April just might be considered Jazz Month in Berks. And on April 5-14, the 29th annual Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest as presented by the Berks Arts Council once will host a star-studded line-up of performers.
The 10-day Jazz Fest will be epic in scope, talent and genres — with a multiplicity of concerts at venues large and small encompassing contemporary jazz, traditional jazz, pop, crossover, blues, funk, R&B, gospel and unique concerts produced especially for the festival. Since 1991, the festival has been an important part of Greater Reading’s community revitalization efforts as both an economic and cultural catalyst for positive change.
Must-sees include heavyweights like multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson in the Opening Night Celebration; saxophonist Boney James; vocalist Jeffrey Osborne; The Jazz Cruise All-Stars: legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Eric Marienthal with trumpeter Terrell Stafford; Journey Hall of Fame drummer Steve Smith & Vital Information NYC Edition; blues master guitarist/vocalist Walter Trout and keyboardist Bruce Katz; pianist Keiko Matsui with the Reading Pops Orchestra kicking off their 50th Anniversary Celebration; the Allman Betts Band featuring Devon Allman and Duane Betts — the sons of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts; premier blues band Tommy Katona & Texas Flood; and acclaimed keyboardist Bob James.
The 2019 Berks Jazz Fest is also populated with a number of unforgettable tributes that undoubtedly will delight audiences. A few are…
Saxophonist Art Sherrod and The ASJ Orchestra’s Motown, Soul Revue and Aretha Franklin Tribute featuring saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, saxophonist Elan Trotman, guitarist Paul Brown, vocalist Kevin Whalum, vocalist Tracy Hamlin, trombonist Jeff Bradshaw, guitarist David P. Stevens and organist/pianist Benjie Porecki.
Grover at 75! Grover Washington Jr., one of the most influential saxophonists of all time and one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre, who passed away in 1999, would have turned 75 on Dec. 12, 2019. Paying tribute are saxophonist/bassist/keyboardist Gerald Albright, saxophonist Everette Harp, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, saxophonist Andy Snitzer with Grover Washington Jr.’s Original Band and The Berks Horns.
Berks Jazz Fest is famous for its collaboration concerts and this edition is no exception. A featured few include:
Sweet, Sexy Soul! with vocalists Howard Hewitt, Will Downing and Avery Sunshine.
Two-time Grammy-nominated writer and producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis & Friends featuring vocalist Phil Perry, guitarist Nick Colionne, vocalist Maysa, saxophonist Kim Waters, saxophonist Art Sherrod and flutist Althea Rene.
Of course, the most amazing collaborative undertaking of Berks Jazz Fest every year is the Berks All-Star Jam, which has been rechristened the Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jam.
Loeb, who passed way from cancer in 2017, was the musical director of the All-Star Jam, turning it from a loose jam session into a well-produced concert without losing any of its improvisational characteristics.
For information on the complete lineup of performing artists and ticket information, please visit berksjazzfest.com.
