the philadelphia bassist frank scott is woven into fabric of berks jazz fest award / 5 he VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest brings new names to jazz This year, Veasley is bringing Berks fans the Music of are great composers and producers, and the music’s so smooth jazz 92.7 and blues fans every year. But each year, audiences also Stevie Wonder. Veasley will be joined by special guests Na- adventurous. live broadcast Tlook forward to the perennial Berks favorites. jee, Nnenna Freelon, Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest “Chuck and I, we go way back. He produced part of Bassist Gerald Veasley is certainly a prime favorite, and Horns. The show is set for Saturday, March 28, at 10:30 (Veasley’s 2008 Heads Up release) Your Move. I always schedule / 12 a part of the Berks Jazz Fest family. p.m. and will be broadcast live on Channel 69 WFMZ. admired him as a producer.” He is the perfect blend of performance and personality. “I have an affinity for Stevie Wonder music because it Fans also will find Veasley jamming with Rick Braun, A Philadelphia native, was my favorite music growing up,” Veasley said. “I invited Loeb, Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., 10-day schedule by dana l. hoffman the charismatic Veasley people who share the same love for Stevie.” Dave Weckl, Bobby Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, of events / 10, 11 has played at the festival He said vocalist Nnenna Freelon put her own twist Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell and more at the in many capacities over the years, with his band, as part on Wonder’s songs on her album Tales of Wonder, and always-popular Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, Thursday, April 2, of his own Electric Mingus Project, as a special guest to saxman Najee recreated an entire album of Wonder tunes, at 10 p.m. at the Reading Crowne Hotel. severn records other artists including Pieces of a Dream, as a member of Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life: A Tribute to Education has been an important part of Veasley’s the Heads Up Super Band, and, as part of the Channel 69 Stevie Wonder, an all-instrumental interpretation of a Stevie career as well. He will host his ninth Bass Boot Camp at brings soul and WFMZ live broadcast for the past three years as well as Wonder 1976 classic album. the festival, from March 27-29 at the Reading Crowne blues to fest / 18 the very popular All-Star Jazz Jam. “Joe McBride is an artist in the mold of Stevie Wonder,” Hotel. He’ll be joined by legendary bassists Victor Wooten, Veasley is also one of the founders of Gerald Veasley’s Veasley said. “Music is just pouring through his skin.” Bryan Beller, Chris Farr, David Dyson, Andrew Gouché, Jazz Base in the Reading Crowne Hotel. The Jazz Base Veasley also can be seen as part of Metro, a fusion Adam Nitti, T.M. Stevens, Richard Waller III and Anthony joyce cooling is a venue for many Berks Jazz Fest concerts, as well group led by guitarist Chuck Loeb and keyboardist Mitch Wellington as faculty for the two-day intensive workshop. as great jazz shows every Thursday throughout the year. Forman, Saturday, April 4, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the He also teaches bass students in his home studio. NAMI benefit / 19 He released a live album, At The Jazz Base!, which was Jazz Base. recorded at the club in November 2004. “It’s a real treat to play with Metro,” Veasley said. “They VEASLEY, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 19th annual festival guide published by reading eagle A2 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

veasley, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 & Fire, Kenny Blake, Pamela Williams, Eric Marienthal, Onaje Alan Gumbs, Omar Hakim and many more. He has shared it’s a real treat to play with metro. The roots of his music run deep in his soul. stages and tours with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. “ Veasley started playing the bass at age 12 and recalls Since 1992’s Look Ahead, Veasley has released Signs, they are great composers learning a great deal from jam sessions at home with friends Soul Control, Love Letters, On the Fast Track, Velvet, and of his musically inclined parents. His parents’ hard work Your Move on the Heads Up label. and producers and the inspired him, and his outstanding high school career earned Love Letters (1999) was Veasley’s last album to feature Veasley a four-year full academic scholarship to the University Grover Washington Jr. before his death at the end of that music’s so adventurous. of Pennsylvania. During his third year, Veasley lost his father. same year. Washington had appeared on all of Veasley’s solo ” To deal with the loss, he focused on music. Veasley taught albums, and Veasley paid tribute to his friend and mentor with himself how to improvise, transcribe solos and studied chord “Goodnight Moon,” a tune on his 2001 release, On the Fast progressions, and he took up studying classical guitar to Track. expand his range as a musician. When not teaching or wowing audiences, Veasley is “When my father died, I had a hard time coming to grips producing for other artists. He produced part of saxophonist with the loss, and the music proved very therapeutic,” he said. Andrew Neu’s new album. “I thought, ‘If music can have that kind of healing effect on me, “We’re just finishing up,” Veasley said. “At a young age, he’s maybe I can spend my life creating music that can do the already a master.” same for others.’ ” With his skill and versatility apparent both on and off the He came to appreciate Weather Report and Return to stage, it’s easy to see why Veasley is such a favorite here at Forever as much as he appreciated Earth, Wind & Fire and Berks. Smokey Robinson. Veasley has cited Jaco Pastorius, Anthony For more information: www.geraldveasley.com; Jackson and Stanley Clarke as his main influences on electric www.geraldveasleysjazzbase.com bass. In the 1980s, Veasley had developed into a versatile and reputable sideman and session player. He joined longtime mentor and friend Grover Washington Jr.’s band in 1986 and if you go... played on six of the sax player’s recordings. “Grover was a gentle human being who I think about every saturday, march 28 day,” Veasley said. “I feel like a steward of his legacy, a The Music of Stevie Wonder: Gerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon, legacy of honest, heartfelt music. It’s better to play one note Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns that sounds like you, than a hundred that sound like someone Reading Crowne Hotel • 10:30 p.m. • $39 else.” Having held the music of Weather Report and Pastorius thursday, april 2 in such high regard, Veasley was delighted when, in 1988, Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, featuring Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Dave Weather Report co-founder and legendary jazz fusion pioneer Weckl, Bobby Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Joe Zawinul hired him as a sideman. Veasley toured the world Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell and more with his idol until 1995. Reading Crowne Hotel • 10 p.m. • $39 “That was a real education, on and off the bandstand,” he saturday, april 4 said. Metro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl, He has recorded and/or performed with McCoy Tyner, The Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley, Bob Franceschini Dixie Hummingbirds, Odean Pope, Special EFX, labelmate Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel Joe McBride, Teddy Pendergrass, Phil Perry, Chieli Minucci, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. • $35 Dianne Reeves, George Howard, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind Enjoy Greater Reading during the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest

Welcome one and all to the 19th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz last year celebrated its 100th birthday; the GoggleWorks Center 1958-2009 Fest! for the Arts in Reading, one of the largest arts centers of its kind in Our festival this year is jam packed with a variety of jazz events, the United States; and the Reading Public Museum in West Reading, thanks to our general manager John Ernesto, who works on the with a world-class collection of art and antiquities, as well as a Jody Rex, 50, a local artist, festival year-round to make sure we have one of the most exciting planetarium and 25-acre park. school teacher and longtime festivals in the nation. I’d like to thank all of our corporate sponsors for their tremen- Berks Jazz Fest volunteer, Be sure to stop and shop at the VF Outlet Village on your way to dous support of this outstanding event, our Board of Directors, our passed away on March 10 after any of the Jazz Fest concerts. VF Outlet has graciously donated the more than 300 volunteers and the Berks Arts Council full-time, part- a brave battle with brain cancer. use of their shuttles to transport hotel guests to and from the vari- time and seasonal staff who make this festival possible. Rex gave her time and talents ous venues and to the VF Outlet Village. Look for the colorful shuttle The Berks Arts Council is not just the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest. to many organizations, including pass -- with a $5 off a $50 purchase coupon at VF Outlet -- at the We are engaged all year in a variety of other community programs the Berks Arts Council, Berks hotels and venues. With over 70 stores, there is fantastic shopping you’ll want to check out! Visit www.berksarts.org to see all that we Arts Alliance, Reading School to be done at the Village! do. District, RCP and Genesius While you’re here in Greater Reading, be sure to explore all of If you enjoy the festival, please consider showing your support theaters, and Art Plus Gallery. the businesses along the Penn Corridor, running along Penn Street by joining the Berks Arts Council. We have membership information She approached each day with and Penn Avenue from City Park, Reading, out to Wyomissing, available at all of the Jazz Fest venues. optimism and passion for life. who have “Welcome Berks Jazz Fest Fans” signs in their windows. Have a great time at the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest! She will be missed by the Many will have special discounts to coincide with the festival. Berks Jazz Fest family. There’s plenty to do while you’re here during Jazz Fest week, or you can “take a ride” back to Berks County for a future visit. All of the Corridor activities are listed on www.PennCorridor.com. We have a number of unique shops, historic sites and activities Connie Leinbach about this section. . . you will want to visit, including The Pagoda atop Mount Penn, which Executive Director, Berks Arts Council This section is a product of the Marketing/Promotions Department of Reading Eagle Company, publisher of the Reading Eagle. Lisa N. Johnson designed and organized the section. Dana L. Hoffman edited and coordinated the section. Both are of the Marketing/Promo- tions Department. R. Andrew Lepley provided photography. Also contributing to the section were Jonathan Widran, Cat Davis, and Berks Arts Council staff. Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A3 A4 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

WORKSHOPS, ClinICS, Medley of educational events youth performances nuture jazz in young musicians SCHEDULE Saturday, March 28 and April 4 ● by dana l. hoffman will be interactive on stage with the kids.” The play was written by Larry and Vivian Cows Don’t Fly and Other Well-Known Facts Primary Stages Jazz Fest for Kids theater performance “Get JazzED” is being presented by Voices, Snipes, and is geared toward ages 2-8. Heslop Location: Institute of the Arts, Wyomissing azz is America’s true art form, and it’s vital the teen publication in each Tuesday’s Reading said the show includes two professional Time: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to keep that art alive by introducing and sharing Eagle, and is being underwritten by a grant musicians paired with two student musicians, it with younger people. Admission: $7 at the door or $6 ($5 members) in advance. J from The Reading Musical Foundation. An thanks to a grant through the Reading Musical For more information: 610-376-1576; www.institute-of-arts.org Along with presenting 10 days of amazing additional sponsor is Project Penske. Foundation. ● Get JazzED musical entertainment, the VF Outlet Berks The event will close with a free community “It turns out to be great for everybody,” he Hands-on educational workshop Jazz Fest also serves as an educational tool for concert at KU’s Schaeffer Auditorium, featuring said. local young musicians. Location: Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band and The Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band Time: registration 12:30 p.m.; workshop 1 p.m. This year, the education committee, headed the Kutztown University Jazz Ensemble I, which will once again play with the United States For more information: www.berksjazzfest.com/educational; by coordinators Chris Heslop, Mike Eben and will include the KU jazz faculty and special Army Jazz Ambassadors on Tuesday, March www.berksjazzjam.com Carl Zeplin, has planned “Get JazzED,” a day- guests. 31, at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Crowne Hotel, ● long program for young musicians on Sunday, Steve Smith Drum Clinic For year-round jazz education opportunities following an afternoon workshop with the Location: Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base, Reading Crowne Hotel March 29, at Kutztown University. in Berks County, students can go to www. Ambassadors. Time: 1 p.m. Eight schools are bringing full bands for a berksjazzjam.com. Returning for its ninth year, Gerald Veasley’s For more information: www.berksjazzfest.com day of workshops, clinics, adjudications and Another unique educational event of a Bass Bootcamp, March 27-29 at the Reading ● Community Concert with Berks County All-Star Jazz Band performances, all culminating in a gala concert. different scope is Primary Stages Jazz Fest Crowne Hotel, gives students the opportunity and Kutztown University Jazz I with KU Jazz Faculty Educators will be Kutztown University faculty for Kids theater performances at the Institute to learn from world-class bassists Victor Woo- Location: Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University members Kevin Kjos, who heads the jazz of the Arts in Wyomissing. The performances ten, Veasley, Chris Farr, David Dyson and more. Time: 5 p.m. studies program, as well as Allison Miller, David are slated for throughout March and April, with Hall of Fame drummer Steve Smith, here Admission: FREE Cullen, Adam Koelker, Alan Apple and Scott fourt shows during the festival on March 28 this year with Vital Information, is presenting his Sunday, March 29 Lee. They will be joined by guest clinicians and April 4, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. drum clinic, March 28 at the Crowne, from 1 ● Jazz Worship: Jazz Combo & Big Band plus Kutztown Ingrid Jensen and Michael Davis, both New “Original jazz music is put to an existing play,” p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Middle School Jazz Band York-based musicians. Heslop said, who wrote the music for this As always, the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest Location: St. John’s United Church of Christ, Kutztown “The day is not about competitions,” Heslop year’s show, titled “Cows Don’t Fly and Other makes it a goal to not only entertain, but Time: 10 a.m. said. “It’s strictly educational. These clinicians Well Known Facts.” educate as well. For more information: www.stjohnsucc.org; 610-683-8531 ● Worship Service: Reading High School Castleaires Under the direction of Charlie DiCarne ’09 BERKS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR JAZZ BAND Location: Grace Lutheran Church Time: 10:30 a.m. Alto saxophones: Trumpets: Piano: David Fahim (Kutztown) Guest conductor: For more information: www.readinggrace.com; 610-375-3961 Andrew Mohler( Kutztown) Owen Trexler (Wilson) Guitar: Dylan Cowell (Kutztown) Dr. Kevin Kjos, Tuesday, March 31 Kutztown University ● Seth Ebersole (Gov. Mifflin) David Quarmley (Kutztown) Bass: Nicholas Shaw (Muhlenberg) United States Army Jazz Ambassadors Big band plus the Tenor saxophones: Carmen Ebersole (Gov. Mifflin) County coordinator: Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band Drums: Jordan McCree (Reading) Location: Reading Crowne Hotel Nathan Bellott (Gov. Mifflin) Dylan Hinnershitz (Muhlenberg) Doug Matz, Kutztown Kris Hartman (Kutztown) Vibes: Adam Rabenold (Kutztown) Time: 7:30 p.m. Jordan Graef (Boyertown) Area High School Admission: FREE with ticket Vocals: Carmen Ebersole (Gov. Mifflin) Baritone saxophones: Trombones: Nathaniel Eshleman (Boyertown) Saturday, April 4 Matthew Haelig (Fleetwood) ● Workshop* prior to McCoy Tyner’s 7:30 p.m. performance Harry Trexler (Wilson) at the Miller Center for the Arts Bradley Richard (Boyertown) Workshop Admission: FREE Adam Rudderow (Muhlenberg) * is part of a grant from American Masterpieces Program of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation

Michele Byrne-designed logo selected for use on festival merchandise

by ashley gellert life have been sitting and having conversations berks arts council intern with my friends and family,” says Byrne. “These moments I never want to lose. The essence ach year, the Berks Arts Council looks for an of my paintings is an attempt to have these artist to design a unique logo for its VF Outlet moments live forever. I call this the art of conver- Berks Jazz Fest merchandise, which is supplied sation.” Eby Lasting Image Promotional Products & Apparel. Byrne also has published two books: “The This year, that honor went to Michele Art of Conversation” (2002) and “The Art of Byrne, an artist from West Lawn. The four jazz Conversation: Manhattan” (2006). musicians in the logo were pulled from Byrne’s Byrne’s artwork has been featured in nearly painting, “In Sync.” 10 solo exhibitions and nearly 40 group and place in the recent Frank Scott Memorial Art Byrne is well-known for “The Art of Conversa- juried exhibitions in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Show:The Art of Jazz. tion:” paintings through which Byrne captures York, Florida, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Byrne earned a bachelor’s degree in fine intimate moments of communication – among Byrne’s awards include an Award of Excel- arts and communication design, with a minor in friends at restaurants or between a mother and lence at the Wayne Plein Air Festival in Wayne, illustration/painting from Kutztown University. daughter at home – that might go unnoticed by and a People’s Choice Award and Award of Ex- For more information about Byrne’s accom- others. cellence at Paint Annapolis (Md.), both in 2007. plishments and art, visit her Web site at www. “Some of the most precious moments of my Byrne’s painting “The Jazz Singers” won first michelebyrne.com Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A5

Erwin Chandler’s GAMUT project will Erwin Chandler receives perform Sunday, March 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a special 2009 Frank Scott award brunch at The Inn at Reading. by kristina sunanday Chandler is the co-founder of the Berkshire Brass berks arts council intern Quintet and shares, with his wife Patricia, a music studio. In addition to being a very active French horn he Berks Arts Council’s Frank Scott Award is given and piano player, Chandler also is a composer. He annually during the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest to has composed over 700 songs, receiving many honor local, late jazz legend Frank Scott’s memory T commissions and awards, including the esteemed and his contribution to the jazz heritage in Berks George Washington Medal of Honor for high achieve- County. Honorees are selected for this award ment in composition for his orchestral work “The based on their artistic ability as a jazz musician, as Constitution.” well as their active involvement in giving back to Chandler received a master’s degree of music the community. Each individual has significantly from Indiana University. After college, he became a influenced jazz music in a positive way throughout free-lance musician, performing as part of the the community. orchestra for musicians such as Johnny Mathis, This year’s award will be presented to local Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John and Andy Williams. musician and music teacher Erwin Chandler Locally, he has performed with the Reading immediately before the Doc Mulligan and Friends Symphony Orchestra, the Pottstown Symphony programs at Lehigh Valley College. the sound of jazz, and played a vital role in much of concert, Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m. at the Miller Orchestra, the Allegheny Music Festival Orchestra Frank Scott, for whom the award is dedicated, Berks County’s jazz programming. Center for the Arts. Past recipients were Robert and the Reading Brass Quintet. He is a longtime was born on June 24, 1923, in Reading. Throughout His album, Never Too Old to Dream, captured “Doc” Mulligan, Toni Lynne, Wayne “Al” Seifarth and member of the Reading Pops Orchestra and has his musical career, Scott played with many notable the heart and soul of his generosity which translates Michael Eben. conducted many jazz shows. An active music musicians such as Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, and through his music. “I am very honored and thrilled to be among this teacher, Chandler has taught students French horn Bill Haley and the Comets. Scott opened two group of people,” Chandler said. “I knew Frankie and and piano in the Fleetwood and Hershey school nightclubs in the Reading area which had a great The award was founded and underwritten by the admired everything he did.” districts, as well as through summer camp influence on the community, opening people up to JerLyn Foundation. vf outlet berks jazz fest team

Festival management: Connie Leinbach, executive director; John Ernesto, Reading Buccaneers: Joan Antosy, Patrick Antosy, Peg Bainbridge, Drew Hospitality: Cat Davis, coordinator; Liz Danielski; Rita Miller; Marvanne Kouvaros, general manager. Brannen, Gary Choyka, Maryann Choyka, Allison Fassnacht, Jean Heckman, Mary High, Janet Danner, Awilda Goodwin, Kate Peires. Chuck Jacobs, Laura Kauffman, Wayne Kauffman, Wayne Koller, Tyler Kulp, Jay Landis, Berks Arts Council Board of Directors: Ralia Vardaxis, president; Jim Volunteer Coordinator: Matthew Serio Yvonne Landis, Bill Levin, Brad Mea, Ed Mea, Jean Miller, Joel Miller, Thomas Moore, Landrigan, vice president of programs; Craig Rosenfeld, vice president of administra- Ian O’Mara, Mary Eileen Ormsby, Tim Ormsby, Jeff Oxenford, Leslie Rickert, Chuck House managers: Connie Leinbach, Robert Coleman, Brenda Hartman, Beth tion; Lidia Zidik, secretary; Theodore Bassano, Treasurer; Chuck Koch, past president; Runkle, Thomas Siegfried, Bill Snook, Donnie Solinger, Rich Stekeur, Rick Thomson, Renfro, Matthew Serio. Ronald Bair; Karen Baxter; Alvin Booth; Gloria Day; Marilyn Fox; Bernard Gerber; Jordan Tuthill, Jerry Ware, Daniel Wildonger, Fred Windish, Bruce Young. Matthew Golden; Kay Haring; Melvyn Jacobson; William G. Koch, CPA; Chris Kraras; House captains & assistant house captains: Mark Shearer, Pauline Heckman, Dr. Julia Matthews; Sandra McCarthy; Thomas McMahon; Dr. Robert Metzger; Regina EMTs: Dale Berta, Pamela Berta, Deb Greusel, Janet Koontz. Ray Heffner, David Pepper, Ron Wentzel. Gouger Miller; Sharon Patterson; Rev. Dr. Harry Serio; Lisa Tiger; Josée Vachon. Grants: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; Reading Musical Foundation; Marketing/Publicity: Beth Renfro, marketing director; Dana Hoffman, publicity BAC Staff: Connie Leinbach, executive director; Beth Renfro, director of market- Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation/NEA; Pennsylvania Presenters; County of Berks; director; Lisa Johnson, graphic artist. ing and public relations; Matthew Serio, program manager; Gary Spencer, production State Sen. Michael A. O’Pake. Logo 2009 Graphic Design: Original art by Michele Byrne and assisted by manager; Robert Coleman, controller; Brenda Hartman, administrative assistant; Tara Lisa Johnson. Miller, office assistant; Lynn Stimeling, artists services; Ashley Gellert, intern-Kutztown Sponsor development: Connie Leinbach, John Ernesto, Jim Landrigan, Craig University; Kristina Sunanday, intern-Alvernia University Rosenfeld, Matthew Golden, Ron Bair, Sharon Patterson, Bernard Gerber. Ticketing: Brian Sipe, Megan Nuding, Heather Soltysik, Hope Parkin, Michelle Lamonica. Festival Production: Gary Spencer, festival production manager; Cat Davis, Media sponsors: Reading Eagle Company, Lasting Image Promotional Products, festival assistant production manager. Berks County Living Magazine (IDP Publications), Smooth Jazz News Magazine, Jazz Merchandise: Matthew Serio, Lasting Image. Times Magazine, Wine and Jazz Magazine, Philly.com, Smooth Jazz 92.7 WSJW-FM, Stage Managers: Mark Rentschler, Joanne Phillipczak, Bruce Morton, Stanley WXPN-FM, WEEU 830 AM, WDIY 88.1 FM, WRTI-FM, WFMZ-TV, Berks Community Music programming: John Ernesto, Gary Spencer, John Graff. Danner, Mitchell Grove, Lee Reiniger, Karen Haver, David Kurzweg, Robert Grinnage, Television (BCTV), LAND Displays Inc., Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising, Lamar Festival Photography: R. Andrew Lepley Matthew Cullen, Steven Haver, Randy Lockhart. Advertising. Security Coordinator: Bill Katinowsky, coordinator; Desmond Kelley, assistant Production Crew: Chris Bashore, Jimi Klopp, Ron Reber, Scott Rhoads, Ruby Community sponsors: Buddies Nursery, Inc., David & Mary Carlino, Clinical coordinator. Smith, Chip Strunk, Mercedes Spradley, Connie Sweigart, Lisa & George Schmidt, Research Center, Coca-Cola, Commerce Bank, The Dance Hall Docs, Gallen Insurance, Debbie & Jim Landrigan, Steve Philipczak, Mike Anderson, Barry Ellis, Suzie Ernesto, IBEW Local 743, Kuhn Funeral Home, Masano Auto Group, Neo-Pangea, Reading Transportation: John Graff, coordinator, Peg Bainbridge, Frank Gutekunst, Chuck Glenn Curtier, Gregory Goodwin, Lawrence Hartman III, Joe Malone, Ken Perod, Tish Music Academy, Reading Precast, Inc., Rhythmic Exercises, Sterling Financial Advi- Koch, Randall Miller, Robert Miller, Nancy O’Neill, Mary Eileen Ormsby, Paul Pawelski, Rodriguez, Lenny Stinson, James Winfield, Jimmy Diana, Thomas Brown, Greg Staron, sors LLC, The Water Guy, Vision Auto Group, Weik Investment Services, West Reading Reading Buccaneers. Mike Piscatelli, Lyn & Greg Walker, Richard Bennett, Nina Beverly, Roger Levesque, Tavern, Wireless Microsystems Corp., Eagle Distributing/Miller Lite. Web site/database: Patty Mahlon, Kevin Lawrence, Carrie Fritz, Jay Crouse, Kay & Walter Nixon, Mary Beth Salla, Michael Grinnage, Leslie & Art Stricek, Jeff Dave Kauffman, Michael Kocher. Oxenford, Brad Van Etten, Connie Andrews, Ray Heffner, Kyle Smith, Ty Roberts, Hotel sponsors: Reading Crowne Hotel, Inn at Reading, Hampton Inn, Country Inn Josh Cusatis, Michael Butler. and Suites, Days Inn Wyomissing, Comfort Inn Reading, Econo Lodge Wyomissing, Workshops/youth activities: Chris Heslop, coordinator; Carl Zeplin, Shannon Bed and Breakfast On the Park, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Best Western Reading Sunday, Doug Matz, Mike Eben, Andrea Stover, Josh Taylor, John Loos, Glen Technical support: Mark Burford, John Greene Jr. Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Abraham Lincoln Hotel/Wyndham Reading. Brumbach, Dan Long, Al Seifarth, Robert “Doc” Mulligan, Rick Dietrich, Kevin Kjos.

Support the Berks Jazz Fest! Join the Berks Arts Council. www.berksarts.org • 610.898.1930 A6 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran Sax for Stax: other great R&B influences, the late Luther Vandross and Acquainted with the Night. The album generated two His name may be synonymous with smooth jazz cruis- Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum songwriter/artist Babyface. His latest urban jazz album top-five singles on R&R’s NAC chart. The follow up album, ing since organizing, promoting, headlining and becoming • Saturday, March 28, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel is Roundtrip (2007) and he recently released The Gospel Love’s Silhouette, also scored top radio chart positioning the namesake of the popular Warren Hill’s Smooth Jazz Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) According To Jazz, Chapter III. and Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart top 10 status. Cruise from 2004-2006, but longtime fans know that the www.geraldalbright.com; www.kirkwhalum.com Their 15th and most recent album is 2006’s acclaimed Toronto-born, Colorado-based saxophonist has been one Berks Jazz Fest fans and ultra-romantic Pillow Talk. of the key movers and shakers in the genre for close to will be treated to a familiar Average White Band plus Pieces of a Dream When Lloyd, Harmon and former Pieces bassist Cedric 20 years. superstar sax pairing as Napoleon decided to turn pro and go for the big time in After several popular albums with Narada Jazz — Gerald Albright and Kirk • Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) the late ’70s, they named their band after a collective vi- including Love Life, Love Songs and A Warren Hill Whalum take the stage in sion of music and hope. On some early gigs, they played Christmas, which earned critical acclaim for its unique the Reading Crowne Hotel This first of two annual Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener a Stanley Turrentine bossa nova number called “Pieces of mix of pop, R&B and straight ahead jazz influences — Hill Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Dreams” and the name fit perfectly. joined Native Language and released the successful Reading Hotel). The two Appreciation concerts will feature two beloved urban www.averagewhiteband.com; www.piecesjazz.com Popjazz in 2005. One of the great joys of Hill’s music shared a similar bill at the fest since his 1991 debut Kiss Under the Moon is his amazing Gerald Albright pop/jazz ensembles that have in 2006 and in 2007 were David Benoit plus Warren Hill stylistic diversity; one minute, he’s searing your soul with part of the Guitars & Saxes been grooving heavily since the mid-’70s: Average White • Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel a bedroom eyes song like “The Passion Theme” and the finale at the Scottish Rite next he’s daring you to keep still on hard-core funk gems Cathedral, along with Band and Pieces of a Dream. Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) Average White Band is The second Smooth Jazz like “Subway Slam” (from 1997’s Shelter) or Latin jams guitarists Jeff Golub and like “Mambo 2000.” He made his debut on Koch Records widely regarded as one of the average white band 92.7 Listener Appreciation Tim Bowman. in 2008 with the popular, critically acclaimed and very Aside from being two of best soul and funk bands in Day event at the 2009 Berks the history of music. Though Jazz Fest features contem- sweet La Dolce Vita. smooth jazz’s most soulful www.benoit.com; www.warrenhill.com and dynamic veteran perform- perhaps best known for porary jazz superstars David their timeless instrumental Benoit and Warren Hill. Jeff ers, Albright and Whalum have Berks All-Star Jazz Jam featuring No. 1 mega-hit “Pick Up the Kashiwa will be joining Benoit something very important in Kirk Whalum Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg, common — a mutual love Pieces,” the band’s strength as part of his quartet for this Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Dave Weckl, Bobby Lyle, for the music and legacy of Grover Washington Jr. They actually lie in their consistently show. Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson spent several years touring with Jeff Lorber as part of the accomplished songwriting, A vital creative force in david benoit Rangell, Matt Marshak and more ongoing Groovin’ For Grover phenomenon, paying tribute stretching across several gold- contemporary jazz over • Thursday, April 2, 10 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel to the Philly saxman whose brilliant blend of pop, soul and selling albums and multiple pieces of a dream two decades after hits like Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) Grammy nominations. Though “Freedom At Midnight,” “Kei’s jazz helped lay the foundation for the popular genre. One of the most highly anticipated shows of any Berks the six founding members — who launched the band in Song” and “Every Step Of In 2008, Albright celebrated two key anniversaries a Jazz Fest is the annual Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, which the early ’70s—hail from Dundee, Scotland, they took the The Way” broke ground on year late with the release of his on-fire, classic funk and transforms the Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom into a influences of their American R&B heroes and developed the thriving genre, David soul-kissed second Peak Records disc Sax For Stax. funky, jamming, smooth grooving, edgy fusion paradise their own sound, which was eagerly adopted by urban Benoit came Full Circle on his 2007 marked 20 years since he burst onto the contem- where all bets are off and improvisations rule until well audiences in the U.S. and elsewhere. 2006 release which spawned porary urban jazz scene with his debut Just Between Us. past midnight. While a good number of their most popular tracks, “Beat Street,” his No. 1 Radio ’07 was also the year that Stax Records, now part of the This year, all of the participants are performing in other from “Cut The Cake” to “Let’s Go Round Again” attracted & Records single that stayed Concord Records family, celebrated its 50th anniversary. warren hill settings at the festival, showing the diversity of talent chart action as hit singles, many of their lesser-known on the chart for an entire year. This dynamic mixed bag of eight classics and three hitting the stage for this once-in-a-lifetime show. First the album cuts became much sampled and turntabled “rare” On Heroes, the first of two releases for Peak Records in thematically and geographically appropriate originals guitarists: Chuck Loeb is performing with the fusion band grooves. The current lineup of the band, which features 2008, the five-time Grammy-nominated pianist celebrated (“Memphis Passion,” “Walkin’ Down Beale Street” with Metro, Paul Jackson Jr. is doing a Jimmy Smith/Wes several U.S. recruits augmenting founding members Alan 30-plus years as a recording artist by putting fresh, exu- Whalum and “WC Handy Hop”) featured songs everyone Montgomery Tribute with keyboardist Bobby Lyle, and Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre, continues to record and tour berant spins on classic songs by legendary pop, rock and has heard a million times jazzed and sassed up better Chieli Minucci is headlining with his band Special EFX and around the world to ongoing critical and audience acclaim. jazz artists whose brilliance inspired his own. than ever — “Knock On Wood,” “Respect Yourself” and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns. Their most recent release Soul & The City captures the Since breaking through to instrumental stardom in the “Never Can Say Goodbye.” The titles of his final two GRP Bassists Gerald Veasley and Brian Bromberg are keep- excitement of a 2006 live performance at B.B. King’s. mid-’80s with his inimitable jazz-funk version of “Linus and albums before signing with Peak, Groovology (2002) and ing busy elsewhere, too. Veasley is performing with Metro Since being discovered as teenagers in the late ’70s Lucy,” Benoit has regaled hundreds of thousands of fans Kickin’ It Up (2004), epitomize his energized, forward- and also headlining at the WFMZ Live Broadcast, perform- by the late sax legend (and fellow Philly native) Grover worldwide with frequent tributes to Vince Guaraldi and thinking approach to music. ing the Music of Stevie Wonder with special guests Najee Washington Jr., Pieces of a Dream — pianist James Lloyd, the music of Peanuts. His ongoing passion culminated Whalum, who previously honored Washington with the and Nnenna Freelon. Bromberg is playing with Rick Braun, drummer Curtis Harmon, along with numerous other with his second 2008 release Jazz For Peanuts – A cleverly titled “Groverworked and Underpaid” on his 2000 Phillippe, Saisse and Ricky Lawson as part of the Chet musicians over the years — has evolved into one of the Retrospective of the Charlie Brown Television Themes, a album Unconditional, never officially performed with his Baker Tribute II. most popular and enduring recording and touring bands celebration of Guaraldi’s impact on several generations of hero, but both were signed to Sony Music for years. After The five-piece brass section at the All-Star Jam in contemporary jazz. jazz musicians featuring six dynamic new tracks, (three a few years of on and off touring with BWB alongside promises to be spectacular, with Rick Braun (who is also In 2001, Pieces of a Dream signed with Heads Up composed by Benoit, three by Guaraldi), five of which are former labelmates Rick Braun and Norman Brown— and performing with Jazz Attack) and Nelson Rangell (fronting several projects exploring his first love, gospel music International and celebrated their 25th anniversary with newly expanded arrangements of TV cues that have never — Whalum has enjoyed performing the music of two what was undoubtedly their best album in years, been previously recorded. JAM, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Support the Berks Jazz Fest! Join the Berks Arts Council. www.berksarts.org • 610.898.1930 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A7

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran JAM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Rick Braun’s Tribute to Chet Baker albums in which he plays both the bassline and melody. Upon first listen, many • Saturday, April 4, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom listeners will be surprised to learn that, although soaring guitar can be heard the Reading Pops Orchestra) joining The Sax Pack of Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole throughout the album, Bromberg’s 2005 release Metal contains only Bromberg One of the most talked about shows at the and Kim Waters. on two overdubbed basses, one of which is heavily effects-laden to make it 2008 Berks Jazz Fest was Rick Braun’s beautiful Keyboardist Mitch Forman is headlining Fusion Saturday with Metro while sound like an electric guitar. The Tucson, Ariz. native’s most recent recording and intimate Tribute To Chet Baker show. This piano great Bobby Lyle is doing the Jimmy Smith portion of the tribute that is 2007’s Downright Upright, and he performed at the 2007 Berks Jazz Fest year’s highly anticipated follow-up performance also features Paul Jackson Jr. paying homage to Wes Montgomery. Drummer with his Downright Upright All-Stars features Braun playing more classics from the Dave Weckl is also part of the Metro live experience at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz In addition to a thriving solo recording career, Bromberg has performed trumpet icon’s catalog with the support of fellow Base. with a virtual who’s who of smooth, straight ahead and Latin jazz (Arturo contemporary jazz stalwarts, keyboardist Philippe Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, Boney James) and as a producer has scored eight Joe Bonamassa plus Marianne Keith Saisse, drummer Ricky Lawson and bassist Brian Top Ten (and two No. 1) smooth jazz hits. Bromberg. • Wednesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerly www.brianbromberg.net Sheraton Reading Hotel) Two decades after his tragic death in Amster- rick braun dam, trumpet legend Chet Baker — a primary Blues-rock guitar virtuoso, vocalist and Anat Cohen quartet exponent of the West Coast school of cool jazz in the early and mid-’50s — songwriter Joe Bonamassa kicked off 2007 with • Sunday, March 29, 3 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts has never been more popular. In 2005, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and the honor of being named Best Blues Guitarist by the Oklahoma House of Representatives paid homage to their native son Renowned saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Guitar Player Magazine’s readership in their annual by proclaiming July 2 “Chet Baker Day.” Reissues and collections of Baker’s Cohen headlines the Jewish Federation of Reading Reader’s Choice Awards. The year continued with music continue to be released on a regular basis. Day at the Berks Jazz Festival. the release of Sloe Gin, Bonamassa’s seventh solo His generally restrained, intimate playing style attracted legions of fans and Originally from Tel Aviv, the versatile musician album and fourth on his own J&R Adventures label inspired several generations of contemporary trumpet players, including Chris is rapidly becoming a major force on the global which featured a mix of heavy blues, big rock and Botti — who is now exclusively recording mellow, orchestrated music after a world music and jazz scene, with performances in textured acoustic tracks that he says was inspired successful run in smooth jazz — and Braun. Tribute II will again bring musical Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America. in part by Rod Stewart’s legendary 1969 debut Joe Bonamassa history alive for those who may know more about the pain that fueled Baker’s Aside from her extraordinary instrumental abilities solo LP; the disc reunited him with producer Kevin longtime drug addictions than his brilliant recordings. on soprano and tenor saxes, clarinet and flute, Shirley, whose all-star rock credits include Joe Satri- anat cohen In addition to a thriving solo recording career, Bromberg has performed she has a natural ability to absorb the music of ani, Black Crowes, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. with a virtual who’s who of smooth, straight ahead and Latin jazz (Arturo San- different cultures, process it and interpret it with Shirley previously produced Bonamassa’s doval, Herbie Hancock, Boney James) and as a producer has scored eight top her own special take. You & Me, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s 10 (and two No. 1) smooth jazz hits. His latest recording is Downright Upright, After performing extensively in Israel, Cohen spent two years as a saxo- Blues chart in June 2006 (all of Joe’s albums have which was nominated for a Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2008. phonist and clarinetist with the Israeli Air Force Big Band. A scholarship to the either hit No. 1 or gone Top 10). Modern Guitars After making his recording debut on Al DiMeola’s 1979 effort Splendido Berklee College of Music brought her to Boston in 1996. After graduating with Magazine called the disc, “one of the best blues- Hotel, the versatile Saisse expanded into pop and contemporary jazz session her BA in Professional Music from Berklee, she moved to New York City where rock CDs to come about in quite a while…destined work with David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Peabo Bryson, Tina Turner, she continues to perform with various bands in the city as well as keeping a to be a classic.” NPR host George Graham wrote, Marianne Keith David Sanborn and the Rolling Stones. Saisse’s most recent projects as an busy international touring schedule. “Almost four decades ago, British rockers who arranger/keyboard player include three of Rod Stewart’s platinum The Great Cohen has been a longtime member of DIVA and Five Play. She is featured played bluesy guitar became the heroes on their instruments, people like American Song Book projects and a duet with Céline Dion and Charles Azna- on their latest CD, Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Live in Concert. Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Joe Bonamassa carries on that tradition vour. His most recent album, 2006’s acoustic-driven covers disc The Body and While with DIVA, Anat has had the opportunity to perform with guest artists … Bonamassa is in every way their equal.” Soul Sessions, was released on Dave Koz’s label Rendezvous Music. such as Nancy Wilson, Dave Brubeck, Slide Hampton and Diane Schuur. His acclaim over the years has included: “The New King of Blues” (Guitarist A founding member of the Yellowjackets and a Grammy-winning composer, Cohen is also an integral part of a group called Choro Ensemble, the only Magazine); “Right now, there’s no better blues-rock artist than Bonamassa” Lawson has collaborated with many artists including Michael Jackson, Eric New York–based ensemble dedicated to the authentic instrumental choro tradi- (Gibson.com); “Bonamassa is a bold talent” (Billboard); “Wicked guitar thrills” Clapton, Steely Dan, Phil Collins, Babyface, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, tion of Brazil. The group was a featured guest artist at the Apollo Theater with (Washington Post); and “This kid deserves to be in the same class with Stevie Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Russell Ferrante, Toto, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. She began to perform Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck” (rock guitarist Ted Nugent after a Lionel Richie and many others. as a bandleader in New York City clubs in 2004, when she debuted her quartet jam with Bonamassa for VH-1’s “Supergroup.”) www.rickbraun.com at Sweet Rhythm. Widely renowned for his insanely fluid phrasing and post-modern fusion of She has also been a member of Duduka Da Fonseca’s NY Samba Jazz electric British blues, traditional Delta blues and rock ‘n roll chops, Bonamassa Brian Bromberg Quartet featuring Dave Weckl, Chuck Loeb, (Brazilian Jazz), Brazooca Band (Brazilian Pop Music – MPB), Argentinean told Guitar Player in 2005, “When I play blues, I try to think a little outside the Mitch Forman and Nelson Rangell pianist/composer Pablo Ablanedo’s Octet Mango Blue (an Afro Latin Band box, while still paying tribute to the founding fathers like Muddy Waters and led by Ecuadorian Bassist Alex Alvear), and has recorded and toured with Robert Johnson.” • Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Colombian bassist/composer Juan Sebastian Monsalve (Bunde Nebuloso with Bonamassa actively serves as the youngest-ever member of the Memphis, Crowne Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Reading Hotel) Jason Lindner and Jeff Ballard). Tennessee-based Blues Foundation’s board of directors, and is the lead A versatile acoustic and electric bassist who www.anatcohen.com spokesperson for their highly respected Blues In The Schools program, which has mastered numerous subgenres in the jazz educates students nationwide about the legacy and influence of the blues. realm — straight-ahead jazz, funk, smooth urban Brian Culbertson His latest CD, released in February, is the Ballad of John Henry. It hit No. 1 jazz and fusion, Brian Bromberg — whose record- • Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Cathedral on the Billboard Blues chart. ing career is quickly approaching the quarter cen- The 2008 Berks Jazz Fest wrapped with Brian Culbertson launching the tour Marianne Keith is a Los Angeles-based singer and guitarist whose latest CD tury mark — is also one of the few players of his behind his then-upcoming 10th CD, Bringing Back The Funk, an in your face, is Beautiful Distraction. instrument to master the tapping technique made old school-styled groovefest executive produced by Maurice White and www.jbonamassa.com; www.mariannekeith.com famous by Stanley Jordan, sometimes sounding featuring Bootsy Collins, the James Brown Horns (including Maceo Parker), like three bassists at once. Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Ronnie Laws and Gerald Albright. The album debuted On his acoustic bass albums, Bromberg brian bromberg at No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and spawned the No. 1 performs jazzy interpretations of various pop and radio hit “Always Remember.” rock staples from the ’60s and ’70s completely solo. Regarding his work with The hitmaking keyboardist returns to jazz up BJF this year at the Scottish electric bass, Bromberg, among other bassists, helped popularize the piccolo bass, or bass with each string tuned an octave up, by releasing several culbertson, CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Reading Eagle/WEEU Special Ticket Off er!

featuring Reading Pops Orchestra with special guest saxophonist Nelson Rangell Sunday, April 5 • 2 p.m. Miller Center for the Arts

The Reading Pops Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Willis Rapp, and special guest saxophonist Nelson Rangell will celebrate music from Rangell’s My American Songbook CD projects . Jazziz writes that Rangell is “an artist of depth, a master of song, and a wonderful improviser.” Such praise is con rmation of what jazz fans have known for more than 20 years. Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse performers in the genre, equally adept at soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone, as well as being a genuine virtuoso on  ute, piccolo, and, yes, whistling. Reading Eagle/WEEU Special Ticket Off er! Clip this coupon to get one free BUY ONE ticket with the purchase of one Sponsored by $40 ticket to the Pops/Rangell GET ONE show on Sunday, April 5! One coupon per ticket. Originals only; no photocopies accepted. Coupon must be presented at the Sovereign Center FREE box o ce, 7th and Penn Streets, Reading, in order to receive one free ticket. Tickets for this o er are limited. A8 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran culbertson, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Power and the influence it’s had over my sound The highly acclaimed film has won numerous accolades on the independent and the sound that I gave to TOP through those festival circuit, including the 24 Beats Per Second Audience Award at the Rite Cathedral on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. 25 years I was in the band. Taking that sound and 2008 South By Southwest Film Festival, the Best Music Documentary Award In its review of It’s On Tonight, Brian Culbertson’s bringing it into 2008, we’re creating an all new at the Silverdocs Film Festival, the Documentary Audience Award at the eighth album since 1994 and his 2005 GRP Re- ‘Metro Jazz,’ really a new approach of a melting Vancouver International Film Festival and the Aspiring Filmmakers Award at the cords debut, Jazziz Magazine proclaimed that the pot of contemporary urban rhythm and sound and 2008 Mountainfilm Festival, which is awarded by a panel of teenage judges. keyboardist had officially become “the Barry White combining all the sounds from the city. The ethnic Fleck and bassist Victor Wooten formed Béla Fleck and the Flecktones in of smooth jazz.” sounds of the trials of tribulations, the hard fought, 1988 with harmonica player Howard Levy and Wooten’s percussionist brother The Decatur, Ill., native is a master when it the victories, sweetness and sadness. It comes Roy “Future Man” Wooten, who played synthesizer-based percussion. Levy left comes to balancing that sense of cool seduction through in the music in all forms. It’s world, it’s joyce cooling the group in 1992, making the band a trio until saxophonist Jeff Coffin joined with one of the most energetic and entertaining brian culbertson metro, it’s edgy, it’s urban.” the group onstage part-time in 1997 and eventually became a permanent live shows in the genre. One of the highlights of East Bay Soul’s horn section is headed up by the Grammy- and Emmy- member. any Culbertson show since 2003 has been having nominated Adams (whose most recent solo release is 2006’s Cool To The www.belafleck.com; www.throwdownyourheart.com his dad, Jim Culbertson — still band director at MacArthur High School in Touch), Michael Paulo (longtime saxman for Al Jarreau, Peter White, Patti Decatur, as he was when his son was a student there — playing trumpet in the Austin, Jeffrey Osborne and Rick Braun who has a solo career extending back Guitar Summit featuring Ken Gehret, horn section. to 1989) and Lee Thornburg (former member of Supertramp, TOP and The Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel and Pete Rogosky Back in 1994, when he was still a student at Chicago’s DePaul University, Tonight Show band who has also worked with Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt and • Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Culbertson self-produced his debut album, Long Night Out, followed in short Ray Charles). The ensemble’s original lyrics are crafted and sung in stunning Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel (formerly order by Modern Life and After Hours (1996). With 1997’s Secrets, the hits fashion by Phil Perry, one of the finest R&B/urban jazz vocalists in contempo- Sheraton Reading Hotel) kept on comin’ with “So Good,” “On My Mind,” and his tender, piano-driven rary music who won 2007 Soul Tracks Male Vocalist of the Year. Perry’s latest rendition of Marcus Miller’s “Straight to the Heart” (a song first recorded by On Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m., Berks Jazz Shanachie release is Ready For Love. Fest presents a special evening with veteran multi- David Sanborn). His catalog also includes Somethin’ Bout Love (1999), Nice & On her 2004 album This Girl’s Got to Play — which was inspired by the Slow (2001) and Come On Up (2003), which featured the beautiful “Our Love,” instrumentalist Ken Gehret’s Guitar Summit at soul-searching she did post 9/11 — Joyce Cooling, one of smooth jazz’s core 7 p.m. at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base. penned for his and his wife Michelle’s first wedding day dance. guitar artists, made an ongoing commitment to making music about things ken gehret His association with GRP began in 2004, when he contributed a breathtak- Gehret has been performing as a musician that matter. Her early album titles were clever twists on her name, but the for more than 30 years, primarily as a guitarist and violinist in varied musical ing rendition of “If Only For One Night” to GRP’s acclaimed Luther Vandross Revolving Door she’s referring to on her latest heartfelt Narada Jazz recording tribute disc Forever, For Always, For Luther. styles. He performs, teaches, composes and arranges for over 17 instru- heads into deeper territory; it’s about the cycle of mental illness, which she ments including voice, woodwind, reed, string and keyboards, but his main In conjunction with the release of A Soulful Christmas in 2006, he launched knows intimately about due to growing up with a brother who was schizo- the latest smooth jazz holiday touring franchise, Brian Culbertson’s A Soulful focuses are guitar and violin. Gehret’s musical experiences stem from a phrenic. primarily country music background, performing with well-known stars (from Christmas. The 2007 lineup featured Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett and Nick Cooling’s next CD, Global Cooling, will be available during the East Bay Soul Colionne. In 2007, he also played host on the Brian Culbertson All-Star Smooth the age of 18) like Roy Clark and Mel Tellis. While with Jim and Jesse and the performance, several days before the official release date of April 7. Virginia Boys, they were televised live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Jazz Cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest. www.eastbaysoul.com; www,joycecooling.com www.brianculbertson.com Tennessee. Gehret is also the designer/inventor of the 10 string M.I.D.I (Musical Instru- Béla Fleck: The Africa Project East Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Michael Paulo, ment Digital Interface). Summing up his fascinating career, he says, “Some Lee Thornburg plus Joyce Cooling Band • Monday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts people play golf with their friends, some play bridge, others jump from cliffs • Saturday, April 4, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerly Legendary banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck brings his using bungee cords. I like to play music with my friends because music is Sheraton Reading Hotel) latest world music excursion, The Africa Project, what I do and love. I love getting together with my musical friends to create to the Berks Jazz Festival. interesting and wonderful sounds. I believe music is the most honest and Berks Jazz Fest gets Often considered the premier banjo player in immediate form of communication available to human beings.” funkier than ever on the af- the world, Fleck is the winner of nine Grammy Gehret will be joined by fellow guitarists Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel and Pete ternoon of April 4, when East Awards and has been nominated 20 times in Rogosky. Bay Soul, an all-star rotating more categories than anyone in history: country, collective led by former Tower pop, jazz, bluegrass, classical, folk, spoken word, Boney James of Power trumpet great Greg composition and arranging. • Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Cathedral Adams and famed soul singer Last month, Fleck, along with his group Béla béla fleck Phil Perry, joins forces with One of the true architects of the contemporary urban jazz sound, superstar east bay soul Fleck & the Flecktones, was awarded a Grammy saxman Boney James makes his first Berks Jazz Fest appearance since 2007 saxophonist Michael Paulo and for Best Pop Instrumental Album for their holiday album, Jingle All the Way. trumpeter Lee Thornburg. The afternoon at the Plaza Reading also features a with a performance at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Continuing his virtual reinvention of the image and sound of his unique Following the extraordinary multi-genre success of his 2006 Concord performance by Bay Area-based guitar star Joyce Cooling. instrument, in his “Africa Project,” the multi-talented NYC native explores with East Bay Soul is a combination of instrumental soul funk and rhythm and Records debut Shine, saxophonist and urban jazz icon Boney James gave his native musicians the little-known African roots of the banjo, highlighting how thousands of fans throughout the world a very special Christmas Present for blues vocals built on a design to discover new achievements rather than richly diverse the continent’s music traditions truly are. Fleck recently produced extend the past. Wide ranging and forward thinking, East Bay Soul is set to the 2007 holiday season. the documentary, “Throw Down Your Heart,” which was directed by Sascha His latest album, Send One Your Love, a new collection of love songs, was lead this new soundscape with a sharpened expertise from being on countless Paladino and follows the musician’s journey through Uganda, Tanzania, The stages worldwide. released on Concord Records in February, and enjoyed No. 1 spot on the Gambia, and Mali as he explores the African roots of the banjo. Using his banjo, Billboard chart. Look for the group’s new CD, due out this summer. Fleck transcends barriers of language and culture, finding common ground Adams says, “We draw from my funk and R&B background with Tower of and forging connections with musicians of very different backgrounds. james, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A9

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran james, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 (Mid-80s). RnR performed at Berks Jazz Fest last year. As he continues to cultivate his dual careers as a first call R&B/ Braun set a record at the 2002 National Contemporary Jazz Awards in contemporary jazz sideman and solo artist, Paul Jackson Jr. keeps an intense, The Lowell, Mass., native had a lot to celebrate. San Diego by winning a total of five trophies. He also shared a Best Collabora- breakneck schedule that includes performing numerous solos onstage as part Upon its release in September 2006, Shine sold tion award with labelmate Boney James for their 2000 hit Shake It Up, which of the American Idol band. Since breaking into the Los Angeles studio scene in nearly 20,000 copies out of the box, debuting at reigned at No. 1 on the Billboard chart for 11 weeks. Braun next ensembled the late ’70s, he has contributed his multi-faceted guitarisma to the biggest No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown for BWB, which featured the No. 1 hit artists in R&B, jazz and rock: The Temptations, Michael Jackson (Thriller, Bad, (where it remained for five weeks), No. 2 on the title track “Groovin’,” and a popular U.S. tour in the fall of 2002. History), Randy Crawford, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Aretha Jazz Chart, No. 12 on the R&B Album Chart and Twenty-two years, 16 albums and thousands of live performances into Franklin, Luther Vandross, Bobby Brown, Bela Fleck, Chicago, Anita Baker, No. 44 on the Top 200 Album Chart. Shine also one of the genre’s most remarkable careers, Elliot is still as enamored with Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Al Jarreau, George Duke and became James’ first-ever Top Ten R&B album, recording and performing as he was the minute he finished his debut album Whitney Houston, whom he toured with from 1994 through 1999. peaking at No. 6. boney james Initial Approach in 1986. Elliot has produced many of his own projects, but in His most recent CD is the spiritual jazz classic Still Small Voice (2003). He The illuminating cover of Shine — his first recent years discovered a more mature and deeper artistry in collaborating is releasing his next album, Lay It Back, in January. release on Concord Records after more than a with megaproducer Paul Brown and Steven Dubin. www.bobbylyle.com; www.pauljacksonjr.com decade at Warner Bros. — shows the saxophonist and his horn silhouetted Born and raised in Cape Town during Apartheid, Jonathan Butler was only a against the glorious sun, reflecting not only the upbeat vibes of the album but child when he started singing and playing acoustic guitar. Racial segregation Joe McBride & Kenny Blake also the powerful energy (including an average of 60-80 tour dates a year) he’s and poverty during Apartheid have been the subjects of many of his records. • Friday, March 27, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret shared with smooth jazz fans since he released his debut Trust in 1992. Butler’s international breakthrough came in 1987 with his Grammy nominated Singer and keyboardist Joe McBride is a Those joyful vibes, which he insists come from simply carrying on the hit “Lies,” and his recordings Do You Love Me? (1997) and Story Of Life (1999) pop/R&B traditions of his hero Grover Washington Jr., have made him one of Berks Jazz Fest favorite. The global appeal of Joe made him a contemporary jazz superstar. His two most recent albums, The McBride’s music is best summarized by a quote the most successful artists in the genre for nearly 15 years. In a marketplace Worship Project (2004) and Jonathan (2005), perfectly reflect the blend of where most artists struggle to sell anywhere near 100,000 with each release, from a music critic in Capetown, who raved about sacred and pop influences he brings to his music. his performance and praised the pianist/vocalist’s James has scored four certified gold albums (500,000 units) and received www.rickbraun.com; www.richardelliot.com; www.jonathanbutler.com Best Pop Instrumental Album Grammy nominations for Ride (2001) and Pure talent for “putting back the soul into what has (2004). One of his most popular discs was Shake It Up, his 2000 dual album become a rather soulless smooth jazz idiom. Bobby Lyle & Paul Jackson Jr. McBride has established himself as one of the then-Warner Bros. labelmate Rick Braun, which marked his fourth consecutive Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery Tribute No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. Confirming his incredible genre’s most popular artists with his label releases • Friday, April 3, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the joe mcbride crossover appeal to the urban market, he has also over the years received Grace (1992), A Gift for Tomorrow (1994), Keys Reading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) two great honors that are generally reserved for African American artists: a to Your Heart (1996) and Double Take (1998), the Soul Train Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination. Berks Jazz Fest has paid homage to legendary latter of which featured top smooth jazz all-stars His next album, Send One Your Love, a new collection of love songs, will be guitarist Wes Montgomery in the past — most Dave Koz, Peter White, Rick Braun and Larry released by Concord Records on Feb. 3. notably at the concert that closed the event in Carlton. His latest album, 2005’s Texas Hold ’Em, www.boneyjames.com 2006 — but this year marks the first time that the is a tribute to his adopted home state and the festival has paired the music of Wes with that of his current poker craze. Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Jonathan Butler 1960s contemporary, Hammond B-3 organ great McBride will also be performing for a jazz • Sunday, April 5, 7 p.m., Scottish Rite Cathedral Jimmy Smith. Contemporary jazz greats Bobby brunch on Sunday, March 29, at 11 a.m. in the Lyle and Paul Jackson Jr. perform classics from Abraham Lincoln Hotel. The 19th Annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest these legends at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base. Kenny Blake also is no stranger to the Berks kenny blake wraps in dynamic style with Jazz Attack, the bobby lyle Jazz Fest. An internationally-acclaimed saxophonist, bi-annual touring ensemble featuring three of Jimmy Smith, whose performances on the B-3 helped to popularize this instrument, was awarded he has been performing for over 30 years. Blake’s smooth saxophone sound contemporary jazz’s most compelling superstar has thrilled audiences worldwide, yet he keeps his roots and his home in icons, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxman Richard Elliot in 2005 the NEA Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest Pittsburgh. With five CDs to his credit his wide range of styles cover everything and singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler. from swing, Latin, ballads and standards of all kinds. Blake works with an array Since the group’s first two tours in 2005 and honors that the United States bestows upon jazz musicians. Montgomery’s fluid style and trademark of top musicians and can perform as a duo, trio, quartet and can even add a 2007, which also featured guitarist Peter White, vocalist to provide a one-of-a-kind evening of entertainment. Braun and Elliot have been on the road nonstop use of octaves has inspired many of today’s most celebrating the music of RnR, their first dual richard elliot popular guitarists, including Lee Ritenour, George Benson and Norman Brown. Metro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl, release which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Contempo- Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley, Bobby Franceschini More than 20 years after he toured as musi- rary Jazz Chart immediately upon its release in late • Saturday, April 4, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the cal director with Anita Baker during her “Sweet paul jackson jr. summer 2007. Its catchy first single, the title track Reading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) they co-wrote with guitarist Chris Standring, was Love”/Rapture heyday, people still come up to also an instant smash, staying at No. 1 on Radio & Bobby Lyle and say they remember him from those days. Others recall the For those who want to experience some serious jamming beyond smooth Records Contemporary Jazz airplay chart for over Emmy-nominated keyboardist’s stints with Bette Midler, Al Jarreau and George jazz, Berks Jazz Fest is excited about presenting Fusion Saturday at Gerald two months. For both musicians, the overriding Benson. Before signing with Heads Up to release Hands On, his 15th album Veasley’s Jazz Base. No ensemble has defined “fusion” better over the past concept of RnR was to reach back beyond the over a three decade solo career, Lyle made history with his 2004 double disc 15 years than Metro, which is led by two veteran performers whose careers contemporary jazz era and draw on their individual Straight and Smooth, which became the first album in history to appear on traverse the fusion, straight ahead and smooth jazz landscapes, keyboardist roots with powerhouse horn sections, Elliot’s with jonathan butler Billboard’s contemporary jazz and traditional jazz charts simultaneously. His Mitch Forman and guitarist Chuck Loeb. Tower of Power (1982-87) and Braun’s with War latest release is 2006’s Hands On. metro, CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 A10 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. 19th annual vf outlet wednesday, april 1 7:30 p.m.: Blues-Rock Guitar Virtuoso Joe Bonamassa plus opening act Marianne Keith major concerts Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 Sponsored by Land Displays thursday, march 26 7:30 p.m.: Kutztown University Presents 7:00 p.m.: Berks Jazz Fest Preview Concert Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Kutztown University Jazz Faculty Group featuring Kevin Kjos, Kutztown University Schaeffer Auditorium: $30; $27 students Scott Lee, Cathy Chemi, Alan Apple, Allison Miller and David Cullen Call 683-4511 for information; www.kutztownpresents.org Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $10 at door thursday, april 2 friday, march 27 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. Guitar Summit: Ken Gehret, Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel, Pete Rogosky The Tierney Sutton Band Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $15 Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $30 Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.: Opening Night Concert Chieli Minucci & Special EFX with the Berks Jazz Fest Horns Peter White and Mindi Abair The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $35 mccoy tyner Scottish Rite Cathedral: $49 Sponsored by Penn Corridor Sponsored by VF Outlet 10:00 p.m.: Party at the Plaza 7:30 p.m.: Severn Records Presents Berks All-Star Jazz Jam: Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Severn Soul & Blues Revue featuring Steve Guyger, Big Joe Maher, Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Dave Weckl, Bobby Tad Robinson, Roy Tyler and New Directions, and the Severn Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Records All-Star Band Rangell, Matt Marshak, Richard Elliot The Inn at Reading Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 béla fleck: Sponsored by Reading Phillies and Eagle Distributing Sponsored by Fraser Advanced Information Systems and the africa project Keystone Instant Printing 10:00 p.m. chuck loeb Joe McBride & Kenny Blake The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $20 friday, april 3 10:30 p.m.: World-Renowned Bassist 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery Tribute Victor Wooten Bobby Lyle & Paul Jackson Jr. Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $35 Sponsored by Penn National Gaming Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend 7:30 p.m.: Jason Miles presents Soul Summit II featuring Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius, saturday, march 28 Maysa, Simone, Bob Babbitt, Reggie Young, Steve Ferrone and 2:00 p.m.: Sax for Stax the original Soul Survivors plus the Berks Jazz Fest Horns Gerald Albright & Kirk Whalum rick braun Scottish Rite Cathedral: $49 Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 Sponsored by Toyota mindi Sponsored by Vision Audi/The Q5 Launch 7:30 p.m.: An Evening With abair 3:00 p.m.: The Music of Gershwin and Porter Phoebe Snow Doc Mulligan and Friends Miller Center for the Arts: $45 Miller Center for the Arts: $18 Sponsored by Sweet Street Desserts Sponsored by Connors Investors Services Inc. and Jerlyn Foundation 10:00 p.m.: Late-Night Blues 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Fusion at the Base The Billy Price Band featuring special guest Fred Chapellier Steve Smith & Vital Information The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $25 Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $30 Sponsored by Quadrant Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend 10:00 p.m.: Celebrating “Kind of Blue” Tim Price & Rachel Z and the Department of Good and Evil tierney 7:30 p.m.: An Evening With sutton Brian Culbertson The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $15 Scottish Rite Cathedral: $49 Sponsored by Berks County Living Sponsored by Penske Truck Leasing 10:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.: Severn Records Presents The Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Kim Waters Severn Soul & Blues Revue featuring Clarence Spady, Darrell Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 Nulisch, Lou Pride, and the Severn Records All-Star Band Sponsored by Bell Tower Salon and Spa and Good Property The Inn at Reading: $38 Management Sponsored by Reading Phillies and Eagle Distributing 10:00 p.m. saturday, april 4 Uptown JAZZUP featuring Erich Cawalla & Jen Kinder 2:00 p.m.: Golden Gate Groove Double-Header take 6 The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $15 East Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Michael Paulo, 10:30 p.m.: The Music of Stevie Wonder Lee Thornburg plus Joyce Cooling Band Gerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon, Joe McBride Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns Sponsored by Verizon Wireless Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Fusion Saturday Sponsored by WFMZ-TV 69 Metro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley, Bob Francescini Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $35 sunday, march 29 Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend 2:00 p.m.: Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener Appreciation Day 7:30 p.m.: An Evening With Average White Band plus Pieces of a Dream Boney James Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 Scottish Rite Cathedral: $49 Sponsored by Smooth Jazz 92.7 Sponsored by Weidenhammer Systems 3:00 p.m.: Jewish Federation of Reading Concert 7:30 p.m.: An Evening With Anat Cohen Quartet McCoy Tyner Quartet featuring Gary Bartz Miller Center for the Arts: $28 Miller Center for the Arts: $45 Co-sponsored by Jewish Federation of Reading/JCC including This tour engagement of McCoy Tyner is funded through the American Masterpieces program of congregations, Kesher Zion and Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom boney the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts james 7:30 p.m.: Smooth and Soulful. . . American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius, a major initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. Take 6 plus Wayman Tisdale Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation/NEA victor Scottish Rite Cathedral: $49 wooten Sponsored by Sovereign Bank 10:00 p.m.: Back by Popular Demand Rick Braun’s Tribute to Chet Baker monday, march 30 The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $35 Sponsored by VF Outlet 7:30 p.m.: WXPN welcomes Béla Fleck: The Africa Project 10:00 p.m.: Celebrating “Kind of Blue” Miller Center for the Arts: $45 Tim Price & Rachel Z and the Department of Good and Evil The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $15 gerald Sponsored by Wachovia Sponsored by Berks County Living albright 7:30 p.m. United States Army Jazz Ambassadors 10:30 p.m.: WXPN welcomes Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: FREE The Derek Trucks Band Sponsored by Reading Eagle Company and Capital BlueCross Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 Sponsored by VIST Financial tuesday, march 31 sunday, april 5 7:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.: Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener Appreciation Day United States Army Jazz Ambassadors plus the Berks County David Benoit plus Warren Hill High School All-Star Band Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39 east bay soul Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: FREE Sponsored by National Penn Bank Sponsored by Reading Eagle Company and Capital BlueCross 2:00 p.m.: My American Songbook 7:30 p.m. Nelson Rangell and the Reading Pops Orchestra Andy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band Miller Center for the Arts: $40 Miller Center for the Arts: $20 Sponsored by WEEU 830 AM and Reading Eagle Company Sponsored by Reading Musical Foundation and Big John’s Catering 7:00 p.m.: Festival Finale Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Jonathan Butler wednesday, april 1 Scottish Rite Cathedral: $49 7:00 p.m.: Bebop, Ballads and Blues Sponsored by Lasting Image Promotional Products Brian Bromberg Quartet featuring Dave Weckl, Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman and Nelson Rangell how to purchase tickets Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $20 • www.berksjazzfest.com and order directly online • Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend • Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading, PA 19602 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A11 berks jazz fest presented by local events* festival sponsor friday, march 27 1 p.m.: Exeter Community Band 4 p.m.: Blues Dinner 9 p.m.: Bluzin’ with Bev Conklin 11:30 a.m.: Berks Jazz Fest Kickoff Lunch Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site Duck Soup & the Fowl Mouth Horns The Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse The Groovemasters featuring Bennie Sims & 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520 The Pike Café 30 S. Fourth St., Reading, PA 19602 sponsors Cliff Starkey plus special guests Erich Cawalla 610-582-8773; www.nps.gov/hofu/ 930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604 610-685-8511; www.speckledhenpub.com 610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com & Jen Kinder 2 p.m.: The Reese Project 9 p.m.: Bunchafunk The Peanut Bar Restaurant The Manor at Market Square tuesday, march 31 DeCarlo’s Bar & Grill 332 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 803 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601 240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 7 p.m.: Skip Moyer Band 610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com 1-800-515-8500; www.peanutbar.com 610-373-0800; www.manoratms.com Reading Liederkranz 11:30 a.m.: BC and the Blues Crew 4 p.m.: Rittenhouse Jazz Quartet 143 Spook Lane, Reading, PA 19606 9 p.m.: Bobby Newton judy’s...on cherry Atonement Lutheran Church 610-373-3982; www.readingliederkranz.com Chill Lounge 332 Cherry St., Reading, PA 19602 5 Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610 2747 Bernville Road, Leesport, PA 19533 7:30 p.m.: An Evening of Jazz/Funk 610-916-2343; www.chilllounge.net 610-374-8511; www.judysoncherry.com 610-375-3512; www.atonementwyo.org Big Beat Tornado 9:30 p.m.: Blues Party 5:30 p.m.: Old Friends featuring Reggie 4 p.m.: Early Bird Dinner Music Holy Cross United Methodist Church/Reading Duck Soup & the Fowl Mouth Horns Brown, Bennie Sims & Cliff Starkey Cliff Starkey 329 N. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19601 Blind Hartman’s Tavern Sam’s Goose House Bar & Restaurant Upland Café 610-373-7260; memholycross.homestead.com 2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560 1665 N. 10th St., Reading, PA 19604; 610-373- 700 Upland Ave., Reading, PA 19607 wednesday, april 1 610-370-7180 2040 610-370-7815 6:30 p.m.: Neil Wright 11:30: DID Berks Jazz Fest Mid-Day Café 10 p.m.: Carl Zeplin & Tim Gross 7 p.m.: Children’s Alopecia Project’s Spring Spectacular Adrienne’s Inn at Centre Park Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz Band Bixler’s Lodge Reminisce 730 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601 Sovereign Performing Arts Center 1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606 VF Designer’s Place 610-374-8557; www.adriennesinnatcentrepark. 136 N. Sixth Street, Reading, PA 19601 610-779-9936 Hill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 com 610-898-7299 610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com saturday, april 4 6:30 p.m.: The Blues Factor www.sovereigncenter.com American House Hotel 8 p.m.: Krypton City Blues Band 5:30 p.m.: David Cullen 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Fest for Kids 2 N. Fourth St., Hamburg, PA 19526 DeCarlo’s Bar & Grill Bensi Ristorante Italiano Cows Don’t Fly & Other Well-Known Facts 610-562-4683 240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 The Shoppes at Wyomissing Institute of the Arts 610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com 700 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 1100 Belmont Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610 7 p.m.: Connie Rainis, Randy Sarles & 610-376-1576; www.institute-of-arts.org Friends 9:30 p.m.: Dave Mell Blues Band 610-375-3222 Gracie’s 21st Century Café Blind Hartman’s Tavern www.bensirestaurants.com Noon: Jimmy Z’s Bone Tom Jazz Band Manatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548 2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560 6:30 p.m.: Skip Moyer Quartet VF Outlet Complex at the Food Court 610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com 610-370-7180 Blind Hartman’s Tavern Hill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com 7 p.m.: Carl Zeplin & Tim Gross 10 p.m.: The Standard Quartet featuring Carl 2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560 The Inn at Moselem Springs Zeplin, Tim Gross, Trey LaRue and Matt Cullen 610-370-7180 1 p.m.: Jazz/Blues Lunch Routes 422 & 662, Fleetwood, PA 19522 Bixler’s Lodge 6:30 p.m.: Deanna Reuben D3 & Company 610-944-8213; www.innatmoselemsprings.com 1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606 Dans Restaurant The Pike Café 610-779-9936 1049 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601 930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604 8 p.m.: By Request 610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com The Evergreen Club 610-373-2075 sunday, march 29 www.dansrestaurant.com 7:30 p.m.: The Suzy Dalton Jazz Quintet 415 Hartz Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522 10 a.m.: Jazz Worship 610-944-7501; www.evergreenclub.org 7:30 p.m.: Neil Wright YR Club Jazz Combo & Big Band plus Kutztown Parkside Drive South & Thrush Road, 8 p.m.: Blues Night Middle School Jazz Band Cousin’s Pub/Shoemakersville 1360 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA 19555 Wyomissing, PA 19610 COCO St. John’s United Church of Christ, Kutztown 610-376-1303; www.berksyrclub.com DeCarlo’s Bar & Grill 610-562-5202 257 W. Walnut St., Kutztown, PA 19530 8 p.m.: Uniques featuring James Tisdale 240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 610-683-8531 8 p.m.: The Suzy Dalton Jazz Quintet 610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com DeCarlo’s Bar & Grill 10 a.m.: Bagels & Bach The Peanut Bar Restaurant 240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 9 p.m.: Skip Moyer Quartet SIORA 332 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com The Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse 1-800-515-8500 Reading Public Museum 9 p.m.: Rob Diener & Anomaly 30 S. Fourth St., Reading, PA 19602 500 Museum Road, West Reading, PA 19611 www.peanutbar.com 610-685-8511; www.speckledhenpub.com Canal Street Pub & Restaurant 610-371-5850; www.readingpublicmuseum.org thursday, april 2 535 Canal St., Reading, PA 19602 9 p.m.: Bobby Newton 10:30 a.m.: Worship Service 6:30 p.m.: Neil Wright & Diana Dupre 610-376-4009; www.canalstreetpub.com Chill Lounge Reading High School Castleaires Dans Restaurant 9 p.m.: Seth Mellon & Gerry Werner 2747 Bernville Road, Leesport, PA 19533 Grace Lutheran Church 1049 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601 610-916-2343; www.chilllounge.net Upland Café 33 S. 11th St., Reading 610-373-2075; www.dansrestaurant.com 700 Upland Ave., Reading, PA 19607 9:30 p.m.: D3 & Company 610-375-3961; www.readinggrace.com 8 p.m.: David Cullen 610-370-7815 Blind Hartman’s Tavern 11 a.m.: Jazz Brunch Upland Café 2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560 9:30 p.m.: Blues Night Joe McBride 700 Upland Ave., Reading, PA 19607 610-370-7180 Lil’ Ragu The Abraham Lincoln Hotel 610-370-7815 Blind Hartman’s Tavern 9:30 p.m.: Dance Hall Docs 100 N. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19601 2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560 Canal Street Pub & Restaurant 8 p.m.: Bobby Newton & Friends 610-372-3700 DeCarlo’s Bar & Grill 610-370-7180 535 Canal St., Reading, PA 19602 www.wyndham.com/hotels/RDGHT/main.wnt 610-376-4009; www.canalstreetpub.com 240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 10 p.m.: Skip Moyer Quartet 11 a.m.: Jazz Brunch 610-378-8121 Bixler’s Lodge 10 p.m.: Josh Taylor Trio GAMUT featuring Erwin Chandler and friends www.decarlosbarandgrill.com 1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606 Bixler’s Lodge The Inn at Reading 610-779-9936 1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606 1040 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, 19610 friday, april 3 610-779-9936 610-372-7811; www.innatreading.com 11:30 a.m.: David Cullen sunday, april 5 saturday, march 28 Noon: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz Band Bensi Ristorante Italiano Noon: Jimmy Z’s Bone Tom Jazz Band The Shoppes at Wyomissing VF Outlet Complex at the Food Court 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Fest for Kids VF Outlet Complex at the Food Court Hill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 700 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 Hill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 Cows Don’t Fly & Other Well-Known Facts 610-375-3222; www.bensirestaurants.com 610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com Institute of the Arts 610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com Noon: Jazz Brunch 1100 Belmont Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610 Noon: Neil Wright Trio 6:30 p.m.: Ray Allen & Friends Connie Rainis, Randy Sarles & Friends 610-376-1576; www.institute-of-arts.org Gracie’s 21st Century Café Galen Hall Country Club Gracie’s 21st Century Café Manatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548 Galen Hall Road, Wernersville, PA 19565 11:30 a.m.: Brazilian Jazz Brunch Manatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548 610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com 610-678-5424 Ken Gehret and Braziliance 610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com judy’s...on cherry 2 p.m.: International Jazz Afternoon 7 p.m.: Neil Wright 332 Cherry St., Reading, PA 19602 Gracie’s 21st Century Café 12:30 p.m.: David Cullen Newpoli-Southern Italian Folk Ensemble Dans Restaurant 610-374-8511; www.judysoncherry.com Francis Hall Auditorium, Alvernia College Manatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548 610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com 1049 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601 Noon: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz Band 400 Saint Bernardine St., Reading, PA 19607 610-373-2075; www.dansrestaurant.com VF Outlet Complex at the Food Court 1-888-ALVERNIA 7 p.m.: Josh Taylor Trio Hill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610 Sam’s Goose House Bar & Restaurant 4 p.m.: David Cullen & Kelly Meashey 2 p.m.: BVNA 100th Anniversary Celebration Bixler’s Lodge 610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com Deanna Reuben 1665 N. 10th St., Reading, PA 19604 610-373-2040 1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606 Noon: Leon Jordan Jr. Quintet Berks Visiting Nurses Association/Wyomissing 610-779-9936 The Peanut Bar Restaurant 1170 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610 8 p.m.: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz Band 332 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 610-378-0481 The Evergreen Club 4 p.m.: Blues Dinner Dave Mell Blues Band 1-800-515-8500; www.peanutbar.com 3 p.m.: Joyful Jazz 415 Hartz Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522 610-944-7501; www.evergreenclub.org The Pike Café 1 p.m.: Blues Lunch Beverly McDevitt, Michael Trach & Skip 930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604 hotels Lil’ Ragu Moyer 8 p.m.: Jim Meck 610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com The Pike Café St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Reading Cousin’s Pub/Shoemakersville 930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604 1559 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19602 1360 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA 19555 *cover or music charge may apply 610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com 610-373-3135 610-562-5202

average white band phoebe snow joe bonamassa

derek trucks

andy warren narell hill A12 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran metro, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 Special EFX to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Adding This is our attempt to present the best in American music; people should be to his always dynamic energy will be special hearing these things.” After three years studying at the Manhattan School guests, the Berks Jazz Fest horns. He said the show will feature mostly tunes from either shows or movies. of Music, Forman, a New York native, began working One of the two founding members of Special Last May, Mulligan performed the American Songbook with different artists, with bands in NYC and began touring and recording with EFX, Minucci has scored major successes as a also in the Miller Center. Gerry Mulligan and Stan Getz. He later hit the road with composer and guitarist in many styles. His diverse Mulligan, a Spring Township resident, began his musical career playing in road with Phil Woods, Carla Bley, Mel Tormé and Astrud career includes playing on the recordings of such his high school band. He continued through college, but then took a sabbatical Gilberto, recorded two solo piano albums and toured in major R&B/pop stars as Celine Dion, Jewel, The from music while in medical school. He resumed playing again in the late chuck loeb Europe regularly. Forman then joined John McLaughlin Backstreet Boys, Mark Anthony and Jennifer 1950s. In the 1960s, he played with the Hafer-Jacobsen Orchestra, and then on tour and contributed to two of his recordings, the Lopez, recording numerous smooth jazz radio hits chieli minucci formed Trombones Incorporated in the 1970s. He found himself often having seminal Mahavishnu and Adventures in Radioland. In ad- and composing Emmy Award-winning music for to balance his love of music with his love of his career as a radiologist. dition to numerous solo recordings, Forman has worked television shows and big stage productions such with Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Janis as Dora The Explorer and Thomas & Friends Live. Andy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band Siegel, Dave Samuels, Diane Schuur, Gary Burton, Pat He formed his first group, Taurus, at age 13 • Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts Metheny, Freddie Hubbard, Rickie Lee Jones, Rick Braun and was introduced to jazz while attending Ithaca On Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m., Berks and Jeff Golub. He has been part of Metro’s five critically College in upstate New York. He later gained acclaimed albums, most recently Metrolive (2004). randy brecker Jazz Fest presents a very special, tropically tinged some invaluable on-the-gig training with the NYC- “trip to the islands” with world-renowned steel pan Chuck Loeb’s 2009 CD Between 2 Worlds is his based R&B band BB & Q. He met percussionist second release for Heads Up after seven recordings as master Andy Narell and the Catonsville High Steel George Jinda at a jam session and they formed Drum Band. a leader for Shanachie Entertainment. More than simply Special EFX in 1982, recording for GRP, JVC and berks jazz fest horns a brilliant jazz guitarist, Chuck Loeb has produced a With the release of his fifth Heads Up recording ultimately Shanachie as they helped chart the Tatoom in 2007, Narell continued his extraordi- number of high-profile artists, including Spyro Gyra, Bob evolution of contemporary jazz. Minucci also recorded three solo projects for James, Walter Beasley, Larry Coryell and Kim Waters. nary musical journey. On his 13th solo album JVC before signing with Shanachie in 2000. His latest solo release for the label — which joins his discography as co-leader of the Perhaps best known for his influential and ground- is Sweet Surrender (2007). mitch forman Caribbean Jazz Project with Dave Samuels and andy narell breaking work with his saxophonist brother Michael Special EFX had 13 albums under its belt when creative differences saw — collectively known as The Brecker Brothers — Randy Paquito D’Rivera in the mid-1990s and two discs the amicable parting of Minucci and Jinda in the mid-’90s. Minucci launched a with Sakesho — the master musician once again took the sound of the big Brecker has been shaping the sound of jazz, R&B and successful solo career and Jinda recorded a 14th Special EFX album, 1996’s rock for more than three decades, gracing hundreds of steel band into uncharted jazz territory with special guests Mike Stern, David Here To Stay. Jinda then suffered a devastating asthma/diabetic attack that Sanchez and Luis Conte. albums by everyone from James Taylor, Bruce Spring- left him with a neurological condition called myoclonic disorder. With the bless- steen and Chaka Khan to George Benson, Frank Zappa In addition to his dynamic solo recording and global touring career, Narell ing of Jinda and his wife, Minucci kept the Special EFX vision alive with the help has over the years performed and recorded with artists as diverse as Chucho and Steely Dan. Last month, Brecker won a Grammy of saxophonist David Mann. The percussionist passed away in 2002. Minucci’s Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his 2008 Valdes, Bela Fleck, Marcus Miller, Angelique Kidjo, Toto, Nancy Wilson, David last Special EFX release was Party in 2003. Rudder, Dr. Billy Taylor, Irakere, Tito Puente, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, release Randy in Brasil. dave weckl www.chielimusic.com In 2005, Gerald Veasley responded to the clamor Vince Mendoza and The WDR Big Band, Maraca and the Kronos String Quartet. among his fans for a live recording with At The Jazz He has also played on numerous movie scores by James Horner, Maurice Doc Mulligan presents The Music of Gershwin and Porter Jarre, Elmer Bernstein, Hans Zimmer, Michel Colombier and Thomas Newman, Base!, which was recorded at the club in November • Saturday, March 28, 3 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts 2004. His latest studio album is 2008’s Your Move. and his compositions have been featured in the film “The Firm” and TV shows Beloved trombonist, composer and arranger Saxophonist Bobby Franceschini has worked with like “Designing Women” and “Going to Extremes,” as well as commercials for Robert “Doc Mulligan will be joined by a roster of Chaka Khan, George Benson, Woody Shaw, Dave Apple Computers, Sony, Porsche and Southwest Bell. great local musicians, including Bill Hicks and Doug Valentin, Kenny Kirkland, Eddie Palmieri, Michel Camilo, As a bandleader, he has played hundreds of concerts and jazz festivals Matz on trumpet; Chuck Dressler on trombone; Willie Colon, Victor Bailey and Charlie Sepulveda. bobby franceschini throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, the Caribbean, South America Erwin Chandler, French horn; Tom Strohman, alto www.chuckloeb.com; www.mitchelforman.com saxophone and flute; Mike Eben, tenor sax and narell, CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 flute; Chris Heslop, baritone sax and alto flute; Chieli Minucci & Special EFX with the Berks Jazz Fest Horns Marty Mellinger, piano; Keith Mohler, bass; Lew and special guest Nelson Rangell Leabman, drums; and guests Joanna Pascal, • Thursday, April 2, 7:30 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom vocalist; and Larry McKenna on tenor sax. doc mulligan In his first Berks Jazz Fest appearance since 2006, guitarist extraordinaire “(Gershwin and Cole) were great songwriters,” Chieli Minucci brings the latest lineup of his longtime jazz/world fusion group Mulligan said. “They wrote so many good tunes and you can’t hear them today. Getting around during the fest

The Inn at Reading and Country Inn and Suites area to Listen to Paul Scott’s hotel/major concert venue addresses downtown Reading: morning show LIVE • The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Bypass-travel route: Turn right on to Park Road (from either accommoda- tions) and go the traffic light at the intersection with Wyomissing Boulevard. If from the festival Fifth & Washington streets, Reading, 19601; 610-372-3700 coming from the Inn at Reading, make a left, if coming from the Country Inn • Best western reading inn and Suites, make a right onto Wyomissing Boulevard. Get in the right lane to 2299 Lancaster Pike, Reading, 19601; 610-777-7888 take the on-ramp for 422 east and take the bypass to the second exit, Penn mooth Jazz 92.7 WSJW, it’s a great, great time.” • Comfort Inn Street, Reading. Follow directions in first description (***) to get to The headed by program and music As well as on-air promotions 2200 Stacy Drive, Reading, 19605; 610-371-0500 Abraham Lincoln Hotel. director Paul Scott, has been prior to the festival and their No bypass-travel required route: From Inn at Reading, turn right onto Sinvolved with the Berks Jazz • Country Inn & Suites live fest broadcasts, WSJW Park Road, from Country Inn and Suites, turn left onto Park Road. You will Fest for the past four years. sponsors two Listener Appre- 405 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-373-4444 pass the VF Outlet complex on your left and ViVa Good Life Bistro & Lounge This year, Scott said the ciation Concerts each year. • Days Inn (ViVa is currently closed) on your right. Continue to the intersection with Central PA station will be broad- This year, the station is 910 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-374-1500 Penn Avenue and make a left turn onto Penn Avenue. It will become Penn Street as soon as you cross over the bridge into Reading. casting all 10 days, adding his presenting the Average White • Econo Lodge morning show to the mix. The Inn at Reading and Country Inn and Suites area to the Band plus Pieces of a Dream 635 Spring St., Wyomissing, 19610; 610-378-5105 Scott will broadcast his reading crowne hotel: on Sunday, March 29; and • Hampton Inn 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. show live Turn right onto Park Road from either of the parking lots. From the Inn at David Benoit plus Warren Hill from the lobby of the Read- 1800 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-374-8100 Reading, make a right at the first light onto Spring Street. From the Country Inn on Sunday, April 5. Both shows ing Crowne Hotel, with artist • Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Spring Street will be the second light encountered on Park Road. are at 2 p.m. in the Reading interviews as well as chats 2389 Bernville Road, Reading, 19605; 610-372-0700 Make a left onto Spring Street. Crowne Hotel ballroom. At the first stop sign, make a right onto Crossing Drive. Go to the traffic light with festival goers and the • Homewood Suites “You can’t beat two concerts and make a left onto Woodland Road. At the next light, make a right onto Paper people who make the jazz fest Route 222 north, 2801 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, 19610; for the price of one,” Scott said Mill Road and the Reading Crowne Hotel entrance is immediately on your right. possible. 610-736-3100 “I am open to any and all who about the AWD/Pieces of a • The Inn at Reading directional notes would like to come and share Dream show. “And David Benoit 1040 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-372-7811 Fifth Street in Reading becomes Business Route 222 (also referred to as their experience,” Scott said. and Warren Hill are two heavy • miller center for the arts/RACC the Allentown Pike) north of the city. Fourth Street in Reading becomes Route This is in addition to their live hitters.” 4 North Second Street, Reading, 19601; 610-607-6205 61 (also referred to as the Pottsville Pike) north of the city. Lancaster Avenue weekend broadcasts before He said he wouldn’t be sur- • READING CROWNE HOTEL in Reading and Shillington becomes Business Route 222 south (also referred major shows. prised that if, to close the show, to as the Lancaster Pike). “We want to describe the the artists jammed together. 1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-376-3811 “The Bypass” can refer to two roads in Reading. The West Shore Bypass is feeling, get everybody psyched “They love to play,” he said. • scottish rite cathedral accessed via the Penn Street bridge and connects Route 422 and Route 222 up,” Scott said. “You have to “They’d play all day and all night 310 S. Seventh Ave., West Reading, 19611; 610-373-0104 and runs along the western border of the city. The Warren Street Bypass is known as Route 12. It wraps around the city from the west (Route 422) and experience it. It’s a huge music if you let them. You just never directions runs along the northern edge to Route 61 and Route 222. love fest. Artists are accessible; know what’s going to happen.” Reading crowne Hotel area (formerly sheration reading hotel) to The Abraham Lincoln Hotel: important contacts Smooth Jazz 92.7 broadcast schedule Access to the hotel is off Paper Mill Road and it faces Woodland Road. From AAA Reading-Berks: 920 Van Reed Road, Wyomissing, 19610; the parking lots, make a right onto Paper Mill Road (you can’t make a left) and roadside assistance: 610-374-7433; customer service: 610-374-4531; travel Friday, March 27 Monday, March 30 go to the light and make a right onto Berkshire Boulevard. At the next light (you agency: 610-374-5600; www.aaardgberks.com • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday, April 3 will see Home Depot) make a right onto Crossing Drive. Go through the next berks arts council: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washing- Scottish Rite Cathedral prior to • 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. traffic light (Woodland Road) and take the first right onto the bypass on-ramp ton Street, Suite 523, Reading, 19603. 610-898-1930; www.berksarts.org Peter White and Mindi Abair Paul Scott’s morning show in (Route 12 east/Route 422 east). Reading Hospital and Medical Center: Sixth Avenue and Spruce the Reading Crowne Hotel lobby Saturday, March 28 Stay in the right lane and take the second exit (for 222 south/422 east, Street, West Reading, 19611. 610-988-8000; www.readinghospital.org Lancaster/Pottstown). You will go about two miles to the third exit on the right • Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4 St. Joseph Medical Center: 2500 Bernville Road (Route 183) in (Penn Street, Reading). Reading Crowne Hotel prior to • Noon to 2 p.m. ***Merge onto the Penn Street bridge. Get into the left lane to be able to go Bern Township and the St. Joseph Medical Center Downtown Reading, 145 N. Sixth St., Reading. Phone for both locations 610-378-2000. www.thefutureof- Gerald Albright & Kirk Whalum Reading Crowne Hotel prior to straight. At the fourth traffic light, make a left onto Fifth Street and go to the • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. East Bay Soul second traffic light. The Abraham Lincoln Hotel is on the corner of Fifth and healthcare.org Washington streets. Make a left onto Washington Street (a one-way street) and Scottish Rite Cathedral prior to • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. a right into the parking garage. It looks like you are turning into the building. shopping Brian Culbertson Scottish Rite Cathedral prior to Boney James The Abraham Lincoln Hotel to the reading crowne hotel area: VF Outlet Village, Hill and Park roads, Wyomissing, just over the Penn Sunday, March 29 The Abraham Lincoln Hotel parking garage exits to Fifth Street. Make a Street bridge from Reading. www.vfoutletcenter.com • Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 5 right onto it and make an immediate right at the light onto Washington Street. Berkshire Mall, State Hill and Woodland roads in Wyomissing (Paper Reading Crowne Hotel prior to • Noon to 2 p.m. Continue on Washington to third traffic light and stay in the middle lane. At the Mill Road exit of Route 422 westbound). www.berkshiremallpa.com Average White Band plus Pieces Reading Crowne Hotel prior to light the left two lanes turn left. After turning left, get in the far right lane. You Broadcasting Square shopping center, Paper Mill and Broad- of a Dream David Benoit plus Warren Hill casting roads in Spring Township. will have to turn right at the next light, which will then take you onto the Penn • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fairgrounds Square mall, Fifth Street Highway (Route 222) in Street bridge. Scottish Rite Cathedral prior to Scottish Rite Cathedral prior to Stay in the right lane and take the on-ramp for 422 west. Continue on 422 Muhlenberg Township, just north of Reading of Reading. www.shopatfair- Take 6 plus Wayman Tisdale Jazz Attack west to the third exit (422 west Lebanon), which will keep you on 422. grounds.com Stay in the right lane and get off immediately at the Paper Mill Road exit. The Shoppes at Wyomissing, intersection of Route 422 and Route Listen online at www.smoothjazz927.com At the traffic light go straight to access the Reading Crowne Hotel parking lots. 222. Take Woodland Road to The Shoppes. www.theshoppesatwyomissing.com Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A13

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran narell, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 reputation as one of the most exciting touring bands in the U.S. He has authored three books on sax playing and has a sax Web site for teach- In July 2003, the Billy Price Band gave a critically acclaimed performance ing at www.saxontheweb.net/Price/. and South Africa. In 1999, Narell became the first foreigner to compose for at the Belgium Rhythm & Blues Festival — Price’s first-ever appearance in Tim lives in Reading and performs and does clinics throughout the world. Trinidad’s Panorama steel band competition, guiding the 100-player Skiffle Europe. A DVD of the concert titled “Funky...Funky Soul!!!” was released in He teaches in New York City and from his home studio. Bunch Steel Orchestra to the finals of both the 1999 and 2000 Panoramas. late 2003. The band’s latest release is 2006’s East End Avenue on Bonedog As fearless in her eclectic, ever-evolving approach to jazz piano as she is Narell also has been an artist in residence at North Texas St. University, Records. bold in creating sweeping thematic concepts, Rachel Z has proven masterful Wichita St. University, University of West Virginia, University of Akron, University In November 2007, Price toured France with Fred Chapellier and sang “A over the course of eight solo releases in bridging both generations and genres. of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Miami University, University of Southern Nickel and a Nail” on Chapellier’s most recent CD, A Tribute to Roy Buchanan. Stylishly blending her bebop and progressive jazz sensibilities with an equal Mississippi and many other schools. He is currently living in Paris and working Chapellier has played blues with Don Ray Johnson, Boney Fields, Audrey affinity for the most exciting pop and rock artists of the past few decades, with Sakesho and the Andy Narell Steel Band Project. Madison, Neal Black and others. In 2004, he was was proclaimed “Best New she’s fashioned groundbreaking tributes to the female artists who have Blues Artist of The Year” and “Best Guitar Player of The Year” by Les Trophées inspired her (A Room Of One’s Own), saxophone legend and frequent collabora- The Billy Price Band featuring special guest Fred Chapellier France Blues. tor Wayne Shorter (On The Milkyway Express), Joni Mitchell (Moon At The • Friday, April 3, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom www.billyprice.com; www.fredchapellier-blues.com Window) and — on her most recent three recordings, which include Get ready to ring in the second weekend of the occasional originals and vocals— fascinating re-workings of songs made Berks Jazz Fest with some Late Night Blues, Tim Price & Rachel Z famous by The Rolling Stones, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, U2 and featuring the East Coast blue-eyed soul of the and the Department of Good and Evil Nine Inch Nails, among others. Billy Price Band with special guest, guitarist and • Friday, April 3, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret Declaring to the world, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that “jazz is not dead, vocalist Fred Chapellier. Tim Price is a Selmer saxophone clinician and a it is alive and right here!,” Rachel’s latest fascinating creative stop, 2007’s Dept Price has been entertaining audiences for the Berklee College of Music graduate. of Good and Evil, found her in a slightly goth state of mind, which comple- past three decades and is an institution in his He has played with musicians like Bennie Green, ments the mix of popular and more obscure pop/rock covers and lyrical and hometown of Pittsburgh. Geoffrey Himes of the Hans Dulfer, Lew Tabackin, Ray Drummond, Jon soulful originals penned by her and longtime drummer and collaborator Bobbie Washington Post once wrote of him, “Unlike so Mayer, Cecil Payne, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Rae. many blues revivalists, Price is not an imitation of billy price and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones, Gary Burton, After graduating from New England Conservatory with a “Distinction in older, better singers — he’s the real thing.” fred chapellier Doc Severinson, Dr. John, Phil Woods, and Ernie Performance” award while working professionally in the Boston area with Since forming The Billy Price Band in 1990, the Krivda, Rachel Z, Sue Terry, and John LaPorta, to performers like Bob Moses, Miroslav Vitous and George Garzone, she began group has performed popular songs from Price’s years with Buchanan and the name but a few. touring with former schoolmate turned R&B/jazz star, saxman Najee and later Keystone Rhythm Band as well as new interpretations of blues, R&B and soul He’s spent years in the trenches with the big tim price co-wrote the title track for his No. 1 album Tokyo Blue. classics. bands of Tommy Dorsey under both Murray While performing and recording steadily with the classic fusion band Steps Members of the Billy Price Band are Steve Delach (guitar), Paul Thompson McEachern and later Buddy Morrow, Glenn Miller Ahead from 1988 through 1996, she also worked with Al Di Miola, Larry (bass), Dave Dodd (drums), Jimmy Britton (keyboards), Joe Herndon (trumpet), under Buddy DeFranco, Cab Calloway and Harry Coryell, Special EFX and Angela Bofill, and began a fruitful association with Eric DeFade (tenor sax) and Rick Matt (baritone and tenor sax). James. producer/vibraphonist Mike Manieri, head of NYC Records. Manieri produced Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with Tim’s bassoon has been a part of the Lawrence her Columbia Records debut Trust the Universe in 1993. guitarist Roy Buchanan, with whom he toured the U.S. and Canada, playing “Butch” Morris Orchestra at the 2004 “Vision After her single venture into smooth jazz with Love Is The Power in 1998, such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Newport Jazz Festival, The Festival” in New York City as well as Rome and she joined Vertu, a fusion supergroup formed by Stanley Clarke and his Return Roxy and the Troubadour in Los Angeles, and the Spectrum in Philadelphia. His other destinations. Forever bandmate, drummer Lenny White. She later toured the world with first group, Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band, ran from 1977 to 1990, Price has been the recipient of a Pennsylvania pop/rock legend Peter Gabriel. during which time they recorded four critically acclaimed LPs and developed a Council on the Arts fellowship jazz grant four times. rachel z www.timpricejazz.com; www.rachelz.com A14 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran

Nelson Rangell and the Reading Pops Orchestra and Kashiwa have enjoyed lengthy solo careers Kings,” and after a few years as drummer and touring • Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts but were inspired when Kashiwa presented the with the Tom Principato Band, Joe formed his own five- The second-to-last concert at the 19th annual idea of a trio tour around 2003 after seeing a PBS piece blues jump group “Big Joe & The Dynaflows.” Berks Jazz Fest is a special live presentation of documentary on The Rat Pack. In between touring and local performances with the the music of My American Songbook, veteran Jeff Kashiwa’s solo career has been in joyfully Dynaflows, in the mid-90’s Joe accepted the role as saxophonist and flutist Nelson Rangell’s critically frenetic overdrive since the incredible success of musical coordinator for Mick Fleetwood’s club in acclaimed 2005 release on Koch Records. The “Hyde Park (The Aah, Ooh Song),” a No. 1 hit on Alexandria, Va., Fleetwoods. show, which he will be performing with special the Radio & Records airplay chart for over eight Tad Robinson would have fit in snugly with the blue- tad robinson guest the Reading Pops Orchestra will take place weeks in 2000. His Native Language debut An- eyed soul singers of the 1960s. His vocals virtually steve cole on Sunday, April 5. other Door Opens and its more acoustic-oriented reeking of soul, he’s capable of delving into a straight- After 15 years of being a recording artist on 2002 follow-up Simple Truth established him as ahead Little Walter shuffle or delivering a vintage O.V. various labels, Rangell followed his Koch debut All nelson rangell one of smooth jazz’s most dominant saxophone Wright R&B ballad. Add his songwriting skills and I Hope For Christmas with a project that featured voices. The Seattle resident primed himself for exceptional harp technique and you have quite the total some familiar tunes yet unlimited horizons explor- his thriving solo career by endearing himself to package. ing territory beyond any of his previous commer- smooth jazz fans worldwide as a member of The Roy Tyler and New Directions’ stirring music is cially defined confines. Rippingtons for 10 years (1989-99). His latest carefully chosen and is simply remarkable in its blend- roy tyler Redefining classics renowned (Leonard solo album is 2007’s Play. ing of old and new. Their faith & heartfelt passion in Bernstein’s “America,” Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Jeff Kashiwa will be joining David Benoit as part singing is absolute. Most American music, Jazz and Soul, certainly R&B and Worry ’Bout A Thing,” Vince Guaraldi’s “Cast Your of his quartet for his April 5 show. Rock, have their roots in Southern Gospel and/or Blues music. That becomes kim waters Fate To The Wind,” Earth Wind & Fire’s “That’s The Kim Waters is the epitome of sexy, romantic a direct link to Tyler’s modern music that many listeners might not be con- Way of the World”) and lesser heard (the traditional cool. With 16 albums to his credit and 10 No. 1 scious of, but can’t help but “feel it” just the same. “Billy Boy,” once recorded by Miles Davis), Rangell’s reading pops orchestra radio hits since his 1998 Shanachie debut Love’s Melody, the multi-instrumen- The Severn Records All-Star Band is Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, Benjie labor of love was a majestic undertaking reflecting talist, composer and producer has sold close to half a million records, making Porecki, Alex Schultz, Karla Chisholm and Calley Bliss. his deep love for jazz (straight-ahead and smooth), pop, Latin and R&B. him one of the most successful and romantic jazz artists of our time. Waters’ More importantly, aside from the sax, he was featured on flute and piccolo high spirited ride on the love train continues on his eighth Shanachie collection Severn Soul & Blues Revue featuring Clarence Spady, Darrell Nulisch, (most explosively on the trad-jazz piece “Freda,” with the help of Russell Fer- I Want You – Love In The Spirit Of Marvin, which finds him celebrating 20 years Lou Pride and the Severn Records All-Star Band rante and Jimmy Haslip) and even whistled his way through Hampton Hawes’ as a recording artist by paying homage to one of his biggest all time influ- • Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., The Inn at Reading “Sonora,” a longtime staple of his live shows. ences, legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye. The former W.C. Handy Nominee for Best New Genre tastemaker Jazziz Magazine once wrote that Nelson Rangell is “an Since signing with Narada Jazz in 2004, Chicago born and based Steve Artist 1997 has been an underground marvel since his artist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser non-pareil.” The Times Cole, who launched his solo career after a long stint with Brian Culbertson with initial and only worldwide release Nature of the Beast in of London notes “his extraordinary facility on a range of instruments and his his hit 1998 debut Stay Awhile, has released Spin (a singer songwriter-inspired 1996. He received international recognition as one of undoubted virtuosity.” Such praise is a confirmation of what contemporary effort which he wrote primarily on the acoustic guitar) and True (2006), which Living Blues Magazine’s “Top 40 Blues Artist Under 40”, jazz fans have known since the Denver-based saxophonist emerged in the late features an exciting and looser, jazzier, less polished vibe. and received the 1998 France Blues Trophie for Best ’80s: that Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse performers in the www.thesaxpack.com International Blues Artist of the Year. Once described genre, equally adept at soprano, alto and tenor saxophone, as well as being a as “the future of the blues” by Bill Dahl, of the Chicago clarence spady genuine virtuoso on flute and piccolo. Severn Soul & Blues Revue featuring Steve Guyger, Big Joe Maher, Tribune, his sound is now even more distinguishable. He followed My American Songbook, Vol. 1 with his smooth jazz-oriented Tad Robinson, Roy Tyler and New Directions, and the Severn Records From the beginning of his career, Darrell Nulisch 2006 release Soul To Souls. All-Star Band exhibited a natural flair for phrasing a lyric, a quality that www.nelsonrangell.com; www.readingpops.com • Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., The Inn at Reading underscores his relaxed, soulful performances today. Philadelphia doesn’t normally come to mind when Nulisch mixed blues and soul on aptly named Bluesoul, The Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and you mention blues. However the City of Brotherly Love a 1996 release, and on The Whole Truth, his debut Kim Waters does boast what some consider a legendary blues for Severn Records in 1998. He takes that earthy • Friday, April 3, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerly Sheraton harmonica player, Steve Guyger. For over 30 years, formula to a new level on I Like It That Way, wich was darrell nulisch Reading Hotel) Guyger has been honing his skills on the harmonica nominated for a blues music award in the soul/blues Hot off their massive airplay hit “Fallin’ For You,” and delighting blues audiences, whether that be with category. the kickoff single from their self-titled disc that his own band, The Excellos, or touring with celebrated Born outside of Chicago, singing is something that stayed at No. 1 for two months and was one of bluesman Jimmy Rogers. steve guyger seemed to come naturally for Lou Pride. Like many of 2008’s biggest smooth jazz tracks of the year, The Joseph Maher aka “Big Joe” Maher has been a the artists he’s commonly compared to (Bobby Bland, Sax Pack makes its first Berks Jazz Fest appear- performing drummer/singer over past 30 years. His list ZZ Hill and Little Milton), he got his start singing in the ance since 2007 with a highly anticipated show. of credits is like a “who’s who of blues & jazz,” having choir of the First Baptist Church whose pastor was One of the most exciting and popular of the performed at an early age in his high school jazz band Reverend E.J. Cole (Nat King Cole’s father). Pride has lou pride genre all-star tours, The Sax Pack delivers on a “The Starliners” with the likes of greats like Clark Terry, recognized works with his WMB Records release Love clever turn of phrase that brings to mind great Urbie Green, Mudell Lowe, James Moody, just to name At Last, which earned critical acclaim from Living Blues Magazine (“among the showmanship and supreme cool — qualities that jeff kashiwa a few. In the late 1980s after performing with and year’s best soul/blues albums”), and Twisting the Knife (Ichiban) in addition managing nine piece swing band “The Uptown Rhythm the soulful saxmen have in spades. Waters, Cole big joe maher severn soul, CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A15

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran severn soul, CONTINUED from PAGE 14 Valerie was born with severe brain damage in featuring those same session cats (Steve Ferrone, Reg- 1975. Snow refused to let her daughter spend gie Young and Bob Babbitt) and a stellar lineup of urban to I Won’t Give Up on Kingsnake/Icehouse. Pride continues to tour the U.S., her life in an institution, and had devoted herself to jazz headliners. Besides return appearances by Elliot Canada and Europe. taking care of her. and Maysa, this year’s show features blues-influenced The Severn Records All-Star Band is Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, Benjie Since the release of her self-titled debut album contemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Golub, singer/song- Porecki, Alex Schultz, Karla Chisholm and Calley Bliss. in 1974, singer, songwriter and guitarist Phoebe writer Simone, funk-driven saxman Eric Darius and The Snow has remained one of the most distinctive Soul Survivors. They will be joined by the Berks Jazz Steve Smith & Vital Information featuring Barron Brown, voices in popular music. Described once by The Fest Horns. Tom Coster, Vinnie Valentino and special guest Andy Fusco simone New York Times as a “contralto grounded in a Since Jason Miles has always said he will never re- • Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the bluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four phoebe snow peat himself, he will present a whole new show of Soul Reading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) octaves,” she was born Phoebe Ann Laub in NYC Summit this year. The first one was based on the South- Currently celebrating their 25th year as a unit and raised in a household where Delta blues, Broadway show tunes, Dixieland ern soul sound with great performances by Tedeschi since their 1983 self-titled debut, Steve Smith jazz, classical music and folk music recordings were played around the clock. on “Son of a Preacher Man” and the band performing and Vital Information has become a formidable As a teenager, she carried her prized Martin 00018 ac guitar from club songs from that era. With a new group of artists, the jazz/fusion juggernaut whose longevity sur- to club around Greenwich Village, playing and singing on amateur nights. same rhythm section comes back to explore more passes all of the major fusion groups. The all-star Performing one night at The Bitter End in 1972, Snow was approached by sounds of soul music. With the addition of dynamic jeff golub lineup of Tom Coster (keyboards), Baron Browne promotions executive Denny Cordell from Shelter Records, who was so taken singer Simone (the late Nina Simone’s daughter), Darius (bass), Vinny Valentino (guitar), and Steve Smith by her voice that he signed her to the label and produced her first recording. and Golub, the band will bring these artists to new cre- (drums) serves up a wide and dynamic variety of steve smith & vital With guest performances by The Persuasions, Zoot Sims, Toddy Wilson, David ative heights. The original Soul Survivors will also inject innovative sounds, from slamming funk and information Bromberg and Dave Mason, Snow’s 1974 collection became one of the most their great sound into “Expressway To Your Heart” and syncopated second line grooves to seriously acclaimed debut recordings of all time. It spawned the Top 5 hit single “Poetry other high energy songs. This will be a night of music swinging, up-tempo Hammond B-3 burners, South Indian Carnatic-inspired Man,” which led to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and launched a filled with great soul music and a few surprises. jams, and sizzling fuzoid romps. career that would include numerous platinum records and the cover of Rolling Long called “The James Brown of Contemporary The group’s founder and drummer Steve Smith has a resume that stretches Stone. Jazz,” saxman Richard Elliot, half of the dynamic horn eric darius from Ahmad Jamal, Zakir Hussain, The Buddy Rich Big Band and Steps Ahead Her prolific discography over the next 15 years included Second Childhood duo RnR with Rick Braun, is appearing at Berks this to Andrea Bocelli and Journey. His many years of accolades include Modern (1975), It Looks Like Snow (1976), Never Letting Go (1978), Against The year as part of Jazz Attack. Drummer magazine’s “#1 All Around Drummer” award five years in a row and Grain (1979), Rock Away (1980) and Something Real (1989). Jeff Golub’s unique brand of funky, blues-drenched being voted one of the “Top 25 Drummers of All Time” in a recent Modern In 1992, she toured with Donald Fagen’s popular New York Rock And Soul smooth jazz may be a firm mainstay in the genre today, Drummer readers poll. In 2002, Smith was voted into the Modern Drummer Revue and was featured on the group’s album recorded live at the Beacon The- but he always had a blast throwing a few winks to the Hall of Fame. ater in New York City. While continuing to tour as a solo artist throughout North 60s and 70s jazz and soul that shaped his musical In addition to his stellar grooving with Vital Information, Baron Browne has America, Great Britain, Germany and the Far East, Snow has also performed vision. His latest album is 2007’s Grand Central on ensembled Gary Burton, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead and over the years with everyone from Lou Rawls, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Narada Jazz. bob babbitt Tom Jones. Unique multi-keyboardist Tom Coster, whose versatility ranges Dave Grusin, Avenue Blue with Jeff Golub and Jewel to Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Saxman Eric Darius has shared the stage with from Hammond B3 to accordion, was playing with Gabor Szabo and Rahsaan Queen, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and Michael McDonald. contemporary jazz all-stars Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Roland Kirk long before he came to prominence in Santana, a stay that lasted www.phoebesnow.com David Benoit, Jonathan Butler, Warren Hill, Norman nine years. He has recorded many solo albums and has been a member of Brown, Chris Botti, Kim Waters and Chuck Loeb. His Vital Information since 1986. Jason Miles presents Soul Summit II fourth and latest release is Goin’ All Out, his Blue Notes Vinny Valentino, the newest member of the band, has shared the stage or featuring Maysa, Simone, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius, Records debut, released last June. recording studio with such jazz greats as Gary Bartz, Randy Brecker, Bill Ev- Bob Babbitt, Reggie Young, Steve Ferrone, and the original The Soul R&B singer Maysa, a longtime member of the U.K. ans, John Pattitucci, Richard Bona, Bob Moses, Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers, Survivors plus the Berks Jazz Fest Horns soul collective Incognito, has a large catalog of solo reggie young Jimmy McGriff and his mentor George Benson. recordings, including her latest Shanachie release • Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Cathedral Vital Information’s most recent release is Vitalization, which features guest Metamorphosis. performances by saxophonist Bill Evans and world-class percussionists Pete From the time it was born in Memphis from the blues Simone returns to the festival for her second Lockett, Gilad and Juan Carlos Melian. that were coming out of the Missisippi Delta, soul music appearance. She is highly-praised live performer whose www.vitalinformation.com has been a defining force in American culture. At the impressive resume includes starring roles on Broadway Berks Jazz Fest in 2007, keyboardist and producer in such acclaimed musicals as “Rent” and “Aida,” Jason Miles gathered some of R&B’s top session Simone has developed an exciting and diverse Phoebe Snow players behind Richard Elliot, Susan Tedeschi, Maysa repertoire of pop, soul, jazz, rock and funk, expressed steve ferrone • Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts and Derek Trucks Band lead singer Mike Mattison jason miles in shows she’s done throughout the U.S. and in the UK, After Phoebe Snow sings “You’re My Girl” on her new concert album to celebrate this dynamic art form. His Soul Summit Ireland, Holland, Finland, Spain and France. Simone’s Phoebe Snow Live, the audience applauds enthusiastically, and she doesn’t show was so successful that it led his label, Shanachie ability to transcend genres echoes the tradition of her just offer a simple thank-you. Records, to commercially release a live recording of the mother, musical icon and pioneer Nina Simone. “I really appreciate that more than you’ll ever know,” she says. “You’re all event in 2008. With Soul Summit, it’s all about the groove, and once keeping me alive.” At the 2008 BJF, Miles led a celebration of the life again it’s driven by Ferrone, Babbitt and Young. Snow is still in mourning for her daughter Valerie, who died in March and music of Grover Washington Jr. in addition to front- Bassist Bob Babbitt established his name in the 2007 at the age of 31. In recent interviews, she said she finds performing ing his own world music fusion band Global Noize. He’s the soul survivors therapeutic. back this year with Soul Summit II, the ultimate encore maysa jason miles, CONTINUED on PAGE 16 A16 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran jason miles, CONTINUED from PAGE 15 of the Year Award. Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2002 and in 2004 was nominated by the Upon the release of the Dancing In The Dark, Sutton completed one of the NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Jazz Artist.” annals of R&B as a member of the legendary Funk brothers who played on so most critically acclaimed and commercially successful runs in the history of www.take6.com; www.waymantisdale.com many of the great Motown hits by such legends as Marvin Gaye, The Tempta- New York’s legendary Oak Room. This renown eventually led to her February tions and Smokey Robinson. 2005 Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops. I’m With The Band was her The Derek Trucks Band With appearances on such legendary hits as “Son Of A Preacher Man,” “Slip first live recording. In October 2006, Sutton won the Jazz Vocalist Award at • Saturday, April 4, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerly Away,” “Suspicious Minds” and “In The Ghetto,” Reggie Young is arguably the the 23rd annual L.A. Jazz Society Awards. Sheraton Reading Hotel) most recorded guitarist in the history of music. www.tierneysutton.com The Derek Trucks Band has been a work in Known as “The Time Keeper,” legendary drummer Steve Ferrone has progress for over 10 years, blending jazz, rock, worked with an incredibly diverse group of artists, from Chaka Khan and Tom Take 6 plus Wayman Tisdale blues, Latin, Eastern Indian and other world music Petty to AWB, Duran Duran, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Sunday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Cathedral into the sound that now defines the DTB. The Scritti Politti and Jaco Pastorius. band’s mission has been to assemble a group of The Soul Survivors, originally from New York City, grew up listening to the On Sunday March 29, Berks Jazz Fest musicians that share a passion for improvisation R & B groups of the 1950s. The sounds of groups like the Moonglows, Heart- presents a unique R&B, jazz and gospel-driven and musical exploration, and to develop a united beats, and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers had a great influence on brothers double bill featuring the multiple Grammy- musical vision by performing with this core group Charlie and Rich Ingui. winning a capella group Take 6 and former NBA of players for an extended period of time. The Since 2002, the locally based Berks Jazz Fest Horns have been adding All-Star turned contemporary jazz bass giant DTB aims to create progressive roots music in an derek trucks another dimension to special performances by many acts appearing at the (literally!) Wayman Tisdale. effort to move the art form forward and Fest. Consisting of Rob Diener on trumpet, Mike Anderson on sax and John With its roots in gospel, doo wop and the re-establish substance over hype. Loos on trombone, this group has played with artists like Gregg Karukas, Jeff sophisticated jazz-influenced singing groups of Truck’s musical career began at the age of 9, when he picked up a $5 Kashiwa, Gerald Veasley, Special EFX, Chuck Loeb, L.A. Chillharmonic, the mid-century America like the Hi-Los, the eight- acoustic guitar at a yard sale. What had begun as a weekend activity quickly Heads Up Super Band, and others. time Grammy-winning a cappella vocal group Take take 6 became a life’s pursuit, and would eventually result in the versatile, Grammy- www.jasonmilesmusic.com 6 is both a throwback to an earlier, more genteel era of American music and a precursor for a num- nominated musician becoming the youngest player to make Rolling Stone’s The Tierney Sutton Band ber of male pop groups of the ’90s and 2000s. “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. He got his first paying gig at age 11 and formed his first band at age 12. After sitting in and touring with the Allman • Friday, March 27, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Its members currently include David Thomas, Brothers Band, from age 10-11 on, Derek Trucks was formally made a full Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Mark Kibble, Claude V. member of the group in 1999. One of the most acclaimed jazz vocalists of McKnight III and Joey Kibble (who replaced Mervyn Warren). Bassist Todd Smallie, who played with many jazz and blues musicians in the her generation, Tierney Sutton’s decision in the Atlanta area, entered the picture in 1994, when Trucks was 15 years old. In Their eponymous 1988 debut won two mid-’90s to move from New England to South- 1995, Yonrico Scott rounded out the band’s permanent rhythm section. Born Grammy Awards and hit the Top Ten on both the ern California led to an incredible decade-plus in the Bronx and raised in Washington, D.C., keyboardist, flutist and vocalist Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary wayman tisdale collaboration with her current bandmates, pianist Kofi Burbridge joined the band in 1999. Christian Charts. The group went on to record or Christian Jacob, bassists Trey Henry and Kevin Axt In 2002, The Derek Trucks Band heard about vocalist Mike Mattison after appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Joe Sample, Ella and drummer Ray Brinker — who collectively have recommendations by both DTB producers Craig Street and John Snyder in Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. After starting the 2000s with a new musical worked with everyone from Natalie Cole and Diana the same week. Originally from Minneapolis, the singer lived and played in approach including rich instrumentation on Beautiful World (2002), Take 6 Krall to Ray Charles and Randy Brecker. Twelve Brooklyn for a number of years before finally being drawn to the Southeast returned to its roots on Feels Good, the group’s debut on Take 6 Records. years and seven critically acclaimed CDs later, Sut- tierney sutton and settling in Atlanta with the rest of his DTB bandmates. Their 2008 Heads Up debut The Standard features performances by Al ton and her ensemble demonstrate what collective DTB’s discography includes their 1997 self-titled debut, Joyful Noise (2002), Jarreau, George Benson, Aaron Neville and Claude’s brother Brian McKnight, consultation and dedicated teamwork can achieve. Soul Serenade (2003), Live At Georgia Theatre (2004), Songlines (2006) and and was nominated for several Grammy Awards. The Tierney Sutton Band just released their latest Telarc album, Desire, the DVD “Songlines Live.” earlier this month. If there’s one thing Wayman Tisdale learned from his NBA career, it’s that www.derektrucks.com While The New York Times has called her a “serious jazz artist who takes there’s no substitute for hard work. Emerging as one of the most consistent the whole enterprise to another level,” the Wisconsin-born singer has expand- and admired players during his 12 years in the league — segueing from the McCoy Tyner Quartet featuring gary bartz ed her brand into the realms of film and TV commercials. She has appeared gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team to stints with the Indiana Pacers, Sacra- • Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts on the soundtracks to “The Cooler” and “Twisted” and she and her band mento Kings and Phoenix Suns — the crowd-pleasing bassist’s towering frame, Known for his groundbreaking work with the scored the independent feature “Blue in Green,” which was released by the exceptional strength and relentless work ethic made him one of the game’s John Coltrane Quartet and a nearly five-decade- Unica Project. Sutton’s unique voice is also regularly featured in commercials most dominating power forwards. His career stats include scoring more than long solo career, legendary Philly-born pianist representing such organizations as BMW, Coca-Cola, Dodge and J.C. Penney. 12,800 points and pulling down over 5,000 rebounds. Even before retiring McCoy Tyner’s blues-based piano style — replete Educated at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Sutton became a after the 1997 season, Tisdale was making a transition toward his musical with sophisticated chords and an explosively semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition in 1998. One goals, releasing a string of albums featuring titles inspired by his ongoing pas- percussive left hand — has transcended conven- year later, her first solo CD, Introducing Tierney Sutton, was released to rave sion for basketball: Power Forward (1995) and In The Zone (1996), which were tional styles to become one of the most identifi- reviews and nominated for a 1999 Indie Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. followed later by Hang Time (2004) and Way Up! (2006). able sounds in improvised music. His harmonic Since signing with Telarc Jazz, The Tierney Sutton Band has released popular He kept that tradition thriving with his 2008 release Rebound, which hit contributions and dramatic rhythmic devices and critically acclaimed recordings: Unsung Heroes (2000), Blue in Green No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart and featured a remake of Barry form the vocabulary of a majority of jazz pianists. mccoy tyner (2001), Something Cool (2002), Dancing in the Dark (2004), I’m with the Band White’s “Never Never Gonna Give You Up” with Toby Keith. A survivor of a Tyner has released nearly 80 albums under his (2005) and On the Other Side (2007). I’m with the Band was nominated for a recent bout with bone cancer, Tisdale is returning to the stage this year after Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album and earned her JazzWeek’s Vocalist having his lower right leg amputated in August. He was inducted into the mccoy tyner, CONTINUED on PAGE 17 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A17

artist profiles/ major concerts by jonathan widran mccoy tyner, CONTINUED from PAGE 16 The Music of Stevie Wonder: Attack with Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Jonathan Gerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon, Butler. In 2008, Abair — who released her Peak name, earned four Grammys and was awarded Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns Records debut Stars last May — expanded Jazz Master from the National Endowment for the • Saturday, March 28, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel beyond her U.S. base with her first concerts Arts in 2002. Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) ever in Istanbul and Romania. In 2003, White and At 17, he began a career-changing relationship Abair launched their first annual holiday tour, and In the great Berks Jazz Fest tradition of tribute con- with Coltrane, who was then Miles Davis’ saxophon- with Rick Braun joining them a year later, have certs to the music of R&B legends, The Gerald Veasley ist. Tyner joined Coltrane for the classic album My created one of the genre’s most popular annual Band will be joined by special guests Najee, Nnenna Favorite Things (1960), and remained at the core Christmastime events. The trio released A Peter Freelon, Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns to gerald veasley of what became one of the most seminal groups White Christmas, a studio recording that chronicles peter white pay homage to Stevie Wonder. in jazz history. The band, which also included this experience, in 2007. gary bartz “Stevie is one of my favorite composers and his mu- drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Jimmy Garrison, Since the release of his debut reveillez-vous sic was an essential part of the soundtrack of my life,” had an extraordinary chemistry, fostered in part by in 1990, Peter White’s distinctive R&B, jazz and says Veasley, whose breakout hit as a recording artist Tyner’s almost familial relationship with Coltrane. pop instrumental albums and staggering 14 No. 1 was an instrumental version of Wonder’s classic “Do I In 1965, after over five years with Coltrane’s quartet, Tyner left the group radio singles have set both artistic and commer- Do.” “His songs are quintessentially American, filled with to explore his destiny as a composer and bandleader. His 1972 Grammy- cial standards for the genre. His partnership with hope and optimism, and I believe that had the Stevie nominated Sahara broke new ground with the sounds and rhythms of Africa. pop/folk singer Al Stewart, which included White’s Wonder catalog never been written, there would be a najee Since 1980, he has also arranged his lavishly textured harmonies for a big co-writing the classic “Time Passages,” spanned giant void in American culture. band that performs and records when possible. In the late 1980s, he focused over 20 years. Over the years, the guitarist has “The idea for this show,” he adds, “is to collaborate on his piano trio featuring Avery Sharpe on bass and Aaron Scott on drums. also recorded and/or toured with Basia, Dave Koz, mindi abair with great jazz artists who love his song book as much Today, this trio is still in great demand. He returned to Impulse in 1995 with Boney James, David Benoit, Gato Barbieri, Euge as I do. I always hope to bring something special to the Infinity, a critically acclaimed album featuring Michael Brecker, and a year later Groove, The Crusaders, Craig Chaquico and Kirk Whalum. Berks Jazz Fest every year, whether it’s a celebration he recorded a special album with the music of Burt Bacharach. In 1998 he Over half a decade after Mindi Abair broke onto the smooth jazz scene with of the music of an influential artists like Charles Mingus, changed labels again and recorded a Latin album (McCoy Tyner & The Latin her hit debut It Just Happens That Way and her No. 1 signature hit “Lucy’s,” Ray Charles or Stevie, or a collaboration with the most All-Stars) and another featuring Stanley Clarke for Telarc. she’s still an A-lister for summer and winter tours, festivals and cruises and exciting voices in jazz.” nnenna freelon In the summer of 2005, Tyner joined forces with the Blue Note Jazz Club in has her own syndicated radio show “Chill With Mindi Abair.” On Stars, her hit Founder of The Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne New York and became the first client of Blue Note Management. That summer, follow-up to 2006’s Life Less Ordinary, she kept her trademark instrumental Hotel and one of contemporary jazz’s most prolific and versatile artists and Tyner began work on some unique projects, including performances with tap- sound hip and edgy and included more original vocal tracks (five) than ever performers, bassist Gerald Veasley launched his career with Grover Washing- dancer Savion Glover and the development of the Impulse! Septet, featuring before. While keeping her core fans excited, she also is quickly establishing ton Jr. and has recorded exclusively for Heads Up since 1992’s Look Ahead. his trio of some of today’s top horn men. herself as a distinctive voice in a new generation of singer-songwriters. Even In 2005, Veasley responded to the clamor among his fans for a live recording Tyner’s partnership with the Blue Note has led to the formation of his own while establishing herself as a popular and influential instrumentalist, she has with At The Jazz Base!, which was recorded at the club in November 2004. record label, aptly titled McCoy Tyner Music. The label is a subsidiary of the been working toward this breakthrough a long time, doing pop tours with His latest studio album is 2008’s Your Move. Blue Note’s In-House record label, Half Note Records. In 2008, he released Adam Sandler, Duran Duran, Josh Groban and even The Backstreet Boys on Following in the groundbreaking, groove-oriented footsteps of his chief Guitars, his second album on the label; it features Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette their famed Millennium tour back in 1999-2000. influences Grover Washington Jr. and David Sanborn, Najee is one of contem- and five of popular music’s most accomplished string specialists: Bill Frisell, www.peterwhite.com; www.mindiabair.com Marc Ribot, John Scofield, Derek Trucks and Bela Fleck. porary jazz’s true pioneers. Creating a fresh and pulsating “rhythm and jazz” www.mccoytyner.com dynamic, the versatile saxophonist — whose first two recordings, 1986’s Grammy nominated Najee’s Theme and 1988’s Day By Day, went platinum — Victor Wooten United States Army Jazz Ambassadors inspired the urban vibe that defined the instrumental world in the ’90s. Najee • Friday, March 27, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne • Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel paid homage to Wonder in the 1995 when he released Najee Plays Songs Hotel Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel) From The Key Of Life: A Tribute To Stevie Wonder; his latest album is Rising Bass extraordinaire Victor Wooten will be joined Sun (2007). The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States by drummer J.D. Blair for a stop on their 2 STIX Nnenna Freelon is an American jazz singer, composer, producer and Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra. This and 4 STRINGZ tour. arranger. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for her vocal 19-member big band, formed in 1969, has re- Like Marcus, “Victor” is the lone name among work, and has performed and toured with such top artists as Ray Charles, Ellis ceived great acclaim both at home and abroad bass fans that signals the last great hero of the in- Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall, performing America’s original art form, jazz. strument, Victor Wooten. Also like Miller, Wooten’s Ramsey Lewis, George Benson, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock and Terence Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors are musical reach extends far beyond the four-string. victor wooten Blanchard, just to name a few. designed to entertain all types of audiences. Born in Idaho to a military family, raised on the She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Ellington Jazz Festival, Custom compositions and arrangements high- island of Oahu and on the West Coast, Wooten received bass lessons at age 3 U.S. Army jazz ambassadors Monterey Jazz Festival, Apollo Theater, Montreux Jazz Festival, the John F. light the group’s creative talent and gifted soloists. from his brother, Regi. By the age of 5, he had made his stage debut with his Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and more. Their diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary four older brothers, collectively known as The Wootens. Like many of his Heads Up labelmates, keyboardist Joe McBride is some- jazz, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals, and patriotic selections. thing of an annual fixture at Berks Jazz Fest, bringing his spirited melodic funk In 1988, Wooten moved to Nashville, where he worked with vocalist Jonell The band has appeared in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and to a multitude of unique settings over the years. McBride has established Mosser and met New Grass Revival banjo ace Béla Fleck. Within a year, Fleck, throughout Europe. Notable performances include concerts at international himself as one of the genre’s most popular artists with his label releases Wooten, Wooten’s brother Roy (a.k.a. Futureman) and Howard Levy formed jazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Newport, Rhode Island; Toronto, Grace (1992), A Gift for Tomorrow (1994), Keys to Your Heart (1996) and the Flecktones, and were on their way to their first of three Grammys. Wooten Canada; Brussels, Belgium; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. Double Take (1998). His most recent album, 2005’s Texas Hold ’Em, is a also formed Bass Extremes with fretless 6-string savant Steve Bailey, and then The band has also been featured in unique joint concerts with major orchestras, tribute to his adopted home state and the current poker craze. released his remarkable 1996 solo debut, A Show of Hands. including the Detroit and Baltimore symphonies. Since 2002, the locally based Berks Jazz Fest Horns have been adding Wooten’s recording and/or touring credentials quickly expanded to include The Ambassadors will be joined by the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band another dimension to special performances by many acts appearing at the a range of artists like Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Bruce Hornsby, for their March 31 show. Fest. Consisting of Rob Diener on trumpet, Mike Anderson on sax and John Prince, Mark O’Connor, Gov’t Mule, Susan Tedeschi, Bill Evans, Vital Tech www.army.mil/FIELDBAND/pages/ensembles/ja.html Loos on trombone, this group has played with artists like Gregg Karukas, Jeff Tones (with Scott Henderson and Steve Smith), the Jaco Pastorius Word Of Kashiwa, Gerald Veasley, Special EFX, Chuck Loeb, L.A. Chillharmonic, the Mouth Big Band and India.Arie. The UPtown JazzUP featuring Erich Cawalla & Jenifer Kinder Heads Up Super Band, and others. The versatile musician also took big steps forward in the field of education, Saturday, March 28, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln www.geraldveasley.com; www.najeeonline.com; www.nnenna.com offering music and life lessons though his popular Bass Nature Camps in his Hotel Jazz Cabaret home base of Tennessee, and his enlightening novel, “The Music Lesson.” He The Uptown Band is making their third appear- Peter White and Mindi Abair currently maintains an ambitious dual solo/sideman pace, regularly recording ance at the Berks Jazz Fest. The group originated • Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite Cathedral and touring with the Flecktones (who have released a dozen albums), Mike during the 2006 festival with the intent to perform The 2009 Berks Jazz Fest begins with an exciting opening night concert at Stern and Chick Corea’s Elektric Band. a wide variety of music with a jazz flavor. They the Scottish Rite Cathedral featuring Peter White and Mindi Abair, two veteran With each new solo CD (six so far), Wooten has expanded his musical focus recently released their much-anticipated debut CD, superstar performers who have defined the joyful, melodic and grooving and knack for genre-uniting via his songwriting, producing and multi-instrumen- Waiting for Her, at a sold-out Gerald Veasley’s Jazz contemporary jazz experience for thousands of fans in the 2000s. tal skills — all while maintaining the kind of stellar level of bass playing that Base. The album is receiving airplay on numerous With numerous Berks appearances under their belts, they are among drives Palmystery, his most recent solo release on Heads Up. Later in 2008, online radio stations, including The Que 98.2 out erich cawalla and the genre’s most popular touring artists. White, whose most recent release he, Miller and Stanley Clarke released Thunder, an explosive joint trio venture of Salt Lake City. jenifer kinder is 2006’s Playing Favorites, has participated regularly over the years in the recorded under the name S.M.V. www.uptownbandmusic.com annual all-star Guitars & Saxes tours, and in 2005 and 2007 was part of Jazz www.victorwooten.com jazz merchandise This year’s official logo for the 19th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest will appear on a variety of souvenir merchandise. A sample of that merchandise is shown Andy Narell, Catonsville High here. These and other items will be available for sale during the festival at all major venues. team up for steel pan concert Andy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band will give VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest fans a taste of the tropics with their Tuesday, March 31, performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Center for the Arts. Narell and Catonsville performed once before at the Berks Jazz Fest, in 2001. Before their evening show, Narell and the Catonsville Steel Drums will perform for nearly 500 Reading School District and local parochial school students, an event organized by Reading Eagle Company’s NIE program and the Reading Musical Foundation’s Colonial Oaks Founda- tion grant. With his 2007 Heads Up release, Tatoom, in 2007, pan master Narell once again took the sound of the big steel band into uncharted jazz territory. He had been co-leader of the Caribbean Jazz Project with Dave Samuels and Paquito D’Rivera in the mid-1990s and performed as part of Sakesho, as well as having a dynamic solo recording career. Under the direction of James Wharton, the Catonsville High School Steel Band was founded in 1991. From a band with one lead pan, a set of double second pans, a set of guitar pans, and a set of tenor-bass pans, the band grew to its present instrumentation of five leads, four double tenors, four double seconds, three sets of guitar pans, a set of cello pans, a set of tenor-basses, and two sets of six-basses. Formed as a means for students to study and perform music from a culture other than their own, the band shares the music of Trinidad and Tobago with audiences throughout the Maryland region and beyond, with over 30 performances annually. The band has produced six CDs, the most recent being Ray Jam 2007. A18 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Severn Records: Soul & Blues Revues he VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest wouldn’t be the great blues guitar players of our time. He complete without the blues. if you go... plays with a depth and sensitivity that can’t be This year’s festival is serving up a whopping friday, march 27 taught. Effortlessly combining blues, jazz, funk Tdose with shows by Joe Bonamassa, The Billy and rock, the music seems to emanate from The Inn at Reading • 7:30 p.m. • $38 Price Band featuring special guest Fred Chapel- • Steve Guyger his soul, flow through his guitar and encom- lier, and the Derek Trucks Band. • Big Joe Maher pass the audience. In short, Spady is one of But kicking things off will be two back-to- • Tad Robinson those artists that can actually move people. He back Severn Soul & Blues Revues, presented • Roy Tyler and New Directions brings out in his listeners a range of emotions by Severn Records. and the throughout his performances and recordings. “This is a rare opportunity for Severn to • Severn Records All-Star Band Growing up in Dallas, Darrell Nulisch was Robb Stupka put together a two-day showcase of some of surrounded by blues and soul music at an early Steve Gomes steve guyger big joe maher our best artists,” said David Earl, president of Benjie Porecki age, and has been a mainstay on the blues Severn Records. “We are thrilled to bring this Alex Schultz scene for almost three decades. He’s been level of talent to the Reading area!” Karla Chisholm with Maryland-based Severn Records since Each of these shows features an impres- Todd Goggins releasing The Whole Truth in 1998 and his sive roster of blues artists, both of which are saturday, march 28 2000 W.C. Handy Award-nominated I Like It backed by the Severn Records All-Star Band The Inn at Reading • 7:30 p.m. • $38 That Way. of Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, Alex Schultz, • Clarence Spady Born outside of Chicago, singing is some- Karla Chisholm and Todd Goggins; and the • Darrell Nulisch thing that seemed to come naturally for Lou Severn Horns — Dave Finnell, Kenny Ritten- • Lou Pride Pride. Like many of the artists he’s commonly house, Frank Mitchell and Morgan Price. and the compared to (Bobby Bland, ZZ Hill and Little On Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., Steve • Severn Records All-Star Band Milton), he got his start singing in the choir of Guyger, Big Joe Maher, Tad Robinson, Roy Robb Stupka the First Baptist Church whose pastor was Rev- Steve Gomes Tyler & New Directions will be rocking The Inn erend E.J. Cole (Nat King Cole’s father). Pride tad robinson roy tyler Benjie Porecki at Reading. Alex Schultz has several recognized works with his WMB For over 30 years, legendary blues har- Karla Chisholm Records release Love At Last, which earned monica player Steve Guyger has been honing Todd Goggins critical acclaim from Living Blues Magazine his skills on the harmonica and delighting blues (“among the year’s best soul/blues albums”), audiences, whether that be with his own band, or delivering a vintage O.V. Wright R&B ballad. and Twisting the Knife (Ichiban) in addition to The Excellos, or touring with celebrated blues- Add his songwriting skills and exceptional harp I Won’t Give Up on Kingsnake/Icehouse. Lou man Jimmy Rogers. technique and you have quite the total package. continues to tour the U.S., Canada and Europe. Joseph Maher a/k/a “Big Joe” Maher has Roy Tyler & New Directions’ stirring music Earl said the Severn Soul and Blues Revue been a performing drummer/singer over the is carefully chosen and is simply remarkable has performed at numerous festivals through- past 30 years. His list of credits is like a “who’s in its blending of old and new. Their faith and out the world including the Arkansas Blues who of blues & jazz,” having performed with heartfelt passion in singing is absolute. Most and Heritage Festival and The Lucerne Blues greats like Clark Terry, Urbie Green, Mudell American music, jazz and soul, certainly R&B Festival in Switzerland. All of these artists have clarence spady darrell nulisch Lowe and James Moody, just to name a few. In and rock, have their roots in Southern gospel performed with each other with the exception the late ’80s, Maher formed his own five-piece and/or blues music. That becomes a direct link of Oakland-based Roy Tyler, who will make his blues jump group “Big Joe & The Dynaflows.” to Tyler’s modern music that many listeners first East Coast performance in over 15 years. In between touring and local performances might not be conscious of, but can’t help but “The audience can expect 2 days of solid with the Dynaflows, in the mid-90s Joe “feel it” just the same. Rhythm and Blues ranging from the styles of accepted the role as musical coordinator Blues fans can come back for more Severn Southern Soul, Uptown Chicago Soul, Chicago for Fleetwoods, Mick Fleetwood’s club in soul and blues with their second revue at the and Texas Blues and Funk,” Earl said. “We Alexandria, Va. Inn at Reading on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 pride ourselves on being a family and the audi- Tad Robinson would have fit in snugly with p.m., this time, with Clarence Spady, Darrell ence can expect to be part of that family.” the blue-eyed soul singers of the 1960s. His Nulisch, Lou Pride and the Severn All-Star Band. With two diverse lineups, the two Severn vocals virtually reeking of soul, he’s capable of Once you’ve seen and heard Clarence shows are sure to bring blues audiences exactly delving into a straight-ahead Little Walter shuffle Spady, you know you’ve been witness to one of what they’re looking for to please their souls. lou pride Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A19 joyce cooling Guitarist blends CD release with NAMI benefit during fest

usic, as a whole, makes deep, emotional connec- Cooling, who is known for her eclectic and swinging tions with people. But sometimes, it goes beyond style, is recognized as one of the most dynamic and that, having a more definite purpose and even deeper popular contemporary jazz guitarists in the world. Mmeaning. “She’s wonderful to work with,” said Mary Lou Guntz, That’s how it is for guitarist Joyce Cooling. The title executive director of NAMI Berks County. “She’s a of her 2007 Narada Jazz release, Revolving Door, is very caring person. It’s very easy for her to relate to a reference to mental illness, and the individuals in our membership.” seemingly endless cycle in which Both Berks County and Lancaster families find themselves when deal- County NAMI organizations will be ing with it firsthand. on hand at the Reading Crowne on She knows about this phenom- April 4 with materials on member- enon because she’s gone through ship as well as free literature on it herself, along with her family. Her mental illness. brother was diagnosed with schizo- “We’re very, very pleased that phrenia at age 19, and Cooling and Joyce Cooling uses her talents to her family have been caught in that support the NAMI organization,” said revolving door ever since. Vivian Spiese, president of NAMI, “You feel so helpless,” Cooling PA’s Lancaster County affiliate. said. Cooling’s aim is really twofold. The shame that is so often attached to the issue of “It’s not just the dollar amount; it’s the awareness,” mental illness prevents it from receiving the atten- Cooling said. “That’s half the battle sometimes — get- tion it needs in the form of advocacy, research and ting the word out.” breakthroughs. Mental illness is a “biologically-based brain disorder,” And so the cycle of illness and helplessness and she said. shame continues. “It’s a physical illness, but because it affects behav- Cooling decided to break that relentless cycle by ior, people are ashamed. It’s nothing to be ashamed partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of,” she stressed. “These are the bravest people I and holding benefit concerts, donating some of the know. These are not people to be thrown away. proceeds from merchandise and CD sales at each “They often have so much to offer, so many abilities, show. but need help in expressing them.” “We need to raise money,” Cooling said. “Where In doing her part in getting the word, she decided there’s money, there’s research. Where’s there’s to approach it in a light, fun way. research, there are breakthroughs. And where there “We want to have fun with this; at the same time, are breakthroughs, there’s relief.” we are doing some serious stuff,” she said. “I want to In 2007, Cooling hooked up with NAMI Berks uplift. I don’t feel devastated; yes, frustrated, but very Group2 Productions label, is set to be released April ing has crafted a stunning collection of songs that County for her Berks Jazz Fest show with Nelson hopeful.” 7, but pre-release CDs will be available to fans at the embody places, feelings and thoughts. Rangell and Philippe Saisse at the former Sheraton What does Cooling hope all of this work ultimately show April 4, the kickoff of her Global Cooling tour. Some, like “Cobra” and “The Red Rose,” paint Reading Hotel ballroom. leads to? Her seventh studio album is a collection of dance- soundscapes of exotic lands; others, like title track This year, she’ll again be donating some of her “I am hoping to lift the load of the work off the family able jazz, featuring her signature, colorful, body- “Global Cooling” and “We Can,” are driven by Cooling’s CD sales proceeds from her Saturday, April 4 show and into professional hands,” she said. “You end up moving sound. optimism and love of things global and universal. with East Bay Soul to NAMI Berks County, as well as doing much of it yourself as a family. We just don’t “It’s eclectic -- you can dance to it, you can trance to ”Jay and I wanted to make music in the spirit of NAMI’s Lancaster County affiliate. The show will be at know enough.” it,” Cooling said. “It’s up to you.” that interconnectedness that I like to call our global 2 p.m. at the Reading Crowne Hotel. Cooling’s latest album, Global Cooling, on the Along with songwriting partner Jay Wagner, Cool- neighborhood,” she said.

at the festival...NAMI BERKS/LANCASTER COUNTY BENEFIT

What: East Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry, How to help: Portion of proceeds from Joyce Cooling’s Michael Paulo, Lee Thornburg, plus Joyce Cooling Band CD sales are donated to NAMI’s Berks and Lancaster county When: Saturday, April 4 • 2 p.m. affiliates. Get Joyce Cooling Band’s new CD, Global Cooling, Where: Reading Crowne Hotel ballroom at the concert, before the official April 7 release date! Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Tickets: $39 Wednesday, April 1 • 7:30 p.m. • Schaeffer Auditorium www.joycecooling.com / www.namiberkscounty.com / www.nami.org / www.berksjazzfest.com For more than 40 years, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, the nation’s original jazz dance company, has brought the excitement of American jazz dance to audiences throughout the world. Never VF Outlet providing free shuttle service to hotel guests content to rest on its fl eet-footed laurels, the company consistently introduces fresh approaches to the jazz For the second straight year, VF Outlet shuttle will take fans staying hours in advance. genre, stretching their vocabulary in athletic and at participating hotels to major festival concerts — and back to their Participating hotels: Best Western; Comfort Inn; Country Inn & Suites witty directions. respective hotel for free. by Carlson; Days Inn/Wyomissing; Hampton Inn; Holiday Inn Express; TICKETS: $30 • Students: $27 For information: 610-683-4511 • www.kutztownpresents.org For more information or to make a reservation, please call Reading Crowne Hotel; Abraham Lincoln Hotel/Wyndham; and The Inn Reading Eagle Company is proud to be the major sponsor 610-208-5498. Space is limited and reservations are required 48 at Reading. of the Kutztown University Performing Artists Series mark your calendars! 20th annual vf outlet berks jazz fest march 19-28, 2010 www.berksjazzfest.com A20 Sunday, March 22, 2009 Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.