Chris Heslop
Composer/Saxophonist
Gearing up for gigs with the Alex Meixner Band across the U.S., Heslop also prides himself on his work in the music industry here at home in Berks. The Wyomissing resident teaches composition at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education and Jazz History at Albright College. He’s also an active composer for film projects with Amazing Berks and for the Reading Theatre Project. Locally, Chris plays with Hot Club of Reading, focused on performing the gypsy swing music of Django Reinhart. He also performs locally with the group Hesse’s Hot Jazz. A Temple University grad, he is also the 2010 recipient of the Frank Scott Award for his contribution to and involvement with jazz music in Berks.
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Reminisce
Brad Weisman, vocalist, and Jeff Miller, pianist/guitarist come together to perform hits from the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, Sinatra, Michael Buble, Hall & Oates and many more. A founding member of the former band Simon Apple, Brad once won a round on nationally-known talent show Star Search and has written songs for several NFL Films projects and NickToons. Jeff is Simon Apple’s principal writer and producer, charting four songs in the U.S. Adult Contemporary Top 40. He’s also worked with several Grammy-winning and platinum-charting artists, including members of Peter Gabriel’s band Supertramp, Blue Oyster Cult, EMO and the Pat Metheny Group. Brad is also a local Berks realtor with Coldwell Banker, while Jeff pursues music full-time, including as music director at One United Church of Christ, Kenhorst. Reminisce performs every second and fourth Thursday, 5:30-8:30pm, at Jimmy G’s Railroad House, Sinking Spring.
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Erich Cawalla
A professional performing since the age of 19, singer/saxophonist Erich Cawalla is a contemporary jazz artist and the leader of The Uptown Band. Original songs performed by the band — which plays all styles with an emphasis on jazz, swing, pop and R&B — have charted on National Contemporary Jazz Charts and has the no. 9 and no. 27 spots on USA Today’s list. On March 1, Cawalla released his solo debut album, 222 South. He’s performed at Carnegie Hall, in Las Vegas, at Walt Disney World and at the Berks Jazz Fest for 12 consecutive years. Erich is currently at work on a Great American Songbook album in the style of Tony Bennett and Michael Buble, accompanied by a 17-piece band, complete with strings, set for release in early 2018. Visit his websites listed below for area performance dates.
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Michael Noecker
A performer since age 15, Noecker was once lead guitarist for local band Shame, but the singer/performer is also a session musician and solo performer. Outside of music, he’s a 7th grade social studies teacher at Exeter Junior High School. A Michael Noecker show brings an eclectic mix of music. His style is diverse and incorporates acoustical arrangements of top hits from the past four decades. Noecker currently performs solo and with acoustic duo, Rhythm Standard. The group adds percussion, making for a more upbeat and dance-friendly set list. One of Noecker’s career highlights thus far, as a fan of The Beatles, was spending a summer recording with legendary engineer Shelly Yakus (John Lennon, U2, Tom Petty). He’s also enjoyed performances on local television shows, including NBC10! Catch him with Rhythm Standard Thursday nights at Bldg. 24 from 6-9pm, or Friday nights solo from 5-9:30pm at Fields Kitchen + Bar by ViVÁ, Wyomissing.
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Also find Michael Noecker and Rhythm Standard on Facebook and Twitter.
Scotti Mann
At the age of 15, Scotti joined his dad’s band when his father decided he needed a keyboard player that would share lead vocal duties. He didn’t know how to play the keys but learned enough to perform his first gig two weeks later. And he hasn’t looked back. Since, the Temple resident has performed with local legends the Groovemasters as their original lead singer, Philadelphia legends Johnny O & The Classic Dogs of Love, and international jazz artists Pieces of a Dream. He sang backup vocals for Celine Dion at the Mann Music Center and in Madison Square Garden. He’s also opened for Jewel, Tower of Power and Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. He’s toured Germany twice, performing original music. Scotti, also a children’s book author, performs Thursdays at The Hitching Post, Reading, and Friday nights at Fields Kitchen + Bar by ViVÁ, Wyomissing. One Saturday monthly you can find him at The Pourhouse American Grille in Blandon.
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Charlie Wanyo
Guitarist Charlie Wanyo’s primary focus is on jazz and rock, having spent a significant amount of time studying jazz guitar with Mark Reinhart. He performs regularly around Berks at Willoughby’s on Park, The Speckled Hen, Café Waldorf, The West Reading Tavern, Say Cheese! Restaurant and Cheese, Chatty Monks, Mike’s Tavern, The Northeast Taproom and Trooper Thorns. He’s busy to say the least! Wanyo is also part of a guitar duet with Andy Buraz, plays in the jazz trio 3 Piece Suit, and enjoys funkier/improvisation-driven performances with The Push. Both The Push and 3 Piece Suit will be performing at this year's Art on the Avenue in West Reading on June 17. Be sure to check them out at the free event! A musician since the age of 15, Charlie also serves as a private music instructor and is actively taking on new students.
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Rob Diener
Boyertown native Rob Diener has enjoyed 23 years as professional trumpet player. He’s performed throughout the country, playing every style of music imaginable in classical groups, jazz groups, rock groups, theater productions, and at major sporting events for the likes of NASCAR. In 2003, Diener formed Anomaly, featuring the compositions of Berks County composers, which led to recording two nationally reviewed CDs. Since 2002, Rob has been a member of The Berks Horns, backing such artists as Greg Karukas, Gerald Veasley, Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Jeff Kashiwa, Richard Elliot, Joe McBride, The LA Chillharmonic led by Brian Bromberg, The Heads Up Superband, and Chieli Minucci with Special EFX. In 2005, Diener played the North American tour of 42nd Street. Currently living in Kenhorst, Rob formed jazz quintet The Jazz 5 Pack with good friend and trombone player John Loos. The group is dedicated to playing old school bebop and songs from the Great American Songbook.
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For booking Anomaly or The Jazz 5 Pack, call 484.686.8195
Cloud Party
(Jim Speese, lead vocals)
Perhaps the longest-lived extant regional original rock outfit, Cloud Party (CP) plays original, old school, guitar-oriented rock, compared to the likes of Pink Floyd, Elvis Costello, REM and Neil Young. CP has released five albums, including their latest, The Dying Art of Living. The band's singer/songwriter, Spring Township resident Jim Speese, and guitarist Mark Steffy have been a team since the band’s first album release in 1997. The newest and best version of CP also includes Kevin Adams (drums), David Mattes (bass), and Heather Hatt (keyboards). Steffy/Speese also play as an acoustic duo. The band has played all over the East Coast but still calls Reading home. Among the places to see CP are: Mike's Tavern, Sofrito, Café Waldorf, and the Pat Garrett Amphitheater, as well as other live music venues and festivals.
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