Berks Jazz Fest, but People I Don’T Get to Play with All That Often
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axophonist Gerald Albright is going to be a busy chance to play all different types of music and with Johnson was doing on the bass,” he said. “After the Sman during the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, but people I don’t get to play with all that often. I’m look- show I thought I’d just borrow a bass and fi gured I frank scott award / 3 that’s nothing new for him. And he’s certainly no ing forward to it.” would at least learn a scale. But shortly thereafter it stranger to the fest -- this is his eighth year perform- Albright is no stranger to multi-tasking. He started became an integral part of what I do.” ing at Berks. playing piano when he was about 8 and then added As much as he loves the sax, Albright said the artist profi les / begin The fi ve-time the saxophone a year later. bass gave him entrance to the rhythm section in by tracy rasmussen Grammy nominee “I was a child,” he said. “And I wasn’t really interested ways the saxophone never could. on 6 reading eagle correspondent is hosting his own in the piano. I wanted to be out playing with my friends “The rhythm section is the meat of any show that show, Gerald in the neighborhood. But then my teacher George you do or any record you record,” he said. “I wanted Albright and Friends: The Man and His Music, with Turpeau had an old saxophone that he’d played in the to groove that way. It was a nice contrast fo me 10-day schedule of an all-star lineup, including Rick Braun, Larry Braggs, army and he thought he’d surprise me with it.” because I’ve been playing the saxophone for so long.” events / 10, 11 daughter Selina Albright and the Berks Jazz Fest Albright said he remembers the teacher opening In fact, if you listen to his records, you may also Horns. This show, featuring a hot segment dedicated the case and the instantaneous connection he had hear Albright playing any of the saxes, the fl ute, and to R&B legend James Brown, is slated for Friday, with the instrument. the EWI (electronic wind instrument). He’s also been guitar masters / 16 April 1, at 7 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. “You could just smell the history in the case,” known to still sit down at the keyboard, too, since However, he’ll begin his stay here this year with Albright said. “And then out popped this silver saxo- songwriting is often easier on that instrument. Guitars and Saxes on Sunday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at phone. You could tell it had stories to tell. He put the “I still play that to structure the music when I’m randy brecker: artist- the Sovereign Performing Arts Center, joining Kirk reed on the mouthpiece and let me play a note.” writing,” he said. Whalum, Peter White, Jeff Golub, Jeff Lorber and Eric The result was hardly indicative of Albright’s future Albright’s history also includes work as a session in-residence / 17 Marienthal. virtuosity on the instrument, but it was enough to musician with artists including Anita Baker, Ray He doesn’t stop there. He’ll be playing all week, hook him on the instrument for life. Parker, Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, Olivia Newton-John, the vista all-stars, with Chuck Loeb & Friends for The BeBop Sessions, “For me it was really more of just a squeak,” he the Temptations and Maurice White. He’s also been Wednesday, March 30, at 7 p.m. at Gerald Veas- said. “But the rest is history.” on tour with Les McCann, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, the jazz cruise / 18 ley’s Jazz Base; and in the Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, That history included a trip in 1978 to a Brothers the Winans, Marlena Shaw, Quincy Jones and Whitney Thursday, March 31, at 8 p.m. in the Crowne Plaza Johnson concert during which he found an additional Houston. Reading ballroom. musical calling. fest merchandise / 19 “I’m really happy about that,” Albright said. “I get a “I was just fl oored with the improvisations that Louis ALBRIGHT, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 21ST ANNUAL FESTIVAL GUIDE PUBLISHED BY READING EAGLE ALBRIGHT, FROM PAGE 1 “There’s no limitation to music. I’ll be playing everything He’s recorded more than a dozen CDs, from funk to love ballads to straight-ahead jazz. I like to including the 2010 Grammy-nominated see the different sides of what I do and my passions for Push the Envelope, which came out last year. different types of music.” Albright plays several instruments on his CDs and makes sure to write some of the music, too. Songwriting isn’t easy for him, but he’s usually touched by the result. “I’m not like Stevie Wonder sitting down and writing all those hit tunes,” he said. “I have to be in the mood for writing, but once I get in the mood I can stay in the studio for months. The fascination for me is to take a fragment of something and then broaden it into a four- or fi ve-part melody that becomes a complete composition.” Albright is looking forward to his time at Berks Jazz Fest, where he’ll be playing with lots of his friends including Brian Culbertson, SELINA ALBRIGHT Rick Braun, Larry Braggs, Peter White, Kirk she was four or fi ve years old,” Albright Whalum and Jeff Golub. said, “and thought, ‘Wow, she’s really got “I like to switch around,” Albright said. a gift.’ But it took her a while before she “There’s no limitation to music. I’ll be playing got serious about it. I’m so proud of her, everything from funk to love ballads to and performing with her is going to be a straight-ahead jazz. I like to see the different wonderful thing. I’m in my comfort zone. We sides of what I do and my passions for write music together too, and she’s a great different types of music.” lyricist and I’m good at composing the mu- And he’ll also be performing with his sic. We know each other so well, she can daughter Selina Albright. almost tell what I’m thinking. It’s nice to have “I started listening to her sing when that kind of closeness with your daughter.” albright at the fest... Experience all that Greater Reading has to offer sunday, march 27 ello jazz fans and welcome to the 21st graciously made this year’s festival possible inspire, advocate and Berks Arts Guitars and Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Hannual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest! with their continued support and efforts in promote diversifi ed Council Peter White, Jeff Golub plus special guests Jeff Lorber This festival is full of variety, excitement elevating the arts in Berks County. arts and entertainment receives state arts and Eric Marienthal and artistic energy, and is host to some of I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all forms in the community; funding sup- Sovereign Performing Arts Center • 7 p.m. • $49 the world’s top-ranking jazz musicians. of our corporate sponsors for their tremen- excitement about learn- port through There are many events and experiences dous investments in this outstanding event. ing; social causes that a grant from the wednesday, march 30 to be a part of while you are here in Greater I want to give a big thank you to the Berks address life’s realities and Pennsylvania Council The Bebop Sessions featuring Chuck Loeb, RIck Braun, Reading attending one of the most exciting Arts Council Board of Directors for their lead- economic stimulation. on the Arts, a state jazz festivals in the nation! ership in continuing to strive to create high- If you enjoy the festival, agency funded by the Randy Brecker, Brian Bromberg, Gerald Albright, Ada Rovatti, Commonwealth of We have a number of unique shops, his- quality interactive arts and entertainment please consider showing Pennsylvania and the Philippe Saisse and more toric sites and activities you will want to ex- experiences here in Greater Reading. I also your support by joining National Endowment Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Crowne Plaza Reading perience during your stay, from the Pagoda would like to extend a special thank you to for the Arts, a federal the Berks Arts Council. agency. 7 p.m. • $35 atop Mount Penn, which celebrated its 100th the 300+ volunteers of the Berks Jazz Fest, We have membership birthday in 2009, to the GoggleWorks Cen- without whom this festival would not be pos- information available at all thursday, march 31 ter for the Arts, which is one of the largest sible. Your dedication and passion for this of the Jazz Fest venues. Berks All-Star Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Randy Brecker, arts centers of its kind in the United States. event is truly inspiring and appreciated. Have a great time at the Boscov’s Berks Chuck Loeb, Chieli Minucci, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg, There is no shortage of adventures here in The Berks Arts Council is not just the Jazz Fest! Gerald Albright, Euge Groove, Philippe Saisse, Selina Albright, Berks County! Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. We have been Make sure you visit www.PennCorridor. promoting the arts in Berks County since Ada Rovatti, Frank Vignola and more com to view all of the activities and pos- 1969, when a group of local volunteer artists Crowne Plaza Reading Ballroom • 8 p.m.