Berks Jazz Fest

[Lois Gilbert]

Berks Jazz Fest March 17-26, Reading, PA

16th annual Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, PA will feature several exceptional one-of-a-kind concerts featuring some of the top names in jazz, including Diane Reeves, Mose Allison, Larry Carlton, Ramsey Lewis, Cyrus Chestnut, Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling, Larry Goldings, Jane Monheit, Pat Martino,Russell Malone, and more.

The Berks Jazz Fest runs March 17-26, 2006 at multiple venues throughout Berks County and is stocked with a lineup of artists deep and talented enough to merit considerable conversation. There's such a vibe throughout Berks during the festival it's as if everybody is celebrating birthdays at the same time and everybody is invited to the party.

Unique concerts being produced for Berks Jazz Fest include tributes to the music of Marvin Gaye and Motown; Brazilian legend Ivan Lins; and the Festival Finale is a Wes Montgomery Tribute.

The festival has a spectacular beginning with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves and keyboard icon Joe Sample performing in a grand opening concert.

The 10-day lineup once again is an amazing palette, featuring a diversity of musical styles that includes contemporary jazz, traditional jazz, big band, blues, Latin jazz, swing jazz, and more. Such an effusive range and depth give the festival a singular appeal that is never dulled by time.

Schedule Follows:


Thursday, March 16

Berks Jazz Fest Preview Luncheon
The Groovemasters

11:30 a.m. The Peanut Bar Restaurant 610-376-8500 for reservations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Berks Jazz Fest Preview Concert
Sax Summit II
featuring
Larry McKenna, Tom Strohman, Tim Price and Chris Heslop
7:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
at the Sheraton $10.00 at door
(Open Seating)

Friday, March 17


Berks Jazz Fest Official Kickoff Luncheon
Chris Heslop Band

11:30 a.m. Wyndham Reading Hotel Call 610-372-3700 for reservations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mose Allison
Opening Night Concert
Dianne Reeves
plus
Joe Sample

7:30 p.m. Sovereign Performing
Arts Center $45.00 (Reserved Seating)
$38.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Inn of Blues
Mose Allison
plus
Guy Davis 8:00 p.m. Inn at Reading Ballroom $28.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heads Up CD Release Concert
Pieces of a Dream
featuring special guest
Gerald Veasley

10:30 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom
$30.00 (Reserved Seating)

Saturday, March 18


Contemporary Jazz Saxophonists
Gerald Albright
and
Kirk Whalum 2:00 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom $38.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Inn of Blues
Marcia Ball
plus
Clarence Spady Band with special guest Lou Pride
Deb Callahan Band 7:00 p.m. Inn at Reading Ballroom $35.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Evening of Strings
Michael Manring, Tracy Silverman
and David Cullen
7:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sheraton Reading Hotel $12.00 (Open Seating)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Skip Norcott Memorial Concert
Ramsey Lewis & David Benoit
with the
Reading Pops Orchestra 7:30 p.m. Sovereign Performing
Arts Center $45.00 (Reserved Seating)
$38.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Evening of Strings (Second Show Added)
Michael Manring, Tracy Silverman
and David Cullen 10:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sheraton Reading Hotel $12.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contemporary Jazz Saxophonists
Gerald Albright
and
Kirk Whalum 10:30 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom
$38.00 (Reserved Seating)
Sunday, March 19


Mulgrew Miller
Jazz Goes To Church
featuring
Cyrus Chestnut, Kevin Mahogany
and
Kendrick Oliver & The New Life Jazz Orchestra 2:00 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom $35.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Free Community Concert
Robbi K & Friends 3:00 p.m. PAL Center for the Arts FREE. Ticket required.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jazz Worship Service"
Kirk Whalum and Tehillah Jazz 3:00 p.m. Grace Fellowship Church
Shillington $10 at door; to order, call 610-775-0151
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jazz Bassist"
Kyle Eastwood 4:00 p.m. Goggleworks Center for the Arts Theater $20 at door or in advance at theater
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16th Anniversary Concert
The Music of Marvin Gaye & Motown
featuring
Jason Miles, Bobby Caldwell, Peter White, Kevin Mahogany, Guida De Palma, Mike Mattison, Nick Colionne,
Jay Beckenstein, Sharrod Barnes, Gene Lake, Jonathan Maron, Dominick Farinacci, DJ Logic, Cesar Camargo Mariano,
Bashiri Johnson
plus special guest
Candy Dulfer 7:00 p.m. Sovereign Performing
Arts Center $45.00 (Reserved Seating)
$38.00 (Reserved Seating)
Monday, March 20


Free Community Concert
U.S. Air Force Rhythm In Blues Jazz Ensemble
with special guest Tom Coster
plus Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band
with special guest conductor Pat Dorian 7:00 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral FREE. Ticket required.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The Young Faces of Jazz”
Taylor Eigsti and Julian Lage
plus
Liz Longley 7:30 p.m. Albright College
Wachovia Theatre $15.00 (Reserved Seating)
Tuesday, March 21


Free Community Concert
U.S. Air Force Rhythm In Blues Jazz Ensemble
with special guest Tom Coster
plus Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band
with special guest conductor Pat Dorian
7:00 p.m. Boyertown Senior High School FREE. Ticket required.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Traditional Jazz Pianist
Mulgrew Miller Trio 7:30 p.m. Albright College
Wachovia Theatre $20.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Music of Frank Sinatra & Friends
City Rhythm Orchestra
featuring vocalist
Steve Ritrovato 7:30 p.m. Wyndham Reading Hotel $15.00 (Reserved Seating)
Wednesday, March 22


Berks Jazz Fest Fantasy Camp
Faculty Concert
Mulgrew Miller, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Jimmy Bruno, Bob Mintzer, John Swana and Steve Smith 7:30 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom $25.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Band Community Concert
Jump City Jazz Orchestra 7:30 p.m. St. John's UCC/Kutztown For tickets, call 610-683-8531.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas Hold ’Em Night
Joe McBride & The Texas Rhythm Club 9:00 p.m. The Peanut Bar Restaurant Call 610-376-8500 for reservations
Thursday, March 23


Dinner at L'Arte della Vita
Joe McBride
5:00 pm Wyndham Reading
Hotel
Call 610-372-3700 for reservations

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Kurt ELlingPittsburgh B-3 Master
Gene Ludwig Trio
featuring Dave Stryker and Vince Ector 7:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sheraton Reading Hotel $10.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meet the Artists Night Concert
Chieli Minucci & Special EFX
featuring
Ken Navarro
with the
Berks Jazz Fest Horns 7:30 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom $30.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berks All-Star Jazz Jam
featuring
Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley,
Eric Darius, Chieli Minucci, Ken Navarro, Joe McBride,
Kenny Blake, Steve Smith, Tom Coster and more! 10:00 p.m. Sheraton Reading
Hotel Ballroom $30.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Package for Both
Special EFX & Berks All-Star Jazz Jam 7:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom
Sheraton Reading
Hotel Ballroom
$50.00 (Reserved Seating)

Friday, March 24


Jazz Dinner at L'Arte della Vita
Joe McBride and Kenny Blake
5:00 pm Wyndham Reading
Hotel
Call 610-372-3700 for reservations

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Evening With
Gerald Veasley
and special guest
Kurt Elling 7:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sheraton Reading Hotel $35.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Artizen Records Presents
Rick Braun & Richard Elliot 7:30 p.m. Sovereign Performing
Arts Center $45.00 (Reserved Seating)
$38.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Salute to Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps
Chuck Mangione 7:30 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral $40.00 (Reserved Seating)

Larry Carlton$35.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jimi Hendrix Tribute
The Carl Filipiak Group 9:00 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom $15.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Evening With
Gerald Veasley
with special guest
Kurt Elling 10:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sheraton Reading Hotel $35.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist
Najee 10:30 p.m. Sheraton Reading
Hotel Ballroom $30.00 (Reserved Seating)
Saturday, March 25


WJJZ 106.1 Smooth Jazz Saturday
Larry Carlton & The Blue
Sapphire Band
plus
Richard Smith & Freddie Ravel
Power Quartet
featuring special guest
Kim Waters 1:00 p.m. Sheraton Reading
Hotel Ballroom $35.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEEU presents "The One and Only"
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra 2:00 p.m. Wyndham Reading
Hotel Ballroom $25.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jazz Dinner at L'Arte della Vita
Joe McBride and Kenny Blake
5:00 pm Wyndham Reading
Hotel
Call 610-372-3700 for reservations

Jane Monheit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exciting New Jazz Ensemble
Triad
featuring
Steve Oliver, Michael Paulo, Gerald Veasley 6:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base Sheraton Reading Hotel $35.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Premiere Concert
Ivan Lins & Friends
featuring
Ivan Lins, Candy Dulfer, Jason Miles, Jane Monheit,
Brenda Russell, Eliane Elias, Leonardo Amuedo,
Romero Lubambo, Cafe, Will Lee, Josh Dion,
Tom Harrell, Chuck Loeb and more. 7:00 p.m. Sovereign Performing
Arts Center $45.00 (Reserved Seating)
$38.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grammy Award-Winning Blues Guitarist
The Robert Cray Band 7:30 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral $40.00 (Reserved Seating)
$35.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exciting New Jazz Ensemble
Triad
featuring
Steve Oliver, Michael Paulo, Gerald Veasley 10:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base Sheraton Reading Hotel $35.00 (Open Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smooth Jazz Keyboardist
Brian Culbertson
with special guest
Eric Darius 10:30 p.m. Sheraton Reading
Hotel Ballroom SOLD OUT
Sunday, March 26


WJJZ 106.1 Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch
Paul Jackson Jr. 10:00 a.m. Sheraton Reading Hotel
Ballroom $36.00 (Reserved Seating)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WJJZ 106.1 Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch
Paul Jackson Jr.
1:00 p.m. Sheraton Reading Hotel
Ballroom $36.00 (Reserved Seating)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Afternoon of Chill Jazz
Bona Fide
featuring
Slim Man
3:00 p.m. Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sheraton Reading Hotel $20.00 (Reserved Seating)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Music of "Be Still My Soul"
Michelle & Brian Culbertson
4:00 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church
Wyomissing Free-will offering
at door


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Festival Grand Finale
Tribute to Wes Montgomery
featuring guitarists
Chuck Loeb
Pat Martino
Paul Jackson Jr.
Larry Carlton
Russell Malone
Earl Klugh
Jimmy Bruno
plus
Larry Goldings, keyboards
Wolfgang Haffner, drums
Will Lee, bass 7:00 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral $40.00 (Reserved Seating)
$35.00 (Reserved Seating)