, April 4 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham
Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Friday, April 4 -- Candy Dulfer, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30
p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Euge Groove plus Alex Bugnon, Sheraton Reading Hotel
ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Abraham
Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $28
Saturday, April 5 -- Tribute to Chet Baker: Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley's
Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Saturday, April 5 -- Guitars & Saxes featuring Peter White, Gerald Albright,
Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, April 5 -- Clarence Spady Band plus Campbell Brothers plus Eric
Bibb, Inn at Reading, 7 p.m., $37
Saturday, April 5 -- Regina Carter Quintet, Miller Center for the Arts, 7:30
p.m., $38
Saturday, April 5 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, April 5 -- World Premiere: Jason Miles/DJ Logic Global Noize
featuring Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Christian Scott, Jeff Coffin, Bernie
Worrell, Café, Brian Dunne, Carl Burnett, Jerry Brooks and Falu, plus World
Fusion Dancers Azhia and Dellaneira, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30
p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Chuck Loeb with special guests Eric Marienthal, Tom
Scott, Will Lee, Carmen Cuesta, Lizzy Loeb, Rob Mounsey, Cafe, Cliff Almond
and more, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Brian Culbertson, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47
and $41
CONTACT:
Dana Hoffman
Co-Publicity Director
VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest
610-236-4744
610-371-5146 fax
dhoffman@readingeagle.com
or
Catherine Catanach, APR
Director of Development and Marketing
Berks Arts Council
5th fl., GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
Reading, PA
ph. 610-898-1930
www.berksarts.org
www.berksjazzfest.com
Latest release regarding the Berks Jazz Fest!
READING, PA -- January 29 -- The VF Outlet Berks Jazz fest is notable for its diversity of music and its innovative concepts.
That twin tradition will be emphatically upheld on Wednesday, April 2, when Jazz Meets Bluegrass: Bill Evans' Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom at 7:30 p.m.
Jazz saxophonist Bill Evans has had a distinguished career as a solo artist, one whose first full-time gig was a berth with the Miles Davis Band. But over the years he has explored a variety of such musical settings as hip-hop, fusion, reggae, Brazilian and slamming funk. He stepped into more adventurous territory with his 2006 release Soulgrass, collaborating on the project with numerous jazz fusion all-stars as well as famed bluegrass vocalist and mandolin master Sam Bush.
Now Evans and Bush are teaming up at the Berks Jazz Fest.
The 18th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, runs March 28 through April 6 and offers fans a wide array of musical styles, including contemporary and traditional jazz, blues, big band and gospel. Shows are held at major venues, clubs and restaurants throughout Reading and Berks County, making it a truly unique festival.
Getting back to Evans and Bush, the question is what happens musically when
hipster marries hayseed?
"You get a marriage that really works," Evans says. "Jazz may be more intellectual, but the lines and rhythms can be exactly the same as bluegrass, and both are about improvisation."
Rounding the Soulgrass bluegrass-jazz fusion band at the festival will be banjo phenom Ryan Cavanaugh, fiddler/violinist Christian Howes, bassist Mark Egan and drummer Joel Rosenblatt.
It's a nervy merging of genres. While progressive bluegrassers have been experimenting with swing jazz elements for years, Evans is the first overtly modern jazz bandleader to move in a bluegrass direction. In 2006, Evans' Soulgrass album received a Grammy nomination in the contemporary jazz category.
"I can't afford to rest on my laurels with this band," said Evans, who has played with Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Mick Jagger and Willie Nelson when not touring extensively with his own band. "Nobody knows me on the grassroots scene. We have the best players, and a fresh musical vision. We cover all the bases, which I have to do to gain a new audience."
Everybody knows Sam Bush on the grassroots scene. Besides vocals and mandolin, he is a capable guitar and fiddle player. He was a founding member of the New Grass Revival and has been called a modern-day Bill Monroe. He is known as one of the liveliest performers at bluegrass festivals and released his first live concert DVD On The Road in 2007.
"The real definition of jazz is about growth, innovation and moving forward," Evans said. "So a hybrid like this is the essence of jazz."
And it's happening on April 2nd at the Berks Jazz Fest. Don't miss it!
Other featured artists at this year's festival include the return of the ever-popular Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber; jazz guitar great Pat Martino; blues legend Buddy Guy; master guitarist Chuck Loeb; saxophonist Eric Marienthal; alto saxophonist Candy Dulfer; the gifted and charismatic trumpeter Chris Botti; guitarist Paul Brown, vocalist Kenny Rankin, fellow guitarist Marc Antoine
and saxman Eric Darius; Berks favorite and keyboardist Brian Culbertson; trumpet great Rick Braun and saxman Richard Elliot; guitarist Nick Colionne with keyboardist Brian Simpson; and versatile bassist Brian Bromberg.
Additional marquee artists include popular keyboardist and vocalist Joe McBride; the Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with special guest, reed player Paquito D'Rivera; saxman Euge Groove and keyboardist Alex Bugnon; violinist Regina Carter in a quintet; the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, high-energy jazz dance performers; New York's Finest Jazz Band, an 18-member group performing jazz and pop standards; Kennedy Center presents Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, featuring young emerging artists; Sherrie Maricle and the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra; Simone, daughter of legendary singer
Nina Simone, the Rob Stoneback Big Band; the return of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band; and the considerable blues talents of Maria Muldaur, Bonerama, the Clarence Spady Band, Campbell Brothers and Eric Bibb.
Music director and keyboardist Jason Miles once again is bringing special ensemble shows to the Berks Jazz Fest. Miles and an all-star roster will be Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr., the late legendary saxman. The show, To Grover with Love, brings together some of the top names in the business, including Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams and Ralph MacDonald. The world premiere of Jason Miles/DJ Logic Global Noize features Christian Scott, Karl Denson, Bernie Worrell, Café, Brian Dunne, Carl Burnett and Tim LeFebvre.
###
To order tickets:
Visit the Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading
Visit the Sovereign Performing Arts Center Box Office, 136 N. Sixth St.,
Reading
Call Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com
Order online at berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the festival, including artist bios and archived
releases, click on www.berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the Berks Arts Council, a nonprofit organization
that promotes all the arts in an effort to enrich the quality of life in
Berks County, click on www.berksarts.org.
Major Ticketed Events
Thursday, March 27 -- Berks Jazz Fest Kickoff Concert: Andrew Neu Group
featuring the Bright & Tight Horns, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $10.
Friday, March 28 -- Brian Bromberg Band, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base,
Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Friday, March 28 -- An Evening with Nancy Wilson, Sovereign Performing Arts
Center, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, March 28 -- Buddy Guy, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $40
and $35
Friday, March 28 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- LA Chillharmonic featuring Brian Bromberg, Richard
Smith, Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas, Greg Adams plus the Berks Jazz Fest
Horns, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, March 29 -- Simone and the Rob Stoneback Big Band, Gerald
Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Saturday, March 29 -- Chris Botti, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7:30
p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, March 29 -- Jump Rhythm Dance Project, Miller Center for the Arts,
8 p.m., $20
Saturday, March 29 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- Gerald Veasley and the WJJZ All-Stars Rick Braun,
Bobby Lyle, Chuck Loeb, Chris Farr and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, Miller Center, 1:30 p.m., no
charge
Sunday, March 30 -- Paul Brown's Guitar Night featuring Kenny Rankin and
Marc Antoine plus saxophonist Eric Darius, Sheraton Reading Hotel Ballroom,
2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Sweet Honey in the Rock, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 3
p.m., $45, $35, $25
Sunday, March 30 -- Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr. --
To Grover with Love: Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim
Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams, Ralph
MacDonald, and musical director Jason Miles, Sovereign Performing Arts
Center, 7 p.m., $49 and $43
Monday, March 31 -- Michael Manring & David Cullen, Gerald Veasley's Jazz
Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Tuesday, April 1 -- New York's Finest Jazz Band, Sheraton Reading Hotel,
7:30 p.m., $15
Wednesday, April 2 -- Bill Evans' Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- MusicReport with special guests Lynn Riley and Aaron
Graves, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Thursday, April 3 -- Nick Colionne with special guest Brian Simpson, Abraham
Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- Berks All-Star Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Chuck
Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Richard Elliot, Nick Colionne, Brian Bromberg, Pat
Martino, Joe McBride, Brian Simpson, Ricky Lawson, Andrew Neu and more,
Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $35
Friday, April 4 -- Pat Martino Quartet, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton
Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Friday, April 4 -- The Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with
special guest Paquito D'Rivera, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m.,
$32
Friday, April 4 -- Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, Scottish Rite Cathedral,
7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, April 4 -- New Orleans Funky Friday: Maria Muldaur and Bonerama, Inn
at Reading, 7:30 p.m., $32
Friday, April 4 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham
Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Friday, April 4 -- Candy Dulfer, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30
p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Euge Groove plus Alex Bugnon, Sheraton Reading Hotel
ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Abraham
Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $28
Saturday, April 5 -- Tribute to Chet Baker: Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley's
Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Saturday, April 5 -- Guitars & Saxes featuring Peter White, Gerald Albright,
Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, April 5 -- Clarence Spady Band plus Campbell Brothers plus Eric
Bibb, Inn at Reading, 7 p.m., $37
Saturday, April 5 -- Regina Carter Quintet, Miller Center for the Arts, 7:30
p.m., $38
Saturday, April 5 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret,
Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, April 5 -- World Premiere: Jason Miles/DJ Logic Global Noize
featuring Christian Scott, Karl Denson, Bernie Worrell, Café, Brian Dunne,
Carl Burnett and Tim LeFebvre, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30 p.m.,
$39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Chuck Loeb with special guests Eric Marienthal, Tom
Scott, Will Lee, Carmen Cuesta, Lizzy Loeb, Rob Mounsey, Cafe, Cliff Almond
and more, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Brian Culbertson, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47
and $41
CONTACT:
Mike Zielinski
Co-Publicity Director
VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest
610-236-4747
610-371-5146 fax
mzielinski@readingeagle.com
Catherine Catanach
Director of Development and Marketing
Berks Arts Council
610-898-1930
ccatanach@berksjazzfest.com
www.berksjazzfest.com
Happy Jazzin' at the Berks Jazz Festival!!
Beverly J. Packard
MyGirlSunday22@aol.com
Jazz Circle Member of the Berks Arts Council
Reading, Pennsylvania
The VF Outlet Berks Jazz fest is, primarily, a celebration of jazz. However, the festival is also known for its diverse lineup, with a healthy dose of blues.
This year, Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy will rock the house at the Sheraton Reading Hotel on Friday, March 28, at 10 p.m.
The 18th annual Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, runs March 28 through April 6 and will offer fans a wide array of musical styles, including contemporary and traditional jazz, blues and big band, with some gospel and even bluegrass thrown in. Shows are held at major venues, clubs and restaurants throughout Reading and Berks County, making it a truly unique festival.
High-energy guitar histrionics and boundless on-stage energy have always been Guy trademarks, along with a tortured vocal style that's nearly as distinctive as his incendiary rapid-fire fretwork. The Louisiana native is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a chief guitar influence to later legends Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago's West Side Sound and a living link to that city's halcyon days of electric blues.
Truly coming into his own and experiencing a great career Renaissance in his mid-50s, Guy's first three recordings for Silvertone in the early '90s earned Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album. 2003's Blues Singer won for Best Traditional Blues Album.
There is no shortage of the blues at this year's fest. In addition to Buddy Guy, there are two big shows on the closing weekend -- a New Orleans Funky Friday with Maria Muldaur and Bonerama; and blues night with the Clarence Spady Band, Campbell Brothers and Eric Bibb.
Berks Jazz Fest celebrates the enduring spirit of the Crescent City with New Orleans Funky Friday, a special show featuring famed roots-folk and blues singer Maria Muldaur and New Orleans brass band Bonerama, on Friday April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Inn at Reading.
In 1974 Muldaur scored her most famous hit with the iconic, sultry "Midnight at the Oasis," which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later in the decade, she joined the Jerry Garcia Band as a backing vocalist.
Well known in the blues genre, she has continued to perform, tour and record since her success in the mid-1970s, including a turn at the Teatro ZinZanni in 2001.
When Bonerama struts onstage with its four-trombone frontline, the audience is immediately aware it's not quite like any rock band you've seen. When they tear into some vintage New Orleans funk, there's no questioning where they're from. And when those 'bones start ripping into Hendrix and Led Zeppelin licks, all stylistic bets are off.
Clarence Spady Band, Campbell Brothers and Eric Bibb promise a night of burning blues from three incredible performers on Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at the Inn at Reading.
Clarence Spady has been an underground marvel since his initial and only worldwide release Nature of the Beast in 1996. He has a strong worldwide fan base and recently released his highly anticipated new album Just Between Us on Maryland-based Severn Records.
The Campbell Brothers present Sacred Steel: African-American gospel music with electric steel guitar and vocals that is both devoted and rocking.
Acoustic blues singer/songwriter Eric Bibb joined Robert Cray on two U.S. tours in 2001 and 2002 and opened for Bonnie Raitt and also Ray Charles in the summer of 2002. His 2005 release A Ship Called Love was nominated for Acoustic Album of the Year in the 2006 Blues Music Awards.
*****
Other featured artists at this year's festival include the return of the ever-popular Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber; jazz guitar great Pat Martino; master guitarist Chuck Loeb; saxophonist Eric Marienthal; alto saxophonist Candy Dulfer; the gifted and charismatic trumpeter Chris Botti; guitarist Paul Brown, vocalist Kenny Rankin, fellow guitarist Marc Antoine and saxman Eric Darius; Berks favorite, keyboardist Brian Culbertson; trumpet great Rick Braun and saxman Richard Elliot; guitarist Nick Colionne with keyboardist Brian Simpson; and versatile bassist Brian Bromberg.
Additional marquee artists include Bill Evans' Soulgrass with bluegrass vocalist and instrumentalist Sam Bush; popular keyboardist and vocalist Joe McBride; the Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with special guest, reed player Paquito D'Rivera; saxman Euge Groove and keyboardist Alex Bugnon; violinist Regina Carter in a quintet; the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, high-energy jazz dance performers; New York's Finest Jazz Band, an 18-member group performing jazz and pop standards; Kennedy Center presents Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, featuring young emerging artists; Sherrie Maricle and the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra; Simone, daughter of legendary singer Nina Simone, and the Rob Stoneback Big Band; and the return of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band.
Music director and keyboardist Jason Miles once again is bringing special ensemble shows to the Berks Jazz Fest. Miles and an all-star roster will be Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr., the late legendary saxman. The show, To Grover with Love, brings together some of the top names in the business, including Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams and Ralph MacDonald. The world premiere of Jason Miles/DJ Logic Global Noize features Christian Scott, Karl Denson, Bernie Worrell, Café, Brian Dunne, Carl Burnett and Tim LeFebvre.
###
To order tickets:
Visit the Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading
Visit the Sovereign Performing Arts Center Box Office, 136 N. Sixth St., Reading
Call Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com
Order online at berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the festival, including artist bios and archived releases, click on berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the Berks Arts Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes all the arts in an effort to enrich the quality of life in Berks County, click on www.berksarts.org.
*****
Major Ticketed Events
Thursday, March 27 -- Berks Jazz Fest Kickoff Concert: Andrew Neu Group featuring the Bright & Tight Horns, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7.pm., $10.
Friday, March 28 -- Brian Bromberg Band, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Friday, March 28 -- An Evening with Nancy Wilson, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, March 28 -- Buddy Guy, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $40 and $35
Friday, March 28 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- LA Chillharmonic featuring Brian Bromberg, Richard Smith, Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas, Greg Adams plus the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, March 29 -- Simone and the Rob Stoneback Big Band, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Saturday, March 29 -- Chris Botti, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, March 29 -- Jump Rhythm Dance Project, Miller Center for the Arts, 8 p.m., $20
Saturday, March 29 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- Gerald Veasley and the WJJZ All-Stars Rick Braun, Bobby Lyle, Chuck Loeb, Chris Farr and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, Miller Center, 1:30 p.m., no charge
Sunday, March 30 -- Paul Brown's Guitar Night featuring Kenny Rankin and Marc Antoine plus saxophonist Eric Darius, Sheraton Reading Hotel Ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Sweet Honey in the Rock, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 3 p.m., $45, $35, $25
Sunday, March 30 -- Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr. -- To Grover with Love: Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams, Ralph MacDonald, and musical director Jason Miles, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m., $49 and $43
Monday, March 31 -- Michael Manring & David Cullen, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Tuesday, April 1 -- New York's Finest Jazz Band, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7:30 p.m., $15
Wednesday, April 2 -- Bill Evans' Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- MusicReport with special guests Lynn Riley and Aaron Graves, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Thursday, April 3 -- Nick Colionne with special guest Brian Simpson, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- Berks All-Star Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Richard Elliot, Nick Colionne, Brian Bromberg, Pat Martino, Joe McBride, Brian Simpson, Ricky Lawson, Andrew Neu and more, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $35
Friday, April 4 -- Pat Martino Quartet, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Friday, April 4 -- The Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with special guest Paquito D'Rivera, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Friday, April 4 -- Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, April 4 -- New Orleans Funky Friday: Maria Muldaur and Bonerama, Inn at Reading, 7:30 p.m., $32
Friday, April 4 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Friday, April 4 -- Candy Dulfer, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Euge Groove plus Alex Bugnon, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $28
Saturday, April 5 -- Tribute to Chet Baker: Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Saturday, April 5 -- Guitars & Saxes featuring Peter White, Gerald Albright, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, April 5 -- Clarence Spady Band plus Campbell Brothers plus Eric Bibb, Inn at Reading, 7 p.m., $37
Saturday, April 5 -- Regina Carter Quintet, Miller Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $38
Saturday, April 5 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, April 5 -- World Premiere: Jason Miles/DJ Logic Global Noize featuring Christian Scott, Karl Denson, Bernie Worrell, Café, Brian Dunne, Carl Burnett and Tim LeFebvre, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Chuck Loeb with special guests Eric Marienthal, Tom Scott, Will Lee, Carmen Cuesta, Lizzy Loeb, Rob Mounsey, Cafe, Cliff Almond and more, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Brian Culbertson, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47 and $41
Following is the initial press release regarding the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest 2008. Plan to come and enjoy all the musical talent. Please note that other artists will be added in the coming days and months before the festival, so keep checking the line-up! Tickets can be obtained by the public on December 8th.
READING, PA -- November 26 -- The 18th annual Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, runs March 28 through April 6 and will offer fans a wide array of musical styles, including contemporary and traditional jazz, blues and big band, with some gospel and even bluegrass thrown in. Shows are held at major venues, clubs and restaurants throughout Reading and Berks County, making it a truly unique festival.
The Berks Arts Council is proud to announce that VF Outlet is the title sponsor of the Berks Jazz Fest from 2008 through 2010. This announcement has particular meaning because VFOutlet helped launch the festival as title sponsor of the first three-day Berks Jazz Fest in 1991, and remained title sponsor through the 1995 festival. Thirteen years and countless shows later, the now 10-day festival has come full circle with its title sponsorship.
Featured artists at this year's festival include legendary song stylist Nancy Wilson; always-rocking blues guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nductee Buddy Guy; the return of the ever-popular Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber; jazz guitar great Pat Martino; alto saxophonist Candy Dulfer; the gifted and charismatic trumpeter Chris Botti; guitarist Paul Brown, vocalist Kenny Rankin, fellow guitarist Marc Antoine and saxman Eric Darius; Berks favorite, keyboardist Brian Culbertson; trumpet great Rick Braun and saxman Richard Elliot; guitarist Nick Colionne with keyboardist Brian Simpson; versatile bassist Brian Bromberg; Bill Evans' Soulgrass with bluegrass vocalist and instrumentalist Sam Bush; popular keyboardist and vocalist Joe McBride; the Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with special guest, reed player Paquito D'Rivera; saxman Euge Groove and keyboardist Alex Bugnon; and violinist Regina Carter in a quintet.
There is no shortage of the blues at this year's fest. In addition to Buddy Guy, there are two big shows on the closing weekend -- a New Orleans Funky Friday with Maria Muldaur and Bonerama; and blues night with the Clarence Spady Band, Campbell Brothers and Eric Bibb.
Among the more unconventional shows this year are the Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, high-energy jazz dance performers; the NYPD Big Band, an 18-member group performing jazz and pop standards; Kennedy Center presents Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, featuring young emerging artists; Sherrie Maricle and the all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra; Simone, daughter of legendary singer Nina Simone, and the Rob Stoneback Big Band; and the return of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band.
Music director and keyboardist Jason Miles is once again bringing very special ensemble shows to Berks.
Miles will bring together an all-star roster to join him in Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr., the late legendary saxman. The show, To Grover with Love, brings together some of the top names in the business, including Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams and Ralph MacDonald.
For the world premiere of his show Global Noize, Jason Miles will be joined by Christian Scott, DJ Logic, Karl Denson, Cafe, Billy Martin, Sherrod Barnes, Bernie Worrell and Tim LeFebvre. Miles has dubbed the group a "global groove band."
Must-see special group shows are one of the big draws at the Berks Jazz Fest, and this year is no exception. There is the LA Chillharmonic, a cool all-star ensemble spearheaded by smooth jazz guitarist Richard Smith and bassist Brian Bromberg. They will be joined by Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas, Greg Adams and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns.
Gerald Veasley and the WJJZ All-Stars will be the third live television event for the Berks Jazz Fest, broadcast live by WFMZ-TV Channel 69, and will feature Bobby Lyle, Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Chris Farr and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns.
A perennial late-night favorite, guaranteed to wake up any sleepy fans, is the Berks All-Star Jazz Jam. This year's jam artists include Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Richard Elliot, Nick Colionne, Brian Bromberg, Pat Martino, Joe McBride, Brian Simpson, Ricky Lawson, Andrew Neu and more.
Chuck Loeb, well known to any Berks Jazz Fest fan, will be joined by special guests Eric Marienthal, Tom Scott, Will Lee, wife Carmen Cuesta, daughter Lizzy Loeb and more for a special show.
This year's festival is packed with must-see artists and unforgettable ensembles, offering cool smooth jazz, hot rockin' blues, soulful singing, rousing tributes and so much more.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m.
To order tickets:
~~Visit the Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading
~~Visit the Sovereign Performing Arts Center Box Office, 136 N. Sixth St.,
Reading
~~Call Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com
~~Order online at berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the festival, including artist bios and archived releases, click on www.berksjazzfest.com
For more information on the Berks Arts Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes all the arts in an effort to enrich the quality of life in Berks County, click on www.berksarts.org.
Major Ticketed Events
Friday, March 28 -- Brian Bromberg Band, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base,
Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Friday, March 28 -- An Evening with Nancy Wilson, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, March 28 -- Buddy Guy, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $40 and $35
Friday, March 28 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- LA Chillharmonic featuring Brian Bromberg, Richard Smith, Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas, Greg Adams plus the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, March 29 -- Simone and the Rob Stoneback Big Band, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $25
Saturday, March 29 -- Chris Botti, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7:30p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, March 29 -- Jump Rhythm Dance Project, Miller Center for the Arts, 8 p.m., $20
Saturday, March 29 -- Kenny Blake Quartet, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, March 29 -- Gerald Veasley and the WJJZ All-Stars Bobby Lyle, Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Chris Farr and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, Miller Center, 1:30 p.m., no charge
Sunday, March 30 -- Paul Brown, Kenny Rankin and Marc Antoine plus Eric Darius, Sheraton Reading Hotel Ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, March 30 -- Celebrating the Life & Music of Grover Washington Jr. -- To Grover with Love: Patti LaBelle, Walter Beasley, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Maysa, Phil Perry, Chuck Loeb, Will Lee, Buddy Williams, Ralph MacDonald, and musical director Jason Miles, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m., $49 and $43
Tuesday, April 1 -- NYPD Big Band, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7:30 p.m., $15
Wednesday, April 2 -- Bill Evans' Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- MusicReport with special guests Lynn Riley and Aaron Graves, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m., $12
Thursday, April 3 -- Nick Colionne with special guest Brian Simpson, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Thursday, April 3 -- Berks All-Star Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Richard Elliot, Nick Colionne, Brian Bromberg, Pat Martino, Joe McBride, Brian Simpson, Ricky Lawson, Andrew Neu and more, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10 p.m., $35
Friday, April 4 -- Pat Martino Quartet, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Friday, April 4 -- The Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Dave Samuels with special guest Paquito D'Rivera, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $32
Friday, April 4 -- Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7:30 p.m., $47 and $41
Friday, April 4 -- New Orleans Funky Friday: Maria Muldaur and Bonerama, Inn at Reading, 7:30 p.m., $32
Friday, April 4 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Friday, April 4 -- Candy Dulfer, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Euge Groove plus Alex Bugnon, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Saturday, April 5 -- Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $28
Saturday, April 5 -- Tribute to Chet Baker: Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base, Sheraton Reading Hotel, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $30
Saturday, April 5 -- Guitars & Saxes featuring Peter White, Gerald Albright, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47 and $41
Saturday, April 5 -- Clarence Spady Band plus Campbell Brothers plus Eric Bibb, Inn at Reading, 7 p.m., $37
Saturday, April 5 -- Regina Carter Quintet, Miller Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $38
Saturday, April 5 -- Joe McBride Trio, L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret, Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 10 p.m., $15
Saturday, April 5 -- World Premiere: Global Noize featuring Jason Miles, Christian Scott, DJ Logic, Karl Denson, Cafe, Billy Martin, Sherrod Barnes, Bernie Worrell and Tim LeFebvre, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 10:30 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Chuck Loeb with special guests Eric Marienthal, Tom Scott, Will Lee, Carmen Cuesta, Lizzy Loeb, and more, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom, 2 p.m., $39 and $34
Sunday, April 6 -- Brian Culbertson, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 7 p.m., $47 and $41
Press release provided by:
Catherine Catanach, APR
Director of Development and Marketing
Berks Arts Council
Happy Jazzin' and I hope to see you at the festival!
Beverly J. Packard
Jazz Circle Member of the Berks Arts Council
Reading, Pennsylvania
MyGirlSunday22@aol.com
Following is a press release given August 23rd in Reading, Pennsylvania regarding new sponsorship of the Berks Jazz Festival. With members of the Berks Arts Council present, Berks Jazz Fest manager John Ernesto, various media people (including radio), as well as jazz artists Gerald Veasley, Chieli Minucci and Nelson Rangell, Connie Leinbach, Berks Arts Council President, made the announcment.
READING, Pa. - VF Outlet, Inc. has become the title sponsor for the Berks Jazz Fest for 2008 through 2010, presented by the Berks Arts Council.
"The Berks Jazz Fest is an important musical, cultural and economic event that has become a vital part of Greater Reading," says Steve Fritz, President of VF Outlet, Inc., about the collaboration. "VF Outlet is thrilled to be a part of this long standing tradition."
In fact VF has come full circle since it helped launch the festival in 1991, as the title sponsor.
The Berks Arts Council has presented the Berks Jazz Fest since 1991, when it began as a weekend event with about two dozen events. It has been a 10-day event since 2000, and has burgeoned into a world-class event featuring more than 130 events and attracting an audience of more than 45,000.
"During Jazz Fest, the streets, shops, hotels and restaurants are filled with jazz patrons, all of whom spend an estimated $6 million in Berks County in just 10 days," says Connie Leinbach, Executive Director of the Berks Arts
Council. "With VF's partnership, both of our organizations will reach new fans and customers."
GPU and its successor company FirstEnergy had been the title sponsor since 1999.
"We are grateful for FirstEnergy's support of this event since 2003 and are pleased that they will continue to be a major sponsor of the festival," Leinbach adds.
The 18th edition of the festival runs from Friday, March 28, through Sunday, April 6, 2008. Major ticketed acts will be announced December 2. Current information is located on the web at www.berksjazzfest.com.
Berks Arts Council's mission is to encourage and promote all of the arts, to develop an appreciation of the arts and to enrich and enhance the quality through education, collaborations and presentation with other arts
organizations. The Arts Council presents the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest, Berks Movie Madness Film Festival, Bandshell Concert Series, the Pagoda Awards, the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts re-granting program, the Music Composition Program, and provides art exhibition opportunities for member artists. For more information about Berks Arts Council call (610) 898-1930, or visit www.berksarts.org
Dave Koz and Friends are At the Movies for this year's Smooth Jazz Christmas tour! Here's the latest press release from the Berks Arts Council.
READING, PA -- The Berks Jazz Fest promises to jazz up Christmas with the return of Dave Koz and pals, making a stop in Reading during their Dave Koz and Friends, A Smooth Jazz Christmas At The Movies, With Special Guests Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale and Kimberley Locke, of American Idol fame. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dave Koz and Friends Smooth Jazz Christmas, and the show's third appearance in Reading.
Join the holiday fun on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading. Reserved tickets are $55 and $49.
Multi-Grammy nominee and pop instrumentalist/saxophonist extraordinaire Koz always is treated like music royalty during his Berks Jazz Fest appearances. Concertgoers on Nov. 28th will be treated to the artists' hits, as well as Christmas and holiday standards. Koz also will be covering a selection of music from his new release, At The Movies. Koz and friends will be joined by musical director Brian Simpson, a Rendezvous Recording Artist.
Koz's latest work, At The Movies, showcases the timeless melodies from American and foreign cinema, including "Over The Rainbow," "Moon River," "The Pink Panther," "The Way We Were," "It Might Be You," and more.
Rendezvous artist Jonathan Butler, a gifted singer, two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist and producer, released Brand New Day in June. As a teenager, the South African native broke racial barriers in his native country with his first single on the Jive Records label. Over the years, Butler solidified his presence in the 1990s with a body of music that crossed color and age lines.
Wayman Tisdale is a former NBA star, Olympic gold medalist and popular jazz bassist whose latest CD, Way Up, is one of this year's best-selling jazz releases, debuting at No. 1, and spending 30 weeks in the Top 10 on
Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart. His current radio single, the title track "Way Up," on its way to the top, is currently at No. 2 on R&R's Smooth Jazz chart.
Tisdale suffered a leg injury after a fall in February; it was then discovered that the injury was due to a cancerous cyst in his leg. Tisdale is on the road to recovery and is working on a new album, titled Rebound.
Kimberley Locke's name may ring a few bells. The second runner-up on the second season of "American Idol" in 2003, this singer later released her Curb Records debut album, One Love, and has had five consecutive top 10 Adult Contemporary hits, including two No. 1 songs, "8th World Wonder," and a holiday recording of "Up On The Housetop." She's also a model and has been involved in several television projects and Disney recordings. Locke's sophomore album, Based on a True Story, the follow-up to One Love, came out last fall on Curb Records.
This year's Dave Koz and Friends Christmas show promises to get the audience in the holiday spirit, so we hope you join in the fun!
To order tickets:
Visit the Sovereign Center Box Office, 7th & Penn streets, Reading
Visit the Sovereign Performing Arts Center Box Office, 136 N. 6th St.,
Reading
Call Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com
For more information on the Berks Arts Council, a nonprofit organization
that promotes all the arts in an effort to enrich the quality of life in
Berks County, click on www.berksarts.org
Plan now for a Happy Jazzin' Christmas!
Beverly J. Packard
Jazz Circle Member of the Berks Arts Council
MyGirlSunday22@aol.om
The final show of the festival took place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Sunday evening with Guitars & Saxes, combining the talents of sax players Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum and guitarists Jeff Golub and Tim Bowman. They had a stellar band featuring Ricky Lawson on drums, Nate Phillips on bass and Marlon McClain on guitar plus keyboards. This band came here to play and you could feel the energy and fun they created. The show was kicked off with each of the main artists stepping to the stage playing a short sample of one of their hits segueing into the next song, instantly creating a good vibe. Kirk Whalum played several songs from the Babyface songbook and his current #1 song "Give Me The Reason", while Jeff Golub performed some songs from his brand new release Grand Central which was released only a few weeks ago, delving deeply into Blues territory. Gerald Albright played his favorites "So Amazing" and "My, My, My" to the delight of the crowd, one woman even brought him a bouquet of flowers to the stage which touched him visibly. Tim Bowman for me was a most welcome addition to the band, his Wes-styled playing is outstanding and his hit song "Summer Groove" - being a favorite of mine - was a great musical moment to hear live. Then they slowed down things a little with an unplugged segment of the show where they sat on stools next to each other playing their instruments imaging they were sitting in someone's living room just having a good time, among the songs played was a great version of "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" and the great "Mojito" from Jeff Golub's new CD. Towards the end of the show hit was following hit, but they relied exclusively on cover versions completely ignoring their own catalog of music, virtually turning into a "Greatest-Hits-Music-Review" which was okay with the crowd who were all up, clapping, dancing and singing, bringing a truly great festival to an end.
Sunday afternoon it was WJJZ 97.5's turn to host a Fan Appreciation Concert featuring Chuck Loeb plus Gerald Veasley and Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole (who appeared the previous night as the Sax Pack), once more supported by the great Berks Jazz Fest Horns. The concert was well attended and Chuck Loeb opened the concert just with his band featuring drummer Josh Dion, keyboardist Matt King and bass. Chuck settled comfortably into some of his compositions, among them "E-Bop" and "Presence" from the current CD, displaying his great skills on guitar. He kept things soft and low with his great rendition of James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Lonely Tonight", on this song drummer Josh Dion played in the most subtle and sensitive fashion I have seen, later adding some of his soulful singing bringing the song to a rousing end. During the first half of the show special guest and local hero Gerald Veasley came to the stage to play a truly heartfelt rendition of his own "Forever", a song dedicated to his wife having special meaning for him, a fact you could feel! His bass playing was just great and his appearance a welcome addition to this concert. After a short intermission some considerable sax power was added to the show with Kim Waters, then Jeff Kashiwa and lastly Steve Cole stepping on the stage to perform one of their songs, raising the level of energy considerably. All of them are outstanding players and stage personalities, again they couldn't help but making jokes and pulling each others legs, creating a good vibe. During one song the Berks Jazz Fest Horns got their round of solos, especially Mike Anderson on sax stood out proving that he is an artist in his own right. While these artists delivered a high energy show as the Sax Pack the previous night, during this afternoon they showed their softer sides, which yielded some great solos, especially Jeff Kashiwa played a tremendously smooth and heartfelt solo during one of Chuck Loeb's tunes. The last track "Bounce" (from Steve Cole's True album) reunited all artists for a great finale, ending another great show of first rate artists.
(Sorry for the bad picture, but I sat in the back and this was the best I could achieve)
After the Sax Pack show at 1am the Brian Culbertson All-Star Smooth Jazz Cruise Jam II hosted by Nick Colionne at the Sheraton was due, a promotional event to tease people into joining the All-Star Cruise. All you had to do to get in was to buy a raffle ticket (giving you the chance to win a cabin on that cruise), giving you access to this show, which is always a lot of fun and full of surprises. Host Nick Colionne was dressed in a red suit and hat and ready to lead many artists through a loose jam night. On stage were parts of his band (Dave Hiltebrand on bass, his keyboarad player and drummer), with the additional help of several fellow artists, some of them exclusively appearing at this show. First guest was Alvin Fisher on flute, then on came Jackiem Joyner on sax delivering some great solos, then bass player Gerald Veasley stepped on the stage giving us some serious bass playing. Then sax player Andrew Neu showed up again, helped out by a local guy claiming to be the best mandolin player of Berks County, they played Grover Washington Jr.'s "Winelight" for us with the mandolin player - obviously not exactly playing the style of music he is used to - delivering a totally spaced-out solo on the mandolin, while Andrew Neu turned out to be a true top-shelf player. Then the lovely Althea Rene on flute appeared displaying some serious chops, then bass player Michael Manson stepped on the stage soloing fiercly, then Maysa appeared having come of the Soul Summit show settling into a beautiful version of "Summertime" with lots of scatting and vocal improvisations (having her performance at the Soul Summit pale in comparison), then bass players Gerald Veasley and Scott Ambush (from Spyro Gyra, having sneaked in too) gave us a veritable battle on their basses, before returning the song gently to Maysa to end it. Steve Oliver was there too adding his flashy guitar playing contributing further highlights to this concert. Alan Hewitt played some keyboards and vibes, while another local sax player (who was a little overwhelmed by all the star power around him) got his solo spots too. Nick Colionne directed the proceedings by calling artists to the stage and selecting songs, additionally he played some great guitar solos. The night was concluded with Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" reuniting all artists on stage for the rousing finale. This was the best concert of the festival, not only because of the tremendous star power but most of all because of the truly impromptu setting and the loose way these artists could play and express themselves. At 2am who cares, just let's have some fun!
Here is a short sample of the action on stage:
Late Saturday evening the great The Sax Pack, featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole, were scheduled to appear at the Sheraton. These three artists belong to the absolute best smooth jazz sax players on the scene and their energetic shows are always a treat, besides their styles merge well. They were joking, pulling each others legs and having just fun on stage. Each of these artists played songs from his catalog, some songs were done together, some individually. Kim Waters played his hit song "Waterfall" in his smooth and sexy style, while Steve Cole delivered several songs from his latest release True, among them "Just A Natural Thang" and - as I had hoped - the gorgeous "Curtis" which gave him the opportunity to express himself on the tenor sax. Jeff Kashiwa announced a new release to come out in June, he played two songs from that making us look forward to hear it soon. All off the artists made their strolls into the audience, sometimes together, which stirred quite some heart. The band was grooving hard, among them were bass player Dave Hiltebrand, keyboard player Mike Richiutti and guitar player Jerry Johnson. This great concert was concluded with Jeff Kashiwa's radio hit "Hyde Park (the "Ah, Oooh" song)" giving the audience a change to contribute the vocal part. This was another top notch concert full of fun and energy by three really outstanding sax players.
Saturday evening another one of those concerts you can only experience at Berks was due with Soul Summit, a star-studded event dedicated to Soul music celebrating an important part of American heritage. Jason Miles assembled some musical legends and some outstanding current players. Among the legends were bass player Bob Babbit and guitar player Reggie Young, who both have played on many unforgettable classics. Both must be in their 70ies, so Bob Babbit preferred to do the performance sitting. The world class band was completed by Steve Ferrone on drums, Sherrod Barnes on guitar, Jason Miles on keyboards and a horn section consisting of David Mann on sax, Karl Denson on flute and saxes and Barry Danielian on trumpet. They kicked off the show with an instrumental featuring David Mann on sax, before playing "Memphis 2000" from Jason Miles, followed by Herbie Mann's "Memphis Underground" featuring Karl Denson on flute, a track which featured Reggie Young back in the day. Later vocalists Mike Mattison (from the Derek Trucks Band) and Susan Tedeschi came to the stage to sing a few songs, among them "Song Of A Preacher Man", which was done justice by Susan Tedeschi who admittedly was a bit reluctant to tackle this giant classic song. The great songstress Maysa gave us "What A Man", then surprise artist Richard Elliot came to the stage infusing lots of energy into the show playing "Chicken & Waffles" (from the Jason Miles CD Mr. X which featured the late Grover Washington Jr. on the album) and a great version of Junior Walker's "Shotgun". Another outstanding artist was the great Karl Denson who contributed several powerful solos on the saxophone and helped to raise the bar a notch. At the end of the show a tribute to James Brown was due in the form a medley covering songs like "I Feel Good" and "Sex Machine" with Karl Denson taking the JB part bringing a memorable performance to its end. This was another special evening and Jason Miles has to be applauded for pulling such events off. I look forward to what he has in store for us at next year's festival.
Saturday early afternoon people gathered for The Groove Boutique's Rafe Gomez Hosts Warren Hill and Nick Colionne, a double bill of two full length concerts by two very popular artists. The afternoon was hosted by radio DJ Rafe Gomez who played some well selected music before and in between concerts.
Saxophone player Warren Hill had to fight some obstacles to bring his music to us, three of his band members were stuck in LA because their flight was overbooked, so he had to recruit the guitar player from the Sax Pack and the drummer from the Nick Colionne band filling in on short notice to complete his band, which otherwise consisted of Andre Berry on bass (who was touring with Mindi Abair concurrently) and keyboard player Ron Reinhardt. They had to improvise a little but this even added to the fun of the afternoon, Warren Hill was in a relaxed mood and entertained the crowd with witty comments and stories in between songs, yielding some good laughs. He kicked off his show with the Beatles classic "Come Together", then he continued with a great rendition of Grover Washington Jr.'s "Mr. Magic", which he segued into "Winelight", breaking it down nicely giving me goose-bumps! Then he played "Light My Fire" showing tremendous sensibility and a knack for soft and smooth grooves. The crowd just loved it! The whole band did a great job, and Warren Hill had the audience in the palm of his hand. One of the highlights was his version of "Play This Funky Music" having him to walk in the audience and playing his sax standing on chairs amidst the clapping crowd. This was a musically satisfying, very entertaining concert by one of the greatest smooth jazz artists out there.
Then it was time for the unique Nick Colionne, who was dressed all in white and was ready to give us a good time. Nick knows how to work the crowd, he is a consummate artist, and his witty comments and great rapport with the audience resulted in another very entertaining concert. He played some of his hit songs, among them "High Flyin'" and "Arrival", showing tremendous skills on the guitar, backed by a competent and seriously grooving band. I had forgotten how good this guy actually is and was completely blown away by his flashy runs on the guitar and his Wes-inclined playing, he definitely is up to par with George Benson! Often he broke it down and played it softly and smooth, just to build it up again, he also made more than one strolls into the audience addressing several (mostly female) fans personally. One highlight was his heartfelt rendition of the song "A Rainy Night In Georgia", his low voice gave me a fuzzy feeling and his sensuous playing on the guitar topped it all. Nick Colionne has risen to the absolute top within the smooth jazz genre and I look forward to hear more from this gifted and very likable artist.
While David Sanborn and Pat Martino were having their performances at the Sheraton the inimitable Steve Oliver was scheduled to appear at the Wyndham in a non-ticketed event which took place in the club-like setting of L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret. Steve Oliver appeared just with the great percussion player Humberto Vela, who added many grooves and colors to the proceedings, while Steve relied on his guitar (which triggered a multitude of synths) and vocals. The duo created a surprisingly full sound and Steve Oliver was just happy to play and perform songs from his vast catalog of music. Outstanding moments of the concert were the uptempo "Chips & Salsa" with some first-rate guitar playing and a vocal where he added sounds in the spirit of Bobby McFerrin, accompanied by his guitar synth, which left the audience in awe. Other highlights were his hit songs "High Noon" featuring some flashy guitar playing and vocal ad-libs, the great song "Cool" and the yet unrecorded vocal "Fearless", which will be part of an upcoming all-vocals album. His show was much appreciated, Steve Oliver is one of the greatest talents on the scene and I always look forward to hear more music of this truly original and constantly developing artist.
Here is a snippet of the action (sorry for the low light conditions):
Saturday evening we were in for a treat by Rick Braun & Friends giving a special concert to celebrate the 17th anniversary of the festival. The friends Rick brought with him were Ron Reinhardt on keyboards, Stanley Sargeant on bass, Rayford Griffin on drums, Dwight Sills on guitar and a horn section consisting of his brother Ross Braun and Nick Lane on trombones, Jimmy Roberts on sax and an additional trumpet player. Rick opened the concert with his proven habit to wander to the stage from the back of the audience playing his instrument this way creating an instant rapport with the crowd, the first song featured a great solo by saxophonist Jimmy Roberts. Then saxophone player Richard Elliot entered the stage raising the bar a notch with his muscular playing, before the great Jonathan Butler gave us a beautiful rendition of his song "Sarah, Sarah" which created enthusiastic responses from the audience. Rick Braun was the party man cheering the crowd, his cover of Bill Withers' classic "Use Me" with some audience participation was a highlight of the concert. Another cool part was the battle of the trombones having Ross Braun and Nick Lane duelling on their horns, after all fun and entertainment was the order of the evening! This was also true for Richard Elliot's version of "People Make The World Go Round" having the saxophonist cowering just emitting growling sounds from his instrument, which was fun to watch. Saxophonist Jackiem Joyner is the latest addition to the roster of Artizen Records, the label run by Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, and therefore got an opportunity during the concert to be introduced to the fans. Jackiem Joyner played a great song from his upcoming release Babysoul and won the hearts of the crowd with his soulful and smooth playing. At the end of the concert Richard Elliot gave us a heartfelt version of his signature song "When A Man Loves A Women" which brought him again to his knees, then Jonathan Butler came to the rescue, helped him up and finished the song with a rousing vocal, which was truly mesmerizing. The crowd cheered for more so Jonathan Butler performed his hit song "Lies" which brought a very entertaining evening to its end.
Brubeck concert reset for April 27
The Dave Brubeck Quartet had been scheduled to open the 17th annual FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest.
Now the acclaimed group will be performing in Reading a month after the festival has concluded its 10-day run.
The Berks Arts Council announced today that the 86-year-old Brubeck suffered a setback over the weekend in his recovery from surgery for a blood clot and infection that were triggered by a recent ankle injury.
Consequently, he and his quartet now will perform on Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $46 and $39.
All tickets will be honored on that date for the show, which first was scheduled for Friday, March 16, and then first rescheduled for Wednesday, March 21.
Brubeck's setback over the weekend forced his doctors to be even further protective of his infection situation.
Hence, the switch of the concert to its own special BJF date on April 27.
Dave Brubeck Quartet
Friday, April 27
Sovereign Performing Arts Center
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $46 and $39
The traditional Berks All-Star Jazz Jam was held at the Sheraton late Friday evening and was a star-studded event of the highest order. Sometimes the stage was almost a little overcrowded making one wonder if less might be more. But anyway, the pairing of these artists in this impromptu setting made way for some great moments of music. The evening was put together by guitar player Chuck Loeb who led this bunch of artists through a selection of mainly standards. On stage were at times 6 sax players, 4 guitarists, 2 bassists, 1 violinist, 1 trumpet player, 1 keyboardist and 1 drummer, giving some of the artists a hard time to be heard, the sound man at the mixing console seemed not always being able to keep up with the proceedings on stage. This quibbles aside those involved put all their hearts into their performances, we had sax players Jackiem Joyner, Warren Hill, Richard Elliot, Keith McKelley, Andrew Neu and Mindi Abair, guitar players Pat Martino, Nick Colionne, Chuck Loeb and Steve Oliver, bass players Brian Bromberg and Gerald Veasley, violinist John Blake, trumpet player Rick Braun, keyboardist Joe McBride and drummer Rayford Griffin. With the exception of the first and last songs the artists played together in various smaller combinations, the songs played ranged from "Caravan" giving Rick Braun a chance to show his tremendous improvisational skills and chops on trumpet, the slower "All Blues" featuring a great Mindi Abair (backed by the legendary Pat Martino) to "Summertime", which marked the highlight of the concert for me. This song featured Mindi Abair on sax and Steve Oliver on vocals and guitar giving both artists ample room to play this great tune, Steve Oliver's vocal artistry was outstanding, reminding me of Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau, complemented by his first rate guitar playing. This guy is a huge talent who gets better and better each time I see him. Newcomers like the great Jackiem Joyner, Andrew Neu or Keith McKelley (member of Joe McBride's band) were welcome additions to the roster of seasoned stars having one to look forward to the future of the format. The show was concluded with the Crusaders classic "Put It Where You Want It" reuniting all artists of the evening giving Richard Elliot one more opportunity to dazzle the crowd with his gutsy saxophone playing. I always like the All-Star Jam, because it is full of surprises with artists willing to take a few risks, yielding some magical moments, and this Jam was no exception.
Thursday evening the pace of the festival started to pick up again with several major acts to come. The beautiful Mindi Abair appeared at the Wyndham Hotel ballroom with her youthful and seriously grooving band. Despite her georgeous looks the lady definitely can blow and knows how to throw a party, she and her band mates seemed to have a good time on stage with lots of joking and laughing. She gave us some great renditions of her hit songs like "Flirt", "Remember" and the smoking "It Just Happens That Way" which offered the bass player Andre Berry an opportunity to play a funky bass solo which left the audience in awe. Her music was oscillating between rock, pop, funk and jazz resulting in a delicious mix, to loosen up things she performed a few pop vocals, spiced up with her hot soprano playing. Being known as an artist mainly performing self-written material, the exception to this rule was her cover of Cannonball Adderley's "Walk Tall". She ended the show with her signature song "Lucy's" which went down very well with the crowd which was in happy partying mood. This was another entertaining evening by a consummate artist.
Wednesday night the great Joe McBride & The Texas Rhythm Club gave a con