philadelphia

the philadelphia bassistis woven into fabric of berks jazz festThe VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest brings new names to jazzand blues fans every year. But each year, audiences alsolook forward to the perennial Berks favorites.Bassist Gerald Veasley is certainly a prime favorite, anda part of the Berks Jazz Fest family.He is the perfect blend of performance and personality.A Philadelphia native,by dana l. hoffman the charismatic Veasleyhas played at the festivalin many capacities over the years, with his band, as partof his own Electric Mingus Project, as a special guest toother artists including Pieces of a Dream, as a member ofthe Heads Up Super Band, and, as part of the Channel 69WFMZ live broadcast for the past three years as well asthe very popular All-Star Jazz Jam.Veasley is also one of the founders of Gerald Veasley’sJazz Base in the Reading Crowne Hotel. The Jazz Baseis a venue for many Berks Jazz Fest concerts, as wellas great jazz shows every Thursday throughout the year.He released a live album, At The Jazz Base!, which wasrecorded at the club in November 2004.This year, Veasley is bringing Berks fans the Music ofStevie Wonder. Veasley will be joined by special guests Najee,Nnenna Freelon, Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz FestHorns. The show is set for Saturday, March 28, at 10:30p.m. and will be broadcast live on Channel 69 WFMZ.“I have an affinity for Stevie Wonder music because itwas my favorite music growing up,” Veasley said. “I invitedpeople who share the same love for Stevie.”He said vocalist Nnenna Freelon put her own twiston Wonder’s songs on her album Tales of Wonder, andsaxman Najee recreated an entire album of Wonder tunes,Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life: A Tribute toStevie Wonder, an all-instrumental interpretation of a StevieWonder 1976 classic album.“Joe McBride is an artist in the mold of Stevie Wonder,”Veasley said. “Music is just pouring through his skin.”Veasley also can be seen as part of Metro, a fusiongroup led by guitarist Chuck Loeb and keyboardist MitchForman, Saturday, April 4, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. in theJazz Base.“It’s a real treat to play with Metro,” Veasley said. “Theyare great composers and producers, and the music’s soadventurous.“Chuck and I, we go way back. He produced part of(Veasley’s 2008 Heads Up release) Your Move. I alwaysadmired him as a producer.”Fans also will find Veasley jamming with Rick Braun,Loeb, Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr.,Dave Weckl, Bobby Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters,Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell and more at thealways-popular Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, Thursday, April 2,at 10 p.m. at the Reading Crowne Hotel.Education has been an important part of Veasley’scareer as well. He will host his ninth Bass Boot Camp atthe festival, from March 27-29 at the Reading CrowneHotel. He’ll be joined by legendary bassists Victor Wooten,Bryan Beller, Chris Farr, David Dyson, Andrew Gouché,Adam Nitti, T.M. Stevens, Richard Waller III and AnthonyWellington as faculty for the two-day intensive workshop.He also teaches bass students in his home studio.VEASLEY, CONTINUED ON PAGE 219th annual festival guide published by reading eaglefrank scottaward / 5smooth jazz 92.7live broadcastschedule / 1210-day scheduleof events / 10, 11severn recordsbrings soul andblues to fest / 18joyce coolingNAMI benefit / 19

A2 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.“it’s a real treat to play with metro.they are great composersand producers and themusic’s so adventurous.”veasley, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The roots of his music run deep in his soul.Veasley started playing the bass at age 12 and recallslearning a great deal from jam sessions at home with friendsof his musically inclined parents. His parents’ hard workinspired him, and his outstanding high school career earnedVeasley a four-year full academic scholarship to the Universityof Pennsylvania. During his third year, Veasley lost his father.To deal with the loss, he focused on music. Veasley taughthimself how to improvise, transcribe solos and studied chordprogressions, and he took up studying classical guitar toexpand his range as a musician.“When my father died, I had a hard time coming to gripswith the loss, and the music proved very therapeutic,” he said.“I thought, ‘If music can have that kind of healing effect on me,maybe I can spend my life creating music that can do thesame for others.’ ”He came to appreciate Weather Report and Return toForever as much as he appreciated Earth, Wind & Fire andSmokey Robinson. Veasley has cited Jaco Pastorius, AnthonyJackson and Stanley Clarke as his main influences on electricbass.In the 1980s, Veasley had developed into a versatile andreputable sideman and session player. He joined longtimementor and friend Grover Washington Jr.’s band in 1986 andplayed on six of the sax player’s recordings.“Grover was a gentle human being who I think about everyday,” Veasley said. “I feel like a steward of his legacy, alegacy of honest, heartfelt music. It’s better to play one notethat sounds like you, than a hundred that sound like someoneelse.”Having held the music of Weather Report and Pastoriusin such high regard, Veasley was delighted when, in 1988,Weather Report co-founder and legendary jazz fusion pioneerJoe Zawinul hired him as a sideman. Veasley toured the worldwith his idol until 1995.“That was a real education, on and off the bandstand,” hesaid.He has recorded and/or performed with McCoy Tyner, TheDixie Hummingbirds, Odean Pope, Special EFX, labelmateJoe McBride, Teddy Pendergrass, Phil Perry, Chieli Minucci,Dianne Reeves, George Howard, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind& Fire, Kenny Blake, Pamela Williams, Eric Marienthal, OnajeAlan Gumbs, Omar Hakim and many more. He has sharedstages and tours with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.Since 1992’s Look Ahead, Veasley has released Signs,Soul Control, Love Letters, On the Fast Track, Velvet, andYour Move on the Heads Up label.Love Letters (1999) was Veasley’s last album to featureGrover Washington Jr. before his death at the end of thatsame year. Washington had appeared on all of Veasley’s soloalbums, and Veasley paid tribute to his friend and mentor with“Goodnight Moon,” a tune on his 2001 release, On the FastTrack.When not teaching or wowing audiences, Veasley isproducing for other artists. He produced part of saxophonistAndrew Neu’s new album.“We’re just finishing up,” Veasley said. “At a young age, he’salready a master.”With his skill and versatility apparent both on and off thestage, it’s easy to see why Veasley is such a favorite here atBerks.For more information: www.geraldveasley.com;www.geraldveasleysjazzbase.comif you go...saturday, march 28The Music of Stevie Wonder:Gerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon,Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest HornsReading Crowne Hotel • 10:30 p.m. • $39thursday, april 2Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, featuring Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb,Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., DaveWeckl, Bobby Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole,Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell and moreReading Crowne Hotel • 10 p.m. • $39saturday, april 4Metro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl,Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley, Bob FranceschiniGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel7 p.m. and 10 p.m. • $35Enjoy Greater Reading duringthe VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest1958-2009Jody Rex, 50, a local artist,school teacher and longtimeBerks Jazz Fest volunteer,passed away on March 10 aftera brave battle with brain cancer.Rex gave her time and talentsto many organizations, includingthe Berks Arts Council, BerksArts Alliance, Reading SchoolDistrict, RCP and Genesiustheaters, and Art Plus Gallery.She approached each day withoptimism and passion for life.She will be missed by theBerks Jazz Fest family.about this section. . .This section is a product of the Marketing/Promotions Department ofReading Eagle Company, publisher of the Reading Eagle.Lisa N. Johnson designed and organized the section. Dana L. Hoffmanedited and coordinated the section. Both are of the Marketing/PromotionsDepartment.R. Andrew Lepley provided photography. Also contributing to thesection were Jonathan Widran, Cat Davis, and Berks Arts Council staff.Welcome one and all to the 19th annual VF Outlet Berks JazzFest!Our festival this year is jam packed with a variety of jazz events,thanks to our general manager John Ernesto, who works on thefestival year-round to make sure we have one of the most excitingfestivals in the nation.Be sure to stop and shop at the VF Outlet Village on your way toany of the Jazz Fest concerts. VF Outlet has graciously donated theuse of their shuttles to transport hotel guests to and from the variousvenues and to the VF Outlet Village. Look for the colorful shuttlepass -- with a $5 off a $50 purchase coupon at VF Outlet -- at thehotels and venues. With over 70 stores, there is fantastic shoppingto be done at the Village!While you’re here in Greater Reading, be sure to explore all ofthe businesses along the Penn Corridor, running along Penn Streetand Penn Avenue from City Park, Reading, out to Wyomissing,who have “Welcome Berks Jazz Fest Fans” signs in their windows.Many will have special discounts to coincide with the festival.There’s plenty to do while you’re here during Jazz Fest week, oryou can “take a ride” back to Berks County for a future visit. All ofthe Corridor activities are listed on www.PennCorridor.com.We have a number of unique shops, historic sites and activitiesyou will want to visit, including The Pagoda atop Mount Penn, whichlast year celebrated its 100th birthday; the GoggleWorks Centerfor the Arts in Reading, one of the largest arts centers of its kind inthe United States; and the Reading Public Museum in West Reading,with a world-class collection of art and antiquities, as well as aplanetarium and 25-acre park.I’d like to thank all of our corporate sponsors for their tremendoussupport of this outstanding event, our Board of Directors, ourmore than 300 volunteers and the Berks Arts Council full-time, parttimeand seasonal staff who make this festival possible.The Berks Arts Council is not just the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest.We are engaged all year in a variety of other community programsyou’ll want to check out! Visit www.berksarts.org to see all that wedo.If you enjoy the festival, please consider showing your supportby joining the Berks Arts Council. We have membership informationavailable at all of the Jazz Fest venues.Have a great time at the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest!Connie LeinbachExecutive Director, Berks Arts Council

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A3

A4 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.Medley of educational eventsnuture jazz in young musiciansby dana l. hoffmanJazz is America’s true art form, and it’s vitalto keep that art alive by introducing and sharingit with younger people.Along with presenting 10 days of amazingmusical entertainment, the VF Outlet BerksJazz Fest also serves as an educational tool forlocal young musicians.This year, the education committee, headedby coordinators Chris Heslop, Mike Eben andCarl Zeplin, has planned “Get JazzED,” a daylongprogram for young musicians on Sunday,March 29, at Kutztown University.Eight schools are bringing full bands for aday of workshops, clinics, adjudications andperformances, all culminating in a gala concert.Educators will be Kutztown University facultymembers Kevin Kjos, who heads the jazzstudies program, as well as Allison Miller, DavidCullen, Adam Koelker, Alan Apple and ScottLee. They will be joined by guest cliniciansIngrid Jensen and Michael Davis, both NewYork-based musicians.“The day is not about competitions,” Heslopsaid. “It’s strictly educational. These clinicians’09Alto saxophones:Andrew Mohler( Kutztown)Seth Ebersole (Gov. Mifflin)Tenor saxophones:Nathan Bellott (Gov. Mifflin)Jordan Graef (Boyertown)Baritone saxophones:Matthew Haelig (Fleetwood)will be interactive on stage with the kids.”“Get JazzED” is being presented by Voices,the teen publication in each Tuesday’s ReadingEagle, and is being underwritten by a grantfrom The Reading Musical Foundation. Anadditional sponsor is Project Penske.The event will close with a free communityconcert at KU’s Schaeffer Auditorium, featuringthe Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band andthe Kutztown University Jazz Ensemble I, whichwill include the KU jazz faculty and specialguests.For year-round jazz education opportunitiesin Berks County, students can go to www.berksjazzjam.com.Another unique educational event of adifferent scope is Primary Stages Jazz Festfor Kids theater performances at the Instituteof the Arts in Wyomissing. The performancesare slated for throughout March and April, withfourt shows during the festival on March 28and April 4, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.“Original jazz music is put to an existing play,”Heslop said, who wrote the music for thisyear’s show, titled “Cows Don’t Fly and OtherWell Known Facts.”BERKS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR JAZZ BANDTrumpets:Owen Trexler (Wilson)David Quarmley (Kutztown)Carmen Ebersole (Gov. Mifflin)Dylan Hinnershitz (Muhlenberg)Kris Hartman (Kutztown)Trombones:Nathaniel Eshleman (Boyertown)Harry Trexler (Wilson)Bradley Richard (Boyertown)Adam Rudderow (Muhlenberg)The play was written by Larry and VivianSnipes, and is geared toward ages 2-8. Heslopsaid the show includes two professionalmusicians paired with two student musicians,thanks to a grant through the Reading MusicalFoundation.“It turns out to be great for everybody,” hesaid.The Berks High School All-Star Jazz Bandwill once again play with the United StatesArmy Jazz Ambassadors on Tuesday, March31, at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Crowne Hotel,following an afternoon workshop with theAmbassadors.Returning for its ninth year, Gerald Veasley’sBass Bootcamp, March 27-29 at the ReadingCrowne Hotel, gives students the opportunityto learn from world-class bassists Victor Wooten,Veasley, Chris Farr, David Dyson and more.Hall of Fame drummer Steve Smith, herethis year with Vital Information, is presenting hisdrum clinic, March 28 at the Crowne, from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.As always, the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Festmakes it a goal to not only entertain, buteducate as well.Piano: David Fahim (Kutztown) Guest conductor:Guitar: Dylan Cowell (Kutztown) Dr. Kevin Kjos,Kutztown UniversityBass: Nicholas Shaw (Muhlenberg)County coordinator:Drums: Jordan McCree (Reading)Doug Matz, KutztownVibes: Adam Rabenold (Kutztown)Area High SchoolVocals: Carmen Ebersole (Gov. Mifflin)WORKSHOPS, ClinICS,youth performancesSCHEDULESaturday, March 28 and April 4● Cows Don’t Fly and Other Well-Known FactsPrimary Stages Jazz Fest for Kids theater performanceLocation: Institute of the Arts, WyomissingTime: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.Admission: $7 at the door or $6 ($5 members) in advance.For more information: 610-376-1576; www.institute-of-arts.org● Get JazzEDHands-on educational workshopLocation: Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown UniversityTime: registration 12:30 p.m.; workshop 1 p.m.For more information: www.berksjazzfest.com/educational;www.berksjazzjam.com● Steve Smith Drum ClinicLocation: Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base, Reading Crowne HotelTime: 1 p.m.For more information: www.berksjazzfest.com● Community Concert with Berks County All-Star Jazz Bandand Kutztown University Jazz I with KU Jazz FacultyLocation: Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown UniversityTime: 5 p.m.Admission: FREESunday, March 29● Jazz Worship: Jazz Combo & Big Band plus KutztownMiddle School Jazz BandLocation: St. John’s United Church of Christ, KutztownTime: 10 a.m.For more information: www.stjohnsucc.org; 610-683-8531● Worship Service: Reading High School CastleairesUnder the direction of Charlie DiCarneLocation: Grace Lutheran ChurchTime: 10:30 a.m.For more information: www.readinggrace.com; 610-375-3961Tuesday, March 31● United States Army Jazz Ambassadors Big band plus theBerks High School All-Star Jazz BandLocation: Reading Crowne HotelTime: 7:30 p.m.Admission: FREE with ticketSaturday, April 4● Workshop* prior to McCoy Tyner’s 7:30 p.m. performanceat the Miller Center for the ArtsWorkshop Admission: FREE* is part of a grant from American Masterpieces Program of the Mid-Atlantic Arts FoundationMichele Byrne-designed logo selected for use on festival merchandiseby ashley gellertberks arts council internEach year, the Berks Arts Council looks for anartist to design a unique logo for its VF OutletBerks Jazz Fest merchandise, which is suppliedby Lasting Image Promotional Products &Apparel.This year, that honor went to MicheleByrne, an artist from West Lawn. The four jazzmusicians in the logo were pulled from Byrne’spainting, “In Sync.”Byrne is well-known for “The Art of Conversation:”paintings through which Byrne capturesintimate moments of communication – amongfriends at restaurants or between a mother anddaughter at home – that might go unnoticed byothers.“Some of the most precious moments of mylife have been sitting and having conversationswith my friends and family,” says Byrne. “Thesemoments I never want to lose. The essenceof my paintings is an attempt to have thesemoments live forever. I call this the art of conversation.”Byrne also has published two books: “TheArt of Conversation” (2002) and “The Art ofConversation: Manhattan” (2006).Byrne’s artwork has been featured in nearly10 solo exhibitions and nearly 40 group andjuried exhibitions in Pennsylvania, Delaware, NewYork, Florida, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.Byrne’s awards include an Award of Excellenceat the Wayne Plein Air Festival in Wayne,and a People’s Choice Award and Award of Excellenceat Paint Annapolis (Md.), both in 2007.Byrne’s painting “The Jazz Singers” won firstplace in the recent Frank Scott Memorial ArtShow:The Art of Jazz.Byrne earned a bachelor’s degree in finearts and communication design, with a minor inillustration/painting from Kutztown University.For more information about Byrne’s accomplishmentsand art, visit her Web site at www.michelebyrne.com

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A5Erwin Chandler receives2009 Frank Scott awardby kristina sunandayberks arts council internThe Berks Arts Council’s Frank Scott Award is givenannually during the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest tohonor local, late jazz legend Frank Scott’s memoryand his contribution to the jazz heritage in BerksCounty. Honorees are selected for this awardbased on their artistic ability as a jazz musician, aswell as their active involvement in giving back tothe community. Each individual has significantlyinfluenced jazz music in a positive way throughoutthe community.This year’s award will be presented to localmusician and music teacher Erwin Chandlerimmediately before the Doc Mulligan and Friendsconcert, Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m. at the MillerCenter for the Arts. Past recipients were Robert“Doc” Mulligan, Toni Lynne, Wayne “Al” Seifarth andMichael Eben.“I am very honored and thrilled to be among thisgroup of people,” Chandler said. “I knew Frankie andadmired everything he did.”Chandler is the co-founder of the Berkshire BrassQuintet and shares, with his wife Patricia, a musicstudio. In addition to being a very active French hornand piano player, Chandler also is a composer. Hehas composed over 700 songs, receiving manycommissions and awards, including the esteemedGeorge Washington Medal of Honor for high achievementin composition for his orchestral work “TheConstitution.”Chandler received a master’s degree of musicfrom Indiana University. After college, he became afree-lance musician, performing as part of theorchestra for musicians such as Johnny Mathis,Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton-John and Andy Williams.Locally, he has performed with the ReadingSymphony Orchestra, the Pottstown SymphonyOrchestra, the Allegheny Music Festival Orchestraand the Reading Brass Quintet. He is a longtimemember of the Reading Pops Orchestra and hasconducted many jazz shows. An active musicteacher, Chandler has taught students French hornand piano in the Fleetwood and Hershey schooldistricts, as well as through summer campprograms at Lehigh Valley College.Frank Scott, for whom the award is dedicated,was born on June 24, 1923, in Reading. Throughouthis musical career, Scott played with many notablemusicians such as Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, andBill Haley and the Comets. Scott opened twonightclubs in the Reading area which had a greatinfluence on the community, opening people up tovf outlet berks jazz fest teamErwin Chandler’sGAMUT project willperform Sunday,March 29 from11 a.m. to 2 p.m.during a specialbrunch at The Innat Reading.the sound of jazz, and played a vital role in much ofBerks County’s jazz programming.His album, Never Too Old to Dream, capturedthe heart and soul of his generosity which translatesthrough his music.The award was founded and underwritten by theJerLyn Foundation.Festival management: Connie Leinbach, executive director; John Ernesto,general manager.Berks Arts Council Board of Directors: Ralia Vardaxis, president; JimLandrigan, vice president of programs; Craig Rosenfeld, vice president of administration;Lidia Zidik, secretary; Theodore Bassano, Treasurer; Chuck Koch, past president;Ronald Bair; Karen Baxter; Alvin Booth; Gloria Day; Marilyn Fox; Bernard Gerber;Matthew Golden; Kay Haring; Melvyn Jacobson; William G. Koch, CPA; Chris Kraras;Dr. Julia Matthews; Sandra McCarthy; Thomas McMahon; Dr. Robert Metzger; ReginaGouger Miller; Sharon Patterson; Rev. Dr. Harry Serio; Lisa Tiger; Josée Vachon.BAC Staff: Connie Leinbach, executive director; Beth Renfro, director of marketingand public relations; Matthew Serio, program manager; Gary Spencer, productionmanager; Robert Coleman, controller; Brenda Hartman, administrative assistant; TaraMiller, office assistant; Lynn Stimeling, artists services; Ashley Gellert, intern-KutztownUniversity; Kristina Sunanday, intern-Alvernia UniversityFestival Production: Gary Spencer, festival production manager; Cat Davis,festival assistant production manager.Stage Managers: Mark Rentschler, Joanne Phillipczak, Bruce Morton, StanleyDanner, Mitchell Grove, Lee Reiniger, Karen Haver, David Kurzweg, Robert Grinnage,Matthew Cullen, Steven Haver, Randy Lockhart.Production Crew: Chris Bashore, Jimi Klopp, Ron Reber, Scott Rhoads, RubySmith, Chip Strunk, Mercedes Spradley, Connie Sweigart, Lisa & George Schmidt,Debbie & Jim Landrigan, Steve Philipczak, Mike Anderson, Barry Ellis, Suzie Ernesto,Glenn Curtier, Gregory Goodwin, Lawrence Hartman III, Joe Malone, Ken Perod, TishRodriguez, Lenny Stinson, James Winfield, Jimmy Diana, Thomas Brown, Greg Staron,Mike Piscatelli, Lyn & Greg Walker, Richard Bennett, Nina Beverly, Roger Levesque,Kay & Walter Nixon, Mary Beth Salla, Michael Grinnage, Leslie & Art Stricek, JeffOxenford, Brad Van Etten, Connie Andrews, Ray Heffner, Kyle Smith, Ty Roberts,Josh Cusatis, Michael Butler.Technical support: Mark Burford, John Greene Jr.Reading Buccaneers: Joan Antosy, Patrick Antosy, Peg Bainbridge, DrewBrannen, Gary Choyka, Maryann Choyka, Allison Fassnacht, Jean Heckman, Mary High,Chuck Jacobs, Laura Kauffman, Wayne Kauffman, Wayne Koller, Tyler Kulp, Jay Landis,Yvonne Landis, Bill Levin, Brad Mea, Ed Mea, Jean Miller, Joel Miller, Thomas Moore,Ian O’Mara, Mary Eileen Ormsby, Tim Ormsby, Jeff Oxenford, Leslie Rickert, ChuckRunkle, Thomas Siegfried, Bill Snook, Donnie Solinger, Rich Stekeur, Rick Thomson,Jordan Tuthill, Jerry Ware, Daniel Wildonger, Fred Windish, Bruce Young.EMTs: Dale Berta, Pamela Berta, Deb Greusel, Janet Koontz.Grants: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; Reading Musical Foundation;Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation/NEA; Pennsylvania Presenters; County of Berks;State Sen. Michael A. O’Pake.Sponsor development: Connie Leinbach, John Ernesto, Jim Landrigan, CraigRosenfeld, Matthew Golden, Ron Bair, Sharon Patterson, Bernard Gerber.Media sponsors: Reading Eagle Company, Lasting Image Promotional Products,Berks County Living Magazine (IDP Publications), Smooth Jazz News Magazine, JazzTimes Magazine, Wine and Jazz Magazine, Philly.com, Smooth Jazz 92.7 WSJW-FM,WXPN-FM, WEEU 830 AM, WDIY 88.1 FM, WRTI-FM, WFMZ-TV, Berks CommunityTelevision (BCTV), LAND Displays Inc., Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising, LamarAdvertising.Community sponsors: Buddies Nursery, Inc., David & Mary Carlino, ClinicalResearch Center, Coca-Cola, Commerce Bank, The Dance Hall Docs, Gallen Insurance,IBEW Local 743, Kuhn Funeral Home, Masano Auto Group, Neo-Pangea, ReadingMusic Academy, Reading Precast, Inc., Rhythmic Exercises, Sterling Financial AdvisorsLLC, The Water Guy, Vision Auto Group, Weik Investment Services, West ReadingTavern, Wireless Microsystems Corp., Eagle Distributing/Miller Lite.Hotel sponsors: Reading Crowne Hotel, Inn at Reading, Hampton Inn, Country Innand Suites, Days Inn Wyomissing, Comfort Inn Reading, Econo Lodge Wyomissing,Bed and Breakfast On the Park, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Best Western ReadingInn, Holiday Inn Express, Abraham Lincoln Hotel/Wyndham Reading.Hospitality: Cat Davis, coordinator; Liz Danielski; Rita Miller; Marvanne Kouvaros,Janet Danner, Awilda Goodwin, Kate Peires.Volunteer Coordinator: Matthew SerioHouse managers: Connie Leinbach, Robert Coleman, Brenda Hartman, BethRenfro, Matthew Serio.House captains & assistant house captains: Mark Shearer, Pauline Heckman,Ray Heffner, David Pepper, Ron Wentzel.Marketing/Publicity: Beth Renfro, marketing director; Dana Hoffman, publicitydirector; Lisa Johnson, graphic artist.Logo 2009 Graphic Design: Original art by Michele Byrne and assisted byLisa Johnson.Ticketing: Brian Sipe, Megan Nuding, Heather Soltysik, Hope Parkin, MichelleLamonica.Merchandise: Matthew Serio, Lasting Image.Music programming: John Ernesto, Gary Spencer, John Graff.Festival Photography: R. Andrew LepleySecurity Coordinator: Bill Katinowsky, coordinator; Desmond Kelley, assistantcoordinator.Transportation: John Graff, coordinator, Peg Bainbridge, Frank Gutekunst, ChuckKoch, Randall Miller, Robert Miller, Nancy O’Neill, Mary Eileen Ormsby, Paul Pawelski,Reading Buccaneers.Web site/database: Patty Mahlon, Kevin Lawrence, Carrie Fritz, Jay Crouse,Dave Kauffman, Michael Kocher.Workshops/youth activities: Chris Heslop, coordinator; Carl Zeplin, ShannonSunday, Doug Matz, Mike Eben, Andrea Stover, Josh Taylor, John Loos, GlenBrumbach, 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 widranSax for Stax:Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum• Saturday, March 28, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)Berks Jazz Fest fanswill be treated to a familiarsuperstar sax pairing asGerald Albright and KirkWhalum take the stage inthe Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly SheratonReading Hotel). The twoshared a similar bill at the festin 2006 and in 2007 werepart of the Guitars & Saxesfinale at the Scottish RiteCathedral, along withguitarists Jeff Golub andTim Bowman.Aside from being two ofsmooth jazz’s most soulfuland dynamic veteran performers,Albright and Whalum havesomething very important incommon — a mutual loveGerald AlbrightKirk Whalumfor the music and legacy of Grover Washington Jr. Theyspent several years touring with Jeff Lorber as part of theongoing Groovin’ For Grover phenomenon, paying tributeto the Philly saxman whose brilliant blend of pop, soul andjazz helped lay the foundation for the popular genre.In 2008, Albright celebrated two key anniversaries ayear late with the release of his on-fire, classic funk andsoul-kissed second Peak Records disc Sax For Stax.2007 marked 20 years since he burst onto the contemporaryurban jazz scene with his debut Just Between Us.’07 was also the year that Stax Records, now part of theConcord Records family, celebrated its 50th anniversary.This dynamic mixed bag of eight classics and threethematically and geographically appropriate originals(“Memphis Passion,” “Walkin’ Down Beale Street” withWhalum and “WC Handy Hop”) featured songs everyonehas heard a million times jazzed and sassed up betterthan ever — “Knock On Wood,” “Respect Yourself” and“Never Can Say Goodbye.” The titles of his final two GRPalbums before signing with Peak, Groovology (2002) andKickin’ It Up (2004), epitomize his energized, forwardthinkingapproach to music.Whalum, who previously honored Washington with thecleverly titled “Groverworked and Underpaid” on his 2000album Unconditional, never officially performed with hishero, but both were signed to Sony Music for years. Aftera few years of on and off touring with BWB alongsideformer labelmates Rick Braun and Norman Brown— andseveral projects exploring his first love, gospel music— Whalum has enjoyed performing the music of twoother great R&B influences, the late Luther Vandross andsongwriter/artist Babyface. His latest urban jazz albumis Roundtrip (2007) and he recently released The GospelAccording To Jazz, Chapter III.www.geraldalbright.com; www.kirkwhalum.comAverage White Band plus Pieces of a Dream• Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)This first of two annualSmooth Jazz 92.7 ListenerAppreciation concerts willfeature two beloved urbanpop/jazz ensembles that havebeen grooving heavily sincethe mid-’70s: Average WhiteBand and Pieces of a Dream.Average White Band iswidely regarded as one of thebest soul and funk bands inthe history of music. Thoughperhaps best known fortheir timeless instrumentalNo. 1 mega-hit “Pick Up thePieces,” the band’s strengthactually lie in their consistentlyaccomplished songwriting,stretching across several goldsellingalbums and multipleGrammy nominations. Thoughaverage white bandpieces of a dreamthe six founding members — who launched the band inthe early ’70s—hail from Dundee, Scotland, they took theinfluences of their American R&B heroes and developedtheir own sound, which was eagerly adopted by urbanaudiences in the U.S. and elsewhere.While a good number of their most popular tracks,from “Cut The Cake” to “Let’s Go Round Again” attractedchart action as hit singles, many of their lesser-knownalbum cuts became much sampled and turntabled “rare”grooves. The current lineup of the band, which featuresseveral U.S. recruits augmenting founding members AlanGorrie and Onnie McIntyre, continues to record and touraround the world to ongoing critical and audience acclaim.Their most recent release Soul & The City captures theexcitement of a 2006 live performance at B.B. King’s.Since being discovered as teenagers in the late ’70sby the late sax legend (and fellow Philly native) GroverWashington Jr., Pieces of a Dream — pianist James Lloyd,drummer Curtis Harmon, along with numerous othermusicians over the years — has evolved into one of themost popular and enduring recording and touring bandsin contemporary jazz.In 2001, Pieces of a Dream signed with Heads UpInternational and celebrated their 25th anniversary withwhat was undoubtedly their best album in years,Acquainted with the Night. The album generated twotop-five singles on R&R’s NAC chart. The follow up album,Love’s Silhouette, also scored top radio chart positioningand Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart top 10 status.Their 15th and most recent album is 2006’s acclaimedand ultra-romantic Pillow Talk.When Lloyd, Harmon and former Pieces bassist CedricNapoleon decided to turn pro and go for the big time inthe late ’70s, they named their band after a collective visionof music and hope. On some early gigs, they playeda Stanley Turrentine bossa nova number called “Pieces ofDreams” and the name fit perfectly.www.averagewhiteband.com; www.piecesjazz.comDavid Benoit plus Warren Hill• Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)The second Smooth Jazz92.7 Listener AppreciationDay event at the 2009 BerksJazz Fest features contemporaryjazz superstars DavidBenoit and Warren Hill. JeffKashiwa will be joining Benoitas part of his quartet for thisshow.A vital creative force incontemporary jazz overtwo decades after hits like“Freedom At Midnight,” “Kei’sSong” and “Every Step OfThe Way” broke ground onthe thriving genre, DavidBenoit came Full Circle on his2006 release which spawned“Beat Street,” his No. 1 Radio& Records single that stayedon the chart for an entire year.david benoitwarren hillOn Heroes, the first of two releases for Peak Records in2008, the five-time Grammy-nominated pianist celebrated30-plus years as a recording artist by putting fresh, exuberantspins on classic songs by legendary pop, rock andjazz artists whose brilliance inspired his own.Since breaking through to instrumental stardom in themid-’80s with his inimitable jazz-funk version of “Linus andLucy,” Benoit has regaled hundreds of thousands of fansworldwide with frequent tributes to Vince Guaraldi andthe music of Peanuts. His ongoing passion culminatedwith his second 2008 release Jazz For Peanuts – ARetrospective of the Charlie Brown Television Themes, acelebration of Guaraldi’s impact on several generations ofjazz musicians featuring six dynamic new tracks, (threecomposed by Benoit, three by Guaraldi), five of which arenewly expanded arrangements of TV cues that have neverbeen previously recorded.His name may be synonymous with smooth jazz cruisingsince organizing, promoting, headlining and becomingthe namesake of the popular Warren Hill’s Smooth JazzCruise from 2004-2006, but longtime fans know that theToronto-born, Colorado-based saxophonist has been oneof the key movers and shakers in the genre for close to20 years.After several popular albums with Narada Jazz —including Love Life, Love Songs and A Warren HillChristmas, which earned critical acclaim for its uniquemix of pop, R&B and straight ahead jazz influences — Hilljoined Native Language and released the successfulPopjazz in 2005. One of the great joys of Hill’s musicsince his 1991 debut Kiss Under the Moon is his amazingstylistic diversity; one minute, he’s searing your soul witha bedroom eyes song like “The Passion Theme” and thenext he’s daring you to keep still on hard-core funk gemslike “Subway Slam” (from 1997’s Shelter) or Latin jamslike “Mambo 2000.” He made his debut on Koch Recordsin 2008 with the popular, critically acclaimed and verysweet La Dolce Vita.www.benoit.com; www.warrenhill.comBerks All-Star Jazz Jam featuringRick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg,Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Dave Weckl, Bobby Lyle,Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, NelsonRangell, Matt Marshak and more• Thursday, April 2, 10 p.m., Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)One of the most highly anticipated shows of any BerksJazz Fest is the annual Berks All-Star Jazz Jam, whichtransforms the Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom into afunky, jamming, smooth grooving, edgy fusion paradisewhere all bets are off and improvisations rule until wellpast midnight.This year, all of the participants are performing in othersettings at the festival, showing the diversity of talenthitting the stage for this once-in-a-lifetime show. First theguitarists: Chuck Loeb is performing with the fusion bandMetro, Paul Jackson Jr. is doing a Jimmy Smith/WesMontgomery Tribute with keyboardist Bobby Lyle, andChieli Minucci is headlining with his band Special EFX andthe Berks Jazz Fest Horns.Bassists Gerald Veasley and Brian Bromberg are keepingbusy elsewhere, too. Veasley is performing with Metroand also headlining at the WFMZ Live Broadcast, performingthe Music of Stevie Wonder with special guests Najeeand Nnenna Freelon. Bromberg is playing with Rick Braun,Phillippe, Saisse and Ricky Lawson as part of the ChetBaker Tribute II.The five-piece brass section at the All-Star Jampromises to be spectacular, with Rick Braun (who is alsoperforming with Jazz Attack) and Nelson Rangell (frontingJAM, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7Support the Berks Jazz Fest!Join the Berks Arts Council.www.berksarts.org • 610.898.1930

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A7artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranJAM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6the Reading Pops Orchestra) joining The Sax Pack of Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Coleand Kim Waters.Keyboardist Mitch Forman is headlining Fusion Saturday with Metro whilepiano great Bobby Lyle is doing the Jimmy Smith portion of the tribute thatalso features Paul Jackson Jr. paying homage to Wes Montgomery. DrummerDave Weckl is also part of the Metro live experience at Gerald Veasley’s JazzBase.Joe Bonamassa plus Marianne Keith• Wednesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerlySheraton Reading Hotel)Blues-rock guitar virtuoso, vocalist andsongwriter Joe Bonamassa kicked off 2007 withthe honor of being named Best Blues Guitarist byGuitar Player Magazine’s readership in their annualReader’s Choice Awards. The year continued withthe release of Sloe Gin, Bonamassa’s seventh soloalbum and fourth on his own J&R Adventures labelwhich featured a mix of heavy blues, big rock andtextured acoustic tracks that he says was inspiredin part by Rod Stewart’s legendary 1969 debutsolo LP; the disc reunited him with producer KevinShirley, whose all-star rock credits include Joe Satriani,Black Crowes, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.Shirley previously produced Bonamassa’sYou & Me, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’sBlues chart in June 2006 (all of Joe’s albums haveeither hit No. 1 or gone Top 10). Modern GuitarsMagazine called the disc, “one of the best bluesrockCDs to come about in quite a while…destinedto be a classic.” NPR host George Graham wrote,“Almost four decades ago, British rockers whoJoe BonamassaMarianne Keithplayed bluesy guitar became the heroes on their instruments, people likeClapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Joe Bonamassa carries on that tradition… Bonamassa is in every way their equal.”His acclaim over the years has included: “The New King of Blues” (GuitaristMagazine); “Right now, there’s no better blues-rock artist than Bonamassa”(Gibson.com); “Bonamassa is a bold talent” (Billboard); “Wicked guitar thrills”(Washington Post); and “This kid deserves to be in the same class with StevieRay Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck” (rock guitarist Ted Nugent after ajam with Bonamassa for VH-1’s “Supergroup.”)Widely renowned for his insanely fluid phrasing and post-modern fusion ofelectric British blues, traditional Delta blues and rock ‘n roll chops, Bonamassatold Guitar Player in 2005, “When I play blues, I try to think a little outside thebox, while still paying tribute to the founding fathers like Muddy Waters andRobert Johnson.”Bonamassa actively serves as the youngest-ever member of the Memphis,Tennessee-based Blues Foundation’s board of directors, and is the leadspokesperson for their highly respected Blues In The Schools program, whicheducates students nationwide about the legacy and influence of the blues.His latest CD, released in February, is the Ballad of John Henry. It hit No. 1on the Billboard Blues chart.Marianne Keith is a Los Angeles-based singer and guitarist whose latest CDis Beautiful Distraction.www.jbonamassa.com; www.mariannekeith.comRick Braun’s Tribute to Chet Baker• Saturday, April 4, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel BallroomOne of the most talked about shows at the2008 Berks Jazz Fest was Rick Braun’s beautifuland intimate Tribute To Chet Baker show. Thisyear’s highly anticipated follow-up performancefeatures Braun playing more classics from thetrumpet icon’s catalog with the support of fellowcontemporary jazz stalwarts, keyboardist PhilippeSaisse, drummer Ricky Lawson and bassist BrianBromberg.Two decades after his tragic death in Amsterdam,trumpet legend Chet Baker — a primaryexponent of the West Coast school of cool jazz in the early and mid-’50s —has never been more popular. In 2005, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry andthe Oklahoma House of Representatives paid homage to their native sonby proclaiming July 2 “Chet Baker Day.” Reissues and collections of Baker’smusic continue to be released on a regular basis.His generally restrained, intimate playing style attracted legions of fans andinspired several generations of contemporary trumpet players, including ChrisBotti — who is now exclusively recording mellow, orchestrated music after asuccessful run in smooth jazz — and Braun. Tribute II will again bring musicalhistory alive for those who may know more about the pain that fueled Baker’slongtime drug addictions than his brilliant recordings.In addition to a thriving solo recording career, Bromberg has performedwith a virtual who’s who of smooth, straight ahead and Latin jazz (Arturo Sandoval,Herbie Hancock, Boney James) and as a producer has scored eight top10 (and two No. 1) smooth jazz hits. His latest recording is Downright Upright,which was nominated for a Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2008.After making his recording debut on Al DiMeola’s 1979 effort SplendidoHotel, the versatile Saisse expanded into pop and contemporary jazz sessionwork with David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Peabo Bryson, Tina Turner,David Sanborn and the Rolling Stones. Saisse’s most recent projects as anarranger/keyboard player include three of Rod Stewart’s platinum The GreatAmerican Song Book projects and a duet with Céline Dion and Charles Aznavour.His most recent album, 2006’s acoustic-driven covers disc The Body andSoul Sessions, was released on Dave Koz’s label Rendezvous Music.A founding member of the Yellowjackets and a Grammy-winning composer,Lawson has collaborated with many artists including Michael Jackson, EricClapton, Steely Dan, Phil Collins, Babyface, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones,Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler, Russell Ferrante, Toto, Al Jarreau, George Benson,Lionel Richie and many others.www.rickbraun.comBrian Bromberg Quartet featuring Dave Weckl, Chuck Loeb,Mitch Forman and Nelson Rangell• Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the ReadingCrowne Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Reading Hotel)A versatile acoustic and electric bassist whohas mastered numerous subgenres in the jazzrealm — straight-ahead jazz, funk, smooth urbanjazz and fusion, Brian Bromberg — whose recordingcareer is quickly approaching the quarter centurymark — is also one of the few players of hisinstrument to master the tapping technique madefamous by Stanley Jordan, sometimes soundinglike three bassists at once.On his acoustic bass albums, Brombergperforms jazzy interpretations of various pop andrick braunbrian brombergrock staples from the ’60s and ’70s completely solo. Regarding his work withelectric bass, Bromberg, among other bassists, helped popularize the piccolobass, or bass with each string tuned an octave up, by releasing severalalbums in which he plays both the bassline and melody. Upon first listen, manylisteners will be surprised to learn that, although soaring guitar can be heardthroughout the album, Bromberg’s 2005 release Metal contains only Brombergon two overdubbed basses, one of which is heavily effects-laden to make itsound like an electric guitar. The Tucson, Ariz. native’s most recent recordingis 2007’s Downright Upright, and he performed at the 2007 Berks Jazz Festwith his Downright Upright All-StarsIn addition to a thriving solo recording career, Bromberg has performedwith a virtual who’s who of smooth, straight ahead and Latin jazz (ArturoSandoval, Herbie Hancock, Boney James) and as a producer has scored eightTop Ten (and two No. 1) smooth jazz hits.www.brianbromberg.netAnat Cohen quartet• Sunday, March 29, 3 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsRenowned saxophonist and clarinetist AnatCohen headlines the Jewish Federation of ReadingDay at the Berks Jazz Festival.Originally from Tel Aviv, the versatile musicianis rapidly becoming a major force on the globalworld music and jazz scene, with performances inEurope, Asia, the Middle East and South America.Aside from her extraordinary instrumental abilitieson soprano and tenor saxes, clarinet and flute,she has a natural ability to absorb the music ofdifferent cultures, process it and interpret it withher own special take.anat cohenAfter performing extensively in Israel, Cohen spent two years as a saxophonistand clarinetist with the Israeli Air Force Big Band. A scholarship to theBerklee College of Music brought her to Boston in 1996. After graduating withher BA in Professional Music from Berklee, she moved to New York City whereshe continues to perform with various bands in the city as well as keeping abusy international touring schedule.Cohen has been a longtime member of DIVA and Five Play. She is featuredon their latest CD, Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Live in Concert.While with DIVA, Anat has had the opportunity to perform with guest artistssuch as Nancy Wilson, Dave Brubeck, Slide Hampton and Diane Schuur.Cohen is also an integral part of a group called Choro Ensemble, the onlyNew York–based ensemble dedicated to the authentic instrumental choro traditionof Brazil. The group was a featured guest artist at the Apollo Theater withWynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. She began to performas a bandleader in New York City clubs in 2004, when she debuted her quartetat Sweet Rhythm.She has also been a member of Duduka Da Fonseca’s NY Samba Jazz(Brazilian Jazz), Brazooca Band (Brazilian Pop Music – MPB), Argentineanpianist/composer Pablo Ablanedo’s Octet Mango Blue (an Afro Latin Bandled by Ecuadorian Bassist Alex Alvear), and has recorded and toured withColombian bassist/composer Juan Sebastian Monsalve (Bunde Nebuloso withJason Lindner and Jeff Ballard).www.anatcohen.comBrian Culbertson• Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite CathedralThe 2008 Berks Jazz Fest wrapped with Brian Culbertson launching the tourbehind his then-upcoming 10th CD, Bringing Back The Funk, an in your face,old school-styled groovefest executive produced by Maurice White andfeaturing Bootsy Collins, the James Brown Horns (including Maceo Parker),Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Ronnie Laws and Gerald Albright. The album debutedat No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and spawned the No. 1radio hit “Always Remember.”The hitmaking keyboardist returns to jazz up BJF this year at the Scottishculbertson, CONTINUED ON PAGE 8Reading Eagle/WEEU Special Ticket Offer!featuringReading Pops Orchestrawith special guest saxophonistNelson RangellSunday, April 5 • 2 p.m.Miller Center for the ArtsThe Reading Pops Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Willis Rapp,and special guest saxophonist Nelson Rangell will celebratemusic from Rangell’s My American Songbook CD projects .Jazziz writes that Rangell is “an artist of depth, a master ofsong, and a wonderful improviser.”Such praise is confirmation of what jazz fans have knownfor more than 20 years. Rangell is one of the most excitingand diverse performers in the genre, equally adept atsoprano, alto, and tenor saxophone, as well as being agenuine virtuoso on flute, piccolo, and, yes, whistling.Reading Eagle/WEEU Special Ticket Offer!BUY ONEGET ONEFREEClip this coupon to get one freeticket with the purchase of one$40 ticket to the Pops/Rangellshow on Sunday, April 5!One coupon per ticket. Originals only; no photocopiesaccepted. Coupon must be presented at the Sovereign Centerbox office, 7th and Penn Streets, Reading, in order to receiveone free ticket. Tickets for this offer are limited.Sponsored by

A8 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranculbertson, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7Rite Cathedral on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.In its review of It’s On Tonight, Brian Culbertson’seighth album since 1994 and his 2005 GRP Recordsdebut, Jazziz Magazine proclaimed that thekeyboardist had officially become “the Barry Whiteof smooth jazz.”The Decatur, Ill., native is a master when itcomes to balancing that sense of cool seductionwith one of the most energetic and entertainingbrian culbertsonlive shows in the genre. One of the highlights ofany Culbertson show since 2003 has been havinghis dad, Jim Culbertson — still band director at MacArthur High School inDecatur, as he was when his son was a student there — playing trumpet in thehorn section.Back in 1994, when he was still a student at Chicago’s DePaul University,Culbertson self-produced his debut album, Long Night Out, followed in shortorder by Modern Life and After Hours (1996). With 1997’s Secrets, the hitskept on comin’ with “So Good,” “On My Mind,” and his tender, piano-drivenrendition of Marcus Miller’s “Straight to the Heart” (a song first recorded byDavid Sanborn). His catalog also includes Somethin’ Bout Love (1999), Nice &Slow (2001) and Come On Up (2003), which featured the beautiful “Our Love,”penned for his and his wife Michelle’s first wedding day dance.His association with GRP began in 2004, when he contributed a breathtakingrendition of “If Only For One Night” to GRP’s acclaimed Luther Vandrosstribute disc Forever, For Always, For Luther.In conjunction with the release of A Soulful Christmas in 2006, he launchedthe latest smooth jazz holiday touring franchise, Brian Culbertson’s A SoulfulChristmas. The 2007 lineup featured Gerald Albright, Howard Hewett and NickColionne. In 2007, he also played host on the Brian Culbertson All-Star SmoothJazz Cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest.www.brianculbertson.comEast Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Michael Paulo,Lee Thornburg plus Joyce Cooling Band• Saturday, April 4, 2 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerlySheraton Reading Hotel)Berks Jazz Fest getsfunkier than ever on the afternoonof April 4, when EastBay Soul, an all-star rotatingcollective led by former Towerof Power trumpet great GregAdams and famed soul singerPhil Perry, joins forces with east bay soulsaxophonist Michael Paulo andtrumpeter Lee Thornburg. The afternoon at the Plaza Reading also features aperformance by Bay Area-based guitar star Joyce Cooling.East Bay Soul is a combination of instrumental soul funk and rhythm andblues vocals built on a design to discover new achievements rather thanextend the past. Wide ranging and forward thinking, East Bay Soul is set tolead this new soundscape with a sharpened expertise from being on countlessstages worldwide.Look for the group’s new CD, due out this summer.Adams says, “We draw from my funk and R&B background with Tower ofPower and the influence it’s had over my soundand the sound that I gave to TOP through those25 years I was in the band. Taking that sound andbringing it into 2008, we’re creating an all new‘Metro Jazz,’ really a new approach of a meltingpot of contemporary urban rhythm and sound andcombining all the sounds from the city. The ethnicsounds of the trials of tribulations, the hard fought,the victories, sweetness and sadness. It comesthrough in the music in all forms. It’s world, it’s joyce coolingmetro, it’s edgy, it’s urban.”East Bay Soul’s horn section is headed up by the Grammy- and EmmynominatedAdams (whose most recent solo release is 2006’s Cool To TheTouch), Michael Paulo (longtime saxman for Al Jarreau, Peter White, PattiAustin, Jeffrey Osborne and Rick Braun who has a solo career extending backto 1989) and Lee Thornburg (former member of Supertramp, TOP and TheTonight Show band who has also worked with Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt andRay Charles). The ensemble’s original lyrics are crafted and sung in stunningfashion by Phil Perry, one of the finest R&B/urban jazz vocalists in contemporarymusic who won 2007 Soul Tracks Male Vocalist of the Year. Perry’s latestShanachie release is Ready For Love.On her 2004 album This Girl’s Got to Play — which was inspired by thesoul-searching she did post 9/11 — Joyce Cooling, one of smooth jazz’s coreguitar artists, made an ongoing commitment to making music about thingsthat matter. Her early album titles were clever twists on her name, but theRevolving Door she’s referring to on her latest heartfelt Narada Jazz recordingheads into deeper territory; it’s about the cycle of mental illness, which sheknows intimately about due to growing up with a brother who was schizophrenic.Cooling’s next CD, Global Cooling, will be available during the East Bay Soulperformance, several days before the official release date of April 7.www.eastbaysoul.com; www,joycecooling.comBéla Fleck: The Africa Project• Monday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsLegendary banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck brings hislatest world music excursion, The Africa Project,to the Berks Jazz Festival.Often considered the premier banjo player inthe world, Fleck is the winner of nine GrammyAwards and has been nominated 20 times inmore categories than anyone in history: country,pop, jazz, bluegrass, classical, folk, spoken word,composition and arranging.Last month, Fleck, along with his group BélaFleck & the Flecktones, was awarded a Grammybéla fleckfor Best Pop Instrumental Album for their holiday album, Jingle All the Way.Continuing his virtual reinvention of the image and sound of his uniqueinstrument, in his “Africa Project,” the multi-talented NYC native explores withnative musicians the little-known African roots of the banjo, highlighting howrichly diverse the continent’s music traditions truly are. Fleck recently producedthe documentary, “Throw Down Your Heart,” which was directed by SaschaPaladino and follows the musician’s journey through Uganda, Tanzania, TheGambia, and Mali as he explores the African roots of the banjo. Using his banjo,Fleck transcends barriers of language and culture, finding common groundand forging connections with musicians of very different backgrounds.The highly acclaimed film has won numerous accolades on the independentfestival circuit, including the 24 Beats Per Second Audience Award at the2008 South By Southwest Film Festival, the Best Music Documentary Awardat the Silverdocs Film Festival, the Documentary Audience Award at theVancouver International Film Festival and the Aspiring Filmmakers Award at the2008 Mountainfilm Festival, which is awarded by a panel of teenage judges.Fleck and bassist Victor Wooten formed Béla Fleck and the Flecktones in1988 with harmonica player Howard Levy and Wooten’s percussionist brotherRoy “Future Man” Wooten, who played synthesizer-based percussion. Levy leftthe group in 1992, making the band a trio until saxophonist Jeff Coffin joinedthe group onstage part-time in 1997 and eventually became a permanentmember.www.belafleck.com; www.throwdownyourheart.comGuitar Summit featuring Ken Gehret,Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel and Pete Rogosky• Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s JazzBase at the Reading Crowne Hotel (formerlySheraton Reading Hotel)On Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m., Berks JazzFest presents a special evening with veteran multiinstrumentalistKen Gehret’s Guitar Summit at7 p.m. at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base.ken gehretGehret has been performing as a musicianfor more than 30 years, primarily as a guitarist and violinist in varied musicalstyles. He performs, teaches, composes and arranges for over 17 instrumentsincluding voice, woodwind, reed, string and keyboards, but his mainfocuses are guitar and violin. Gehret’s musical experiences stem from aprimarily country music background, performing with well-known stars (fromthe age of 18) like Roy Clark and Mel Tellis. While with Jim and Jesse and theVirginia Boys, they were televised live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville,Tennessee.Gehret is also the designer/inventor of the 10 string M.I.D.I (Musical InstrumentDigital Interface). Summing up his fascinating career, he says, “Somepeople play golf with their friends, some play bridge, others jump from cliffsusing bungee cords. I like to play music with my friends because music iswhat I do and love. I love getting together with my musical friends to createinteresting and wonderful sounds. I believe music is the most honest andimmediate form of communication available to human beings.”Gehret will be joined by fellow guitarists Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel and PeteRogosky.Boney James• Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite CathedralOne of the true architects of the contemporary urban jazz sound, superstarsaxman Boney James makes his first Berks Jazz Fest appearance since 2007with a performance at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.Following the extraordinary multi-genre success of his 2006 ConcordRecords debut Shine, saxophonist and urban jazz icon Boney James gave histhousands of fans throughout the world a very special Christmas Present forthe 2007 holiday season.His latest album, Send One Your Love, a new collection of love songs, wasreleased on Concord Records in February, and enjoyed No. 1 spot on theBillboard chart.james, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A9artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranjames, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8The Lowell, Mass., native had a lot to celebrate.Upon its release in September 2006, Shine soldnearly 20,000 copies out of the box, debuting atNo. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart(where it remained for five weeks), No. 2 on theJazz Chart, No. 12 on the R&B Album Chart andNo. 44 on the Top 200 Album Chart. Shine alsobecame James’ first-ever Top Ten R&B album,peaking at No. 6.The illuminating cover of Shine — his first boney jamesrelease on Concord Records after more than adecade at Warner Bros. — shows the saxophonist and his horn silhouettedagainst the glorious sun, reflecting not only the upbeat vibes of the album butalso the powerful energy (including an average of 60-80 tour dates a year) he’sshared with smooth jazz fans since he released his debut Trust in 1992.Those joyful vibes, which he insists come from simply carrying on thepop/R&B traditions of his hero Grover Washington Jr., have made him one ofthe most successful artists in the genre for nearly 15 years. In a marketplacewhere most artists struggle to sell anywhere near 100,000 with each release,James has scored four certified gold albums (500,000 units) and receivedBest Pop Instrumental Album Grammy nominations for Ride (2001) and Pure(2004). One of his most popular discs was Shake It Up, his 2000 dual albumthen-Warner Bros. labelmate Rick Braun, which marked his fourth consecutiveNo. 1 hit on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. Confirming his incrediblecrossover appeal to the urban market, he has also over the years receivedtwo great honors that are generally reserved for African American artists: aSoul Train Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination.His next album, Send One Your Love, a new collection of love songs, will bereleased by Concord Records on Feb. 3.www.boneyjames.comJazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Jonathan Butler• Sunday, April 5, 7 p.m., Scottish Rite CathedralThe 19th Annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Festwraps in dynamic style with Jazz Attack, thebi-annual touring ensemble featuring three ofcontemporary jazz’s most compelling superstaricons, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxman Richard Elliotand singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler.Since the group’s first two tours in 2005 and2007, which also featured guitarist Peter White,Braun and Elliot have been on the road nonstopcelebrating the music of RnR, their first dual richard elliotrelease which hit No. 1 on the Billboard ContemporaryJazz Chart immediately upon its release in latesummer 2007. Its catchy first single, the title trackthey co-wrote with guitarist Chris Standring, wasalso an instant smash, staying at No. 1 on Radio &Records Contemporary Jazz airplay chart for overtwo months. For both musicians, the overridingconcept of RnR was to reach back beyond thecontemporary jazz era and draw on their individualroots with powerhouse horn sections, Elliot’s with jonathan butlerTower of Power (1982-87) and Braun’s with War(Mid-80s). RnR performed at Berks Jazz Fest last year.Braun set a record at the 2002 National Contemporary Jazz Awards inSan Diego by winning a total of five trophies. He also shared a Best Collaborationaward with labelmate Boney James for their 2000 hit Shake It Up, whichreigned at No. 1 on the Billboard chart for 11 weeks. Braun next ensembledwith Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown for BWB, which featured the No. 1 hittitle track “Groovin’,” and a popular U.S. tour in the fall of 2002.Twenty-two years, 16 albums and thousands of live performances intoone of the genre’s most remarkable careers, Elliot is still as enamored withrecording and performing as he was the minute he finished his debut albumInitial Approach in 1986. Elliot has produced many of his own projects, but inrecent years discovered a more mature and deeper artistry in collaboratingwith megaproducer Paul Brown and Steven Dubin.Born and raised in Cape Town during Apartheid, Jonathan Butler was only achild when he started singing and playing acoustic guitar. Racial segregationand poverty during Apartheid have been the subjects of many of his records.Butler’s international breakthrough came in 1987 with his Grammy nominatedhit “Lies,” and his recordings Do You Love Me? (1997) and Story Of Life (1999)made him a contemporary jazz superstar. His two most recent albums, TheWorship Project (2004) and Jonathan (2005), perfectly reflect the blend ofsacred and pop influences he brings to his music.www.rickbraun.com; www.richardelliot.com; www.jonathanbutler.comBobby Lyle & Paul Jackson Jr.Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery Tribute• Friday, April 3, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at theReading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)Berks Jazz Fest has paid homage to legendaryguitarist Wes Montgomery in the past — mostnotably at the concert that closed the event in2006 — but this year marks the first time that thefestival has paired the music of Wes with that of his1960s contemporary, Hammond B-3 organ greatJimmy Smith. Contemporary jazz greats BobbyLyle and Paul Jackson Jr. perform classics fromthese legends at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base.Jimmy Smith, whose performances on the B-3helped to popularize this instrument, was awardedin 2005 the NEA Jazz Masters Award from theNational Endowment for the Arts, the highesthonors that the United States bestows upon jazzmusicians. Montgomery’s fluid style and trademarkuse of octaves has inspired many of today’s mostpopular guitarists, including Lee Ritenour, GeorgeBenson and Norman Brown.More than 20 years after he toured as musicaldirector with Anita Baker during her “SweetLove”/Rapture heyday, people still come up tobobby lylepaul jackson jr.Bobby Lyle and say they remember him from those days. Others recall theEmmy-nominated keyboardist’s stints with Bette Midler, Al Jarreau and GeorgeBenson. Before signing with Heads Up to release Hands On, his 15th albumover a three decade solo career, Lyle made history with his 2004 double discStraight and Smooth, which became the first album in history to appear onBillboard’s contemporary jazz and traditional jazz charts simultaneously. Hislatest release is 2006’s Hands On.As he continues to cultivate his dual careers as a first call R&B/contemporary jazz sideman and solo artist, Paul Jackson Jr. keeps an intense,breakneck schedule that includes performing numerous solos onstage as partof the American Idol band. Since breaking into the Los Angeles studio scene inthe late ’70s, he has contributed his multi-faceted guitarisma to the biggestartists in R&B, jazz and rock: The Temptations, Michael Jackson (Thriller, Bad,History), Randy Crawford, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Koz, David Benoit, ArethaFranklin, Luther Vandross, Bobby Brown, Bela Fleck, Chicago, Anita Baker,Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Al Jarreau, George Duke andWhitney Houston, whom he toured with from 1994 through 1999.His most recent CD is the spiritual jazz classic Still Small Voice (2003). Heis releasing his next album, Lay It Back, in January.www.bobbylyle.com; www.pauljacksonjr.comJoe McBride & Kenny Blake• Friday, March 27, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz CabaretSinger and keyboardist Joe McBride is aBerks Jazz Fest favorite. The global appeal of JoeMcBride’s music is best summarized by a quotefrom a music critic in Capetown, who raved abouthis performance and praised the pianist/vocalist’stalent for “putting back the soul into what hasbecome a rather soulless smooth jazz idiom.McBride has established himself as one of thegenre’s most popular artists with his label releasesGrace (1992), A Gift for Tomorrow (1994), Keysto Your Heart (1996) and Double Take (1998), thelatter of which featured top smooth jazz all-starsDave Koz, Peter White, Rick Braun and LarryCarlton. His latest album, 2005’s Texas Hold ’Em,is a tribute to his adopted home state and thecurrent poker craze.McBride will also be performing for a jazzbrunch on Sunday, March 29, at 11 a.m. in theAbraham Lincoln Hotel.Kenny Blake also is no stranger to the Berksjoe mcbridekenny blakeJazz Fest. An internationally-acclaimed saxophonist,he has been performing for over 30 years. Blake’s smooth saxophone soundhas thrilled audiences worldwide, yet he keeps his roots and his home inPittsburgh. With five CDs to his credit his wide range of styles cover everythingfrom swing, Latin, ballads and standards of all kinds. Blake works with an arrayof top musicians and can perform as a duo, trio, quartet and can even add avocalist to provide a one-of-a-kind evening of entertainment.Metro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl,Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley, Bobby Franceschini• Saturday, April 4, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at theReading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)For those who want to experience some serious jamming beyond smoothjazz, Berks Jazz Fest is excited about presenting Fusion Saturday at GeraldVeasley’s Jazz Base. No ensemble has defined “fusion” better over the past15 years than Metro, which is led by two veteran performers whose careerstraverse the fusion, straight ahead and smooth jazz landscapes, keyboardistMitch Forman and guitarist Chuck Loeb.metro, CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

A10 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.19th annual vf outletchuck loebmindiabairvictorwooteneast bay soulmajor concertsmccoy tynerbéla fleck:the africa projectrick braunboneyjamestake 6geraldalbrighttierneysuttonthursday, march 267:00 p.m.: Berks Jazz Fest Preview ConcertKutztown University Jazz Faculty Group featuring Kevin Kjos,Scott Lee, Cathy Chemi, Alan Apple, Allison Miller and David CullenGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $10 at doorfriday, march 277:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.The Tierney Sutton BandGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $30Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend7:30 p.m.: Opening Night ConcertPeter White and Mindi AbairScottish Rite Cathedral: $49Sponsored by VF Outlet7:30 p.m.: Severn Records PresentsSevern Soul & Blues Revue featuring Steve Guyger, Big Joe Maher,Tad Robinson, Roy Tyler and New Directions, and the SevernRecords All-Star BandThe Inn at ReadingSponsored by Reading Phillies and Eagle Distributing10:00 p.m.Joe McBride & Kenny BlakeThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $2010:30 p.m.: World-Renowned BassistVictor WootenReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Penn National Gamingsaturday, march 282:00 p.m.: Sax for StaxGerald Albright & Kirk WhalumReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Vision Audi/The Q5 Launch3:00 p.m.: The Music of Gershwin and PorterDoc Mulligan and FriendsMiller Center for the Arts: $18Sponsored by Connors Investors Services Inc. and Jerlyn Foundation7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Fusion at the BaseSteve Smith & Vital InformationGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $30Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend7:30 p.m.: An Evening WithBrian CulbertsonScottish Rite Cathedral: $49Sponsored by Penske Truck Leasing7:30 p.m.: Severn Records PresentsSevern Soul & Blues Revue featuring Clarence Spady, DarrellNulisch, Lou Pride, and the Severn Records All-Star BandThe Inn at Reading: $38Sponsored by Reading Phillies and Eagle Distributing10:00 p.m.Uptown JAZZUP featuring Erich Cawalla & Jen KinderThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $1510:30 p.m.: The Music of Stevie WonderGerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon, Joe McBrideand the Berks Jazz Fest HornsReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by WFMZ-TV 69sunday, march 292:00 p.m.: Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener Appreciation DayAverage White Band plus Pieces of a DreamReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Smooth Jazz 92.73:00 p.m.: Jewish Federation of Reading ConcertAnat Cohen QuartetMiller Center for the Arts: $28Co-sponsored by Jewish Federation of Reading/JCC includingcongregations, Kesher Zion and Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom7:30 p.m.: Smooth and Soulful. . .Take 6 plus Wayman TisdaleScottish Rite Cathedral: $49Sponsored by Sovereign Bankmonday, march 307:30 p.m.: WXPN welcomesBéla Fleck: The Africa ProjectMiller Center for the Arts: $45Sponsored by Wachovia7:30 p.m.United States Army Jazz AmbassadorsReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: FREESponsored by Reading Eagle Company and Capital BlueCrosstuesday, march 317:30 p.m.United States Army Jazz Ambassadors plus the Berks CountyHigh School All-Star BandReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: FREESponsored by Reading Eagle Company and Capital BlueCross7:30 p.m.Andy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum BandMiller Center for the Arts: $20Sponsored by Reading Musical Foundation and Big John’s Cateringwednesday, april 17:00 p.m.: Bebop, Ballads and BluesBrian Bromberg Quartet featuring Dave Weckl, Chuck Loeb,Mitch Forman and Nelson RangellGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $20Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekendwednesday, april 17:30 p.m.: Blues-Rock Guitar VirtuosoJoe Bonamassa plus opening act Marianne KeithReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Land Displays7:30 p.m.: Kutztown University PresentsGiordano Jazz Dance ChicagoKutztown University Schaeffer Auditorium: $30; $27 studentsCall 683-4511 for information; www.kutztownpresents.orgthursday, april 27:00 p.m.Guitar Summit: Ken Gehret, Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel, Pete RogoskyGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $15Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend7:30 p.m.Chieli Minucci & Special EFX with the Berks Jazz Fest HornsThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $35Sponsored by Penn Corridor10:00 p.m.: Party at the PlazaBerks All-Star Jazz Jam: Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley,Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Dave Weckl, BobbyLyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, NelsonRangell, Matt Marshak, Richard ElliotReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Fraser Advanced Information Systems andKeystone Instant Printingfriday, april 37:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery TributeBobby Lyle & Paul Jackson Jr.Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $35Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend7:30 p.m.: Jason Miles presentsSoul Summit II featuring Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius,Maysa, Simone, Bob Babbitt, Reggie Young, Steve Ferrone andthe original Soul Survivors plus the Berks Jazz Fest HornsScottish Rite Cathedral: $49Sponsored by Toyota7:30 p.m.: An Evening WithPhoebe SnowMiller Center for the Arts: $45Sponsored by Sweet Street Desserts10:00 p.m.: Late-Night BluesThe Billy Price Band featuring special guest Fred ChapellierThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $25Sponsored by Quadrant10:00 p.m.: Celebrating “Kind of Blue”Tim Price & Rachel Z and the Department of Good and EvilThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $15Sponsored by Berks County Living10:30 p.m.The Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Kim WatersReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Bell Tower Salon and Spa and Good PropertyManagementsaturday, april 42:00 p.m.: Golden Gate Groove Double-HeaderEast Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Michael Paulo,Lee Thornburg plus Joyce Cooling BandReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by Verizon Wireless7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Fusion SaturdayMetro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl, RandyBrecker, Gerald Veasley, Bob FrancesciniGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $35Sponsored by The Anderson Group and Reading Eagle Weekend7:30 p.m.: An Evening WithBoney JamesScottish Rite Cathedral: $49Sponsored by Weidenhammer Systems7:30 p.m.: An Evening WithMcCoy Tyner Quartet featuring Gary BartzMiller Center for the Arts: $45This tour engagement of McCoy Tyner is funded through the American Masterpieces program ofthe Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, in partnership with the National Endowment for the ArtsAmerican Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius, a major initiative to acquaintAmericans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.Sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation/NEA10:00 p.m.: Back by Popular DemandRick Braun’s Tribute to Chet BakerThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $35Sponsored by VF Outlet10:00 p.m.: Celebrating “Kind of Blue”Tim Price & Rachel Z and the Department of Good and EvilThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $15Sponsored by Berks County Living10:30 p.m.: WXPN welcomesThe Derek Trucks BandReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by VIST Financialsunday, april 52:00 p.m.: Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener Appreciation DayDavid Benoit plus Warren HillReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39Sponsored by National Penn Bank2:00 p.m.: My American SongbookNelson Rangell and the Reading Pops OrchestraMiller Center for the Arts: $40Sponsored by WEEU 830 AM and Reading Eagle Company7:00 p.m.: Festival FinaleJazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Jonathan ButlerScottish Rite Cathedral: $49Sponsored by Lasting Image Promotional Productshow to purchase tickets• www.berksjazzfest.com and order directly online• Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com• Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading, PA 19602

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.berks jazz festlocal events *Sunday, March 22, 2009 A11presented byfestival sponsorfriday, march 2711:30 a.m.: Berks Jazz Fest Kickoff LunchThe Groovemasters featuring Bennie Sims &Cliff Starkey plus special guests Erich Cawalla& Jen KinderThe Peanut Bar Restaurant332 Penn St., Reading, PA 196021-800-515-8500; www.peanutbar.com11:30 a.m.: BC and the Blues Crewjudy’s...on cherry332 Cherry St., Reading, PA 19602610-374-8511; www.judysoncherry.com5:30 p.m.: Old Friends featuring ReggieBrown, Bennie Sims & Cliff StarkeySam’s Goose House Bar & Restaurant1665 N. 10th St., Reading, PA 19604; 610-373-20406:30 p.m.: Neil WrightAdrienne’s Inn at Centre Park730 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601610-374-8557; www.adriennesinnatcentrepark.com6:30 p.m.: The Blues FactorAmerican House Hotel2 N. Fourth St., Hamburg, PA 19526610-562-46837 p.m.: Connie Rainis, Randy Sarles &FriendsGracie’s 21st Century CaféManatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com7 p.m.: Carl Zeplin & Tim GrossThe Inn at Moselem SpringsRoutes 422 & 662, Fleetwood, PA 19522610-944-8213; www.innatmoselemsprings.com8 p.m.: By RequestThe Evergreen Club415 Hartz Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522610-944-7501; www.evergreenclub.org8 p.m.: Blues NightCOCODeCarlo’s Bar & Grill240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com9 p.m.: Skip Moyer QuartetThe Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse30 S. Fourth St., Reading, PA 19602610-685-8511; www.speckledhenpub.com9 p.m.: Bobby NewtonChill Lounge2747 Bernville Road, Leesport, PA 19533610-916-2343; www.chilllounge.net9:30 p.m.: D3 & CompanyBlind Hartman’s Tavern2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560610-370-71809:30 p.m.: Dance Hall DocsCanal Street Pub & Restaurant535 Canal St., Reading, PA 19602610-376-4009; www.canalstreetpub.com10 p.m.: Josh Taylor TrioBixler’s Lodge1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606610-779-9936saturday, march 2810 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Fest for KidsCows Don’t Fly & Other Well-Known FactsInstitute of the Arts1100 Belmont Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610610-376-1576; www.institute-of-arts.org11:30 a.m.: Brazilian Jazz BrunchKen Gehret and Braziliancejudy’s...on cherry332 Cherry St., Reading, PA 19602610-374-8511; www.judysoncherry.comNoon: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food CourtHill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.comNoon: Leon Jordan Jr. QuintetThe Peanut Bar Restaurant332 Penn St., Reading, PA 196021-800-515-8500; www.peanutbar.com1 p.m.: Blues LunchLil’ RaguThe Pike Café930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com1 p.m.: Exeter Community BandHopewell Furnace National Historic Site2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, PA 19520610-582-8773; www.nps.gov/hofu/2 p.m.: The Reese ProjectThe Manor at Market Square803 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601610-373-0800; www.manoratms.com4 p.m.: Rittenhouse Jazz QuartetAtonement Lutheran Church5 Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610610-375-3512; www.atonementwyo.org4 p.m.: Early Bird Dinner MusicCliff StarkeyUpland Café700 Upland Ave., Reading, PA 19607610-370-78157 p.m.: Children’s Alopecia Project’s Spring SpectacularReminisceVF Designer’s PlaceHill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com8 p.m.: Krypton City Blues BandDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com9:30 p.m.: Dave Mell Blues BandBlind Hartman’s Tavern2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560610-370-718010 p.m.: The Standard Quartet featuring CarlZeplin, Tim Gross, Trey LaRue and Matt CullenBixler’s Lodge1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606610-779-9936sunday, march 2910 a.m.: Jazz WorshipJazz Combo & Big Band plus KutztownMiddle School Jazz BandSt. John’s United Church of Christ, Kutztown257 W. Walnut St., Kutztown, PA 19530610-683-853110 a.m.: Bagels & BachSIORAReading Public Museum500 Museum Road, West Reading, PA 19611610-371-5850; www.readingpublicmuseum.org10:30 a.m.: Worship ServiceReading High School CastleairesGrace Lutheran Church33 S. 11th St., Reading610-375-3961; www.readinggrace.com11 a.m.: Jazz BrunchJoe McBrideThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel100 N. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19601610-372-3700www.wyndham.com/hotels/RDGHT/main.wnt11 a.m.: Jazz BrunchGAMUT featuring Erwin Chandler and friendsThe Inn at Reading1040 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, 19610610-372-7811; www.innatreading.comNoon: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food CourtHill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.comNoon: Neil Wright TrioGracie’s 21st Century CaféManatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com2 p.m.: International Jazz AfternoonNewpoli-Southern Italian Folk EnsembleFrancis Hall Auditorium, Alvernia College400 Saint Bernardine St., Reading, PA 196071-888-ALVERNIA2 p.m.: BVNA 100th Anniversary CelebrationDeanna ReubenBerks Visiting Nurses Association/Wyomissing1170 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610610-378-04813 p.m.: Joyful JazzBeverly McDevitt, Michael Trach & SkipMoyerSt. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Reading1559 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19602610-373-31354 p.m.: Blues DinnerDuck Soup & the Fowl Mouth HornsThe Pike Café930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.comtuesday, march 317 p.m.: Skip Moyer BandReading Liederkranz143 Spook Lane, Reading, PA 19606610-373-3982; www.readingliederkranz.com7:30 p.m.: An Evening of Jazz/FunkBig Beat TornadoHoly Cross United Methodist Church/Reading329 N. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19601610-373-7260; memholycross.homestead.comwednesday, april 111:30: DID Berks Jazz Fest Mid-Day CaféPretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandSovereign Performing Arts Center136 N. Sixth Street, Reading, PA 19601610-898-7299www.sovereigncenter.com5:30 p.m.: David CullenBensi Ristorante ItalianoThe Shoppes at Wyomissing700 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-375-3222www.bensirestaurants.com6:30 p.m.: Skip Moyer QuartetBlind Hartman’s Tavern2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560610-370-71806:30 p.m.: Deanna ReubenDans Restaurant1049 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601610-373-2075www.dansrestaurant.com7:30 p.m.: Neil WrightCousin’s Pub/Shoemakersville1360 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA 19555610-562-52028 p.m.: The Suzy Dalton Jazz QuintetThe Peanut Bar Restaurant332 Penn St., Reading, PA 196021-800-515-8500www.peanutbar.comthursday, april 26:30 p.m.: Neil Wright & Diana DupreDans Restaurant1049 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601610-373-2075; www.dansrestaurant.com8 p.m.: David CullenUpland Café700 Upland Ave., Reading, PA 19607610-370-78158 p.m.: Bobby Newton & FriendsDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602610-378-8121www.decarlosbarandgrill.comfriday, april 311:30 a.m.: David CullenBensi Ristorante ItalianoThe Shoppes at Wyomissing700 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-375-3222; www.bensirestaurants.com6:30 p.m.: Ray Allen & FriendsGalen Hall Country ClubGalen Hall Road, Wernersville, PA 19565610-678-54247 p.m.: Neil WrightGracie’s 21st Century CaféManatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com7 p.m.: Josh Taylor TrioSam’s Goose House Bar & Restaurant1665 N. 10th St., Reading, PA 19604610-373-20408 p.m.: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandThe Evergreen Club415 Hartz Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522610-944-7501; www.evergreenclub.org8 p.m.: Jim MeckCousin’s Pub/Shoemakersville1360 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA 19555610-562-52029 p.m.: Bluzin’ with Bev ConklinThe Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse30 S. Fourth St., Reading, PA 19602610-685-8511; www.speckledhenpub.com9 p.m.: BunchafunkDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com9 p.m.: Bobby NewtonChill Lounge2747 Bernville Road, Leesport, PA 19533610-916-2343; www.chilllounge.net9:30 p.m.: Blues PartyDuck Soup & the Fowl Mouth HornsBlind Hartman’s Tavern2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560610-370-718010 p.m.: Carl Zeplin & Tim GrossBixler’s Lodge1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606610-779-9936saturday, april 410 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Fest for KidsCows Don’t Fly & Other Well-Known FactsInstitute of the Arts1100 Belmont Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610610-376-1576; www.institute-of-arts.orgNoon: Jimmy Z’s Bone Tom Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food CourtHill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.com1 p.m.: Jazz/Blues LunchD3 & CompanyThe Pike Café930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com7:30 p.m.: The Suzy Dalton Jazz QuintetYR ClubParkside Drive South & Thrush Road,Wyomissing, PA 19610610-376-1303; www.berksyrclub.com8 p.m.: Uniques featuring James TisdaleDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill240 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602610-378-8121; www.decarlosbarandgrill.com9 p.m.: Rob Diener & AnomalyCanal Street Pub & Restaurant535 Canal St., Reading, PA 19602610-376-4009; www.canalstreetpub.com9 p.m.: Seth Mellon & Gerry WernerUpland Café700 Upland Ave., Reading, PA 19607610-370-78159:30 p.m.: Blues NightLil’ RaguBlind Hartman’s Tavern2910 Pricetown Road, Reading, PA 19560610-370-718010 p.m.: Skip Moyer QuartetBixler’s Lodge1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606610-779-9936sunday, april 5Noon: Jimmy Z’s Bone Tom Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food CourtHill Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610610-378-0408; www.vfoutletcenter.comNoon: Jazz BrunchConnie Rainis, Randy Sarles & FriendsGracie’s 21st Century CaféManatawny Road, Pine Forge, PA 19548610-323-4004; www.gracies21stcentury.com12:30 p.m.: David CullenDans Restaurant1049 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601610-373-2075; www.dansrestaurant.com4 p.m.: David Cullen & Kelly MeasheyBixler’s Lodge1456 Friedensburg Road, Reading, PA 19606610-779-99364 p.m.: Blues DinnerDave Mell Blues BandThe Pike Café930 Pike St., Reading, PA 19604610-373-6616; www.pikecafe.com*cover or music charge may applysponsorshotelsaverage white bandphoebesnowjoebonamassaderektruckswarrenhillandynarell

A12 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranmetro, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9After three years studying at the Manhattan Schoolof Music, Forman, a New York native, began workingwith bands in NYC and began touring and recording withGerry Mulligan and Stan Getz. He later hit the road withroad with Phil Woods, Carla Bley, Mel Tormé and AstrudGilberto, recorded two solo piano albums and toured inEurope regularly. Forman then joined John McLaughlinon tour and contributed to two of his recordings, theseminal Mahavishnu and Adventures in Radioland. In additionto numerous solo recordings, Forman has workedwith Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Mike Stern, JanisSiegel, Dave Samuels, Diane Schuur, Gary Burton, PatMetheny, Freddie Hubbard, Rickie Lee Jones, Rick Braunand Jeff Golub. He has been part of Metro’s five criticallyacclaimed albums, most recently Metrolive (2004).Chuck Loeb’s 2009 CD Between 2 Worlds is hissecond release for Heads Up after seven recordings asa leader for Shanachie Entertainment. More than simplya brilliant jazz guitarist, Chuck Loeb has produced anumber of high-profile artists, including Spyro Gyra, BobJames, Walter Beasley, Larry Coryell and Kim Waters.Perhaps best known for his influential and groundbreakingwork with his saxophonist brother Michael— collectively known as The Brecker Brothers — RandyBrecker has been shaping the sound of jazz, R&B androck for more than three decades, gracing hundreds ofalbums by everyone from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteenand Chaka Khan to George Benson, Frank Zappaand Steely Dan. Last month, Brecker won a GrammyAward for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his 2008release Randy in Brasil.In 2005, Gerald Veasley responded to the clamoramong his fans for a live recording with At The JazzBase!, which was recorded at the club in November2004. His latest studio album is 2008’s Your Move.Saxophonist Bobby Franceschini has worked withChaka Khan, George Benson, Woody Shaw, DaveValentin, Kenny Kirkland, Eddie Palmieri, Michel Camilo,Willie Colon, Victor Bailey and Charlie Sepulveda.www.chuckloeb.com; www.mitchelforman.comchuck loebrandy breckermitch formandave wecklbobby franceschiniChieli Minucci & Special EFX with the Berks Jazz Fest Hornsand special guest Nelson Rangell• Thursday, April 2, 7:30 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel BallroomIn his first Berks Jazz Fest appearance since 2006, guitarist extraordinaireChieli Minucci brings the latest lineup of his longtime jazz/world fusion groupSpecial EFX to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Addingto his always dynamic energy will be specialguests, the Berks Jazz Fest horns.One of the two founding members of SpecialEFX, Minucci has scored major successes as acomposer and guitarist in many styles. His diversecareer includes playing on the recordings of suchmajor R&B/pop stars as Celine Dion, Jewel, TheBackstreet Boys, Mark Anthony and JenniferLopez, recording numerous smooth jazz radio hits chieli minucciand composing Emmy Award-winning music fortelevision shows and big stage productions suchas Dora The Explorer and Thomas & Friends Live.He formed his first group, Taurus, at age 13and was introduced to jazz while attending IthacaCollege in upstate New York. He later gainedsome invaluable on-the-gig training with the NYCbasedR&B band BB & Q. He met percussionistGeorge Jinda at a jam session and they formedSpecial EFX in 1982, recording for GRP, JVC and berks jazz fest hornsultimately Shanachie as they helped chart theevolution of contemporary jazz. Minucci also recorded three solo projects forJVC before signing with Shanachie in 2000. His latest solo release for the labelis Sweet Surrender (2007).Special EFX had 13 albums under its belt when creative differences sawthe amicable parting of Minucci and Jinda in the mid-’90s. Minucci launched asuccessful solo career and Jinda recorded a 14th Special EFX album, 1996’sHere To Stay. Jinda then suffered a devastating asthma/diabetic attack thatleft him with a neurological condition called myoclonic disorder. With the blessingof Jinda and his wife, Minucci kept the Special EFX vision alive with the helpof saxophonist David Mann. The percussionist passed away in 2002. Minucci’slast Special EFX release was Party in 2003.www.chielimusic.comDoc Mulligan presents The Music of Gershwin and Porter• Saturday, March 28, 3 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsBeloved trombonist, composer and arrangerRobert “Doc Mulligan will be joined by a roster ofgreat local musicians, including Bill Hicks and DougMatz on trumpet; Chuck Dressler on trombone;Erwin Chandler, French horn; Tom Strohman, altosaxophone and flute; Mike Eben, tenor sax andflute; Chris Heslop, baritone sax and alto flute;Marty Mellinger, piano; Keith Mohler, bass; LewLeabman, drums; and guests Joanna Pascal,vocalist; and Larry McKenna on tenor sax. doc mulligan“(Gershwin and Cole) were great songwriters,”Mulligan said. “They wrote so many good tunes and you can’t hear them today.This is our attempt to present the best in American music; people should behearing these things.”He said the show will feature mostly tunes from either shows or movies.Last May, Mulligan performed the American Songbook with different artists,also in the Miller Center.Mulligan, a Spring Township resident, began his musical career playing inhis high school band. He continued through college, but then took a sabbaticalfrom music while in medical school. He resumed playing again in the late1950s. In the 1960s, he played with the Hafer-Jacobsen Orchestra, and thenformed Trombones Incorporated in the 1970s. He found himself often havingto balance his love of music with his love of his career as a radiologist.Andy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band• Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsOn Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m., BerksJazz Fest presents a very special, tropically tinged“trip to the islands” with world-renowned steel panmaster Andy Narell and the Catonsville High SteelDrum Band.With the release of his fifth Heads Up recordingTatoom in 2007, Narell continued his extraordinarymusical journey. On his 13th solo album— which joins his discography as co-leader of theCaribbean Jazz Project with Dave Samuels andPaquito D’Rivera in the mid-1990s and two discsandy narellwith Sakesho — the master musician once again took the sound of the bigsteel band into uncharted jazz territory with special guests Mike Stern, DavidSanchez and Luis Conte.In addition to his dynamic solo recording and global touring career, Narellhas over the years performed and recorded with artists as diverse as ChuchoValdes, Bela Fleck, Marcus Miller, Angelique Kidjo, Toto, Nancy Wilson, DavidRudder, Dr. Billy Taylor, Irakere, Tito Puente, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira,Vince Mendoza and The WDR Big Band, Maraca and the Kronos String Quartet.He has also played on numerous movie scores by James Horner, MauriceJarre, Elmer Bernstein, Hans Zimmer, Michel Colombier and Thomas Newman,and his compositions have been featured in the film “The Firm” and TV showslike “Designing Women” and “Going to Extremes,” as well as commercials forApple Computers, Sony, Porsche and Southwest Bell.As a bandleader, he has played hundreds of concerts and jazz festivalsthroughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, the Caribbean, South Americanarell, CONTINUED ON PAGE 13Getting around during the festhotel/major concert venue addresses• The Abraham Lincoln HotelFifth & Washington streets, Reading, 19601; 610-372-3700• Best western reading inn2299 Lancaster Pike, Reading, 19601; 610-777-7888• Comfort Inn2200 Stacy Drive, Reading, 19605; 610-371-0500• Country Inn & Suites405 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-373-4444• Days Inn910 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-374-1500• Econo Lodge635 Spring St., Wyomissing, 19610; 610-378-5105• Hampton Inn1800 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-374-8100• Holiday Inn Express2389 Bernville Road, Reading, 19605; 610-372-0700• Homewood SuitesRoute 222 north, 2801 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, 19610;610-736-3100• The Inn at Reading1040 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-372-7811• miller center for the arts/RACC4 North Second Street, Reading, 19601; 610-607-6205• READING CROWNE HOTEL1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, 19610; 610-376-3811• scottish rite cathedral310 S. Seventh Ave., West Reading, 19611; 610-373-0104directionsReading crowne Hotel area (formerly sheration readinghotel) to The Abraham Lincoln Hotel:Access to the hotel is off Paper Mill Road and it faces Woodland Road. Fromthe parking lots, make a right onto Paper Mill Road (you can’t make a left) andgo to the light and make a right onto Berkshire Boulevard. At the next light (youwill see Home Depot) make a right onto Crossing Drive. Go through the nexttraffic light (Woodland Road) and take the first right onto the bypass on-ramp(Route 12 east/Route 422 east).Stay in the right lane and take the second exit (for 222 south/422 east,Lancaster/Pottstown). You will go about two miles to the third exit on the right(Penn Street, Reading).***Merge onto the Penn Street bridge. Get into the left lane to be able to gostraight. At the fourth traffic light, make a left onto Fifth Street and go to thesecond traffic light. The Abraham Lincoln Hotel is on the corner of Fifth andWashington streets. Make a left onto Washington Street (a one-way street) anda right into the parking garage. It looks like you are turning into the building.The Abraham Lincoln Hotel to the reading crowne hotel area:The Abraham Lincoln Hotel parking garage exits to Fifth Street. Make aright onto it and make an immediate right at the light onto Washington Street.Continue on Washington to third traffic light and stay in the middle lane. At thelight the left two lanes turn left. After turning left, get in the far right lane. Youwill have to turn right at the next light, which will then take you onto the PennStreet bridge.Stay in the right lane and take the on-ramp for 422 west. Continue on 422west to the third exit (422 west Lebanon), which will keep you on 422.Stay in the right lane and get off immediately at the Paper Mill Road exit.At the traffic light go straight to access the Reading Crowne Hotel parking lots.The Inn at Reading and Country Inn and Suites area todowntown Reading:Bypass-travel route: Turn right on to Park Road (from either accommodations)and go the traffic light at the intersection with Wyomissing Boulevard. Ifcoming from the Inn at Reading, make a left, if coming from the Country Innand Suites, make a right onto Wyomissing Boulevard. Get in the right lane totake the on-ramp for 422 east and take the bypass to the second exit, PennStreet, Reading. Follow directions in first description (***) to get to TheAbraham Lincoln Hotel.No bypass-travel required route: From Inn at Reading, turn right ontoPark Road, from Country Inn and Suites, turn left onto Park Road. You willpass the VF Outlet complex on your left and ViVa Good Life Bistro & Lounge(ViVa is currently closed) on your right. Continue to the intersection withPenn Avenue and make a left turn onto Penn Avenue. It will become PennStreet as soon as you cross over the bridge into Reading.The Inn at Reading and Country Inn and Suites area to thereading crowne hotel:Turn right onto Park Road from either of the parking lots. From the Inn atReading, make a right at the first light onto Spring Street. From the Country Innand Suites, Spring Street will be the second light encountered on Park Road.Make a left onto Spring Street.At the first stop sign, make a right onto Crossing Drive. Go to the traffic lightand make a left onto Woodland Road. At the next light, make a right onto PaperMill Road and the Reading Crowne Hotel entrance is immediately on your right.directional notesFifth Street in Reading becomes Business Route 222 (also referred to asthe Allentown Pike) north of the city. Fourth Street in Reading becomes Route61 (also referred to as the Pottsville Pike) north of the city. Lancaster Avenuein Reading and Shillington becomes Business Route 222 south (also referredto as the Lancaster Pike).“The Bypass” can refer to two roads in Reading. The West Shore Bypass isaccessed via the Penn Street bridge and connects Route 422 and Route 222and runs along the western border of the city. The Warren Street Bypass isknown as Route 12. It wraps around the city from the west (Route 422) andruns along the northern edge to Route 61 and Route 222.important contactsAAA Reading-Berks: 920 Van Reed Road, Wyomissing, 19610;roadside assistance: 610-374-7433; customer service: 610-374-4531; travelagency: 610-374-5600; www.aaardgberks.comberks arts council: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 WashingtonStreet, Suite 523, Reading, 19603. 610-898-1930; www.berksarts.orgReading Hospital and Medical Center: Sixth Avenue and SpruceStreet, West Reading, 19611. 610-988-8000; www.readinghospital.orgSt. Joseph Medical Center: 2500 Bernville Road (Route 183) inBern Township and the St. Joseph Medical Center Downtown Reading, 145 N.Sixth St., Reading. Phone for both locations 610-378-2000. www.thefutureofhealthcare.orgshoppingVF Outlet Village, Hill and Park roads, Wyomissing, just over the PennStreet bridge from Reading. www.vfoutletcenter.comBerkshire Mall, State Hill and Woodland roads in Wyomissing (PaperMill Road exit of Route 422 westbound). www.berkshiremallpa.comBroadcasting Square shopping center, Paper Mill and Broadcastingroads in Spring Township.Fairgrounds Square mall, Fifth Street Highway (Route 222) inMuhlenberg Township, just north of Reading of Reading. www.shopatfairgrounds.comThe Shoppes at Wyomissing, intersection of Route 422 and Route222. Take Woodland Road to The Shoppes. www.theshoppesatwyomissing.comListen to Paul Scott’smorning show LIVEfrom the festivalSmooth Jazz 92.7 WSJW,headed by program and musicdirector Paul Scott, has beeninvolved with the Berks JazzFest for the past four years.This year, Scott said theCentral PA station will be broadcastingall 10 days, adding hismorning show to the mix.Scott will broadcast his6 a.m. to 10 a.m. show livefrom the lobby of the ReadingCrowne Hotel, with artistinterviews as well as chatswith festival goers and thepeople who make the jazz festpossible.“I am open to any and all whowould like to come and sharetheir experience,” Scott said.This is in addition to their liveweekend broadcasts beforemajor shows.“We want to describe thefeeling, get everybody psychedup,” Scott said. “You have toexperience it. It’s a huge musiclove fest. Artists are accessible;Friday, March 27• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Scottish Rite Cathedral prior toPeter White and Mindi AbairSaturday, March 28• Noon to 2 p.m.Reading Crowne Hotel prior toGerald Albright & Kirk Whalum• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Scottish Rite Cathedral prior toBrian CulbertsonSunday, March 29• Noon to 2 p.m.Reading Crowne Hotel prior toAverage White Band plus Piecesof a Dream• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Scottish Rite Cathedral prior toTake 6 plus Wayman Tisdaleit’s a great, great time.”As well as on-air promotionsprior to the festival and theirlive fest broadcasts, WSJWsponsors two Listener AppreciationConcerts each year.This year, the station ispresenting the Average WhiteBand plus Pieces of a Dreamon Sunday, March 29; andDavid Benoit plus Warren Hillon Sunday, April 5. Both showsare at 2 p.m. in the ReadingCrowne Hotel ballroom.“You can’t beat two concertsfor the price of one,” Scott saidabout the AWD/Pieces of aDream show. “And David Benoitand Warren Hill are two heavyhitters.”He said he wouldn’t be surprisedthat if, to close the show,the artists jammed together.“They love to play,” he said.“They’d play all day and all nightif you let them. You just neverknow what’s going to happen.”Smooth Jazz 92.7 broadcast scheduleMonday, March 30through Friday, April 3• 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.Paul Scott’s morning show inthe Reading Crowne Hotel lobbySaturday, April 4• Noon to 2 p.m.Reading Crowne Hotel prior toEast Bay Soul• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Scottish Rite Cathedral prior toBoney JamesSunday, April 5• Noon to 2 p.m.Reading Crowne Hotel prior toDavid Benoit plus Warren Hill• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Scottish Rite Cathedral prior toJazz AttackListen online at www.smoothjazz927.com

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.Sunday, March 22, 2009 A13artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widrannarell, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12and South Africa. In 1999, Narell became the first foreigner to compose forTrinidad’s Panorama steel band competition, guiding the 100-player SkiffleBunch Steel Orchestra to the finals of both the 1999 and 2000 Panoramas.Narell also has been an artist in residence at North Texas St. University,Wichita St. University, University of West Virginia, University of Akron, Universityof Illinois, Northern Illinois University, Miami University, University of SouthernMississippi and many other schools. He is currently living in Paris and workingwith Sakesho and the Andy Narell Steel Band Project.The Billy Price Band featuring special guest Fred Chapellier• Friday, April 3, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel BallroomGet ready to ring in the second weekend of theBerks Jazz Fest with some Late Night Blues,featuring the East Coast blue-eyed soul of theBilly Price Band with special guest, guitarist andvocalist Fred Chapellier.Price has been entertaining audiences for thepast three decades and is an institution in hishometown of Pittsburgh. Geoffrey Himes of theWashington Post once wrote of him, “Unlike somany blues revivalists, Price is not an imitation ofolder, better singers — he’s the real thing.”Since forming The Billy Price Band in 1990, thebilly price andfred chapelliergroup has performed popular songs from Price’s years with Buchanan and theKeystone Rhythm Band as well as new interpretations of blues, R&B and soulclassics.Members of the Billy Price Band are Steve Delach (guitar), Paul Thompson(bass), Dave Dodd (drums), Jimmy Britton (keyboards), Joe Herndon (trumpet),Eric DeFade (tenor sax) and Rick Matt (baritone and tenor sax).Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association withguitarist Roy Buchanan, with whom he toured the U.S. and Canada, playingsuch venues as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Newport Jazz Festival, TheRoxy and the Troubadour in Los Angeles, and the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Hisfirst group, Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band, ran from 1977 to 1990,during which time they recorded four critically acclaimed LPs and developed areputation as one of the most exciting touring bands in the U.S.In July 2003, the Billy Price Band gave a critically acclaimed performanceat the Belgium Rhythm & Blues Festival — Price’s first-ever appearance inEurope. A DVD of the concert titled “Funky...Funky Soul!!!” was released inlate 2003. The band’s latest release is 2006’s East End Avenue on BonedogRecords.In November 2007, Price toured France with Fred Chapellier and sang “ANickel and a Nail” on Chapellier’s most recent CD, A Tribute to Roy Buchanan.Chapellier has played blues with Don Ray Johnson, Boney Fields, AudreyMadison, Neal Black and others. In 2004, he was was proclaimed “Best NewBlues Artist of The Year” and “Best Guitar Player of The Year” by Les TrophéesFrance Blues.www.billyprice.com; www.fredchapellier-blues.comTim Price & Rachel Zand the Department of Good and Evil• Friday, April 3, 10 p.m., The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz CabaretTim Price is a Selmer saxophone clinician and aBerklee College of Music graduate.He has played with musicians like Bennie Green,Hans Dulfer, Lew Tabackin, Ray Drummond, JonMayer, Cecil Payne, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts,Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones, Gary Burton,Doc Severinson, Dr. John, Phil Woods, and ErnieKrivda, Rachel Z, Sue Terry, and John LaPorta, toname but a few.He’s spent years in the trenches with the big tim pricebands of Tommy Dorsey under both MurrayMcEachern and later Buddy Morrow, Glenn Millerunder Buddy DeFranco, Cab Calloway and HarryJames.Tim’s bassoon has been a part of the Lawrence“Butch” Morris Orchestra at the 2004 “VisionFestival” in New York City as well as Rome andother destinations.Price has been the recipient of a PennsylvaniaCouncil on the Arts fellowship jazz grant four times. rachel zHe has authored three books on sax playing and has a sax Web site for teachingat www.saxontheweb.net/Price/.Tim lives in Reading and performs and does clinics throughout the world.He teaches in New York City and from his home studio.As fearless in her eclectic, ever-evolving approach to jazz piano as she isbold in creating sweeping thematic concepts, Rachel Z has proven masterfulover the course of eight solo releases in bridging both generations and genres.Stylishly blending her bebop and progressive jazz sensibilities with an equalaffinity for the most exciting pop and rock artists of the past few decades,she’s fashioned groundbreaking tributes to the female artists who haveinspired her (A Room Of One’s Own), saxophone legend and frequent collaboratorWayne Shorter (On The Milkyway Express), Joni Mitchell (Moon At TheWindow) and — on her most recent three recordings, which includeoccasional originals and vocals— fascinating re-workings of songs madefamous by The Rolling Stones, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, U2 andNine Inch Nails, among others.Declaring to the world, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that “jazz is not dead,it is alive and right here!,” Rachel’s latest fascinating creative stop, 2007’s Deptof Good and Evil, found her in a slightly goth state of mind, which complementsthe mix of popular and more obscure pop/rock covers and lyrical andsoulful originals penned by her and longtime drummer and collaborator BobbieRae.After graduating from New England Conservatory with a “Distinction inPerformance” award while working professionally in the Boston area withperformers like Bob Moses, Miroslav Vitous and George Garzone, she begantouring with former schoolmate turned R&B/jazz star, saxman Najee and laterco-wrote the title track for his No. 1 album Tokyo Blue.While performing and recording steadily with the classic fusion band StepsAhead from 1988 through 1996, she also worked with Al Di Miola, LarryCoryell, Special EFX and Angela Bofill, and began a fruitful association withproducer/vibraphonist Mike Manieri, head of NYC Records. Manieri producedher Columbia Records debut Trust the Universe in 1993.After her single venture into smooth jazz with Love Is The Power in 1998,she joined Vertu, a fusion supergroup formed by Stanley Clarke and his ReturnForever bandmate, drummer Lenny White. She later toured the world withpop/rock legend Peter Gabriel.www.timpricejazz.com; www.rachelz.com

A14 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranNelson Rangell and the Reading Pops Orchestra• Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsThe second-to-last concert at the 19th annualBerks Jazz Fest is a special live presentation ofthe music of My American Songbook, veteransaxophonist and flutist Nelson Rangell’s criticallyacclaimed 2005 release on Koch Records. Theshow, which he will be performing with specialguest the Reading Pops Orchestra will take placeon Sunday, April 5.After 15 years of being a recording artist onvarious labels, Rangell followed his Koch debut AllI Hope For Christmas with a project that featuredsome familiar tunes yet unlimited horizons exploringterritory beyond any of his previous commerciallydefined confines.Redefining classics renowned (LeonardBernstein’s “America,” Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t YouWorry ’Bout A Thing,” Vince Guaraldi’s “Cast YourFate To The Wind,” Earth Wind & Fire’s “That’s TheWay of the World”) and lesser heard (the traditional“Billy Boy,” once recorded by Miles Davis), Rangell’slabor of love was a majestic undertaking reflectingnelson rangellreading pops orchestrahis deep love for jazz (straight-ahead and smooth), pop, Latin and R&B.More importantly, aside from the sax, he was featured on flute and piccolo(most explosively on the trad-jazz piece “Freda,” with the help of Russell Ferranteand Jimmy Haslip) and even whistled his way through Hampton Hawes’“Sonora,” a longtime staple of his live shows.Genre tastemaker Jazziz Magazine once wrote that Nelson Rangell is “anartist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser non-pareil.” The Timesof London notes “his extraordinary facility on a range of instruments and hisundoubted virtuosity.” Such praise is a confirmation of what contemporaryjazz fans have known since the Denver-based saxophonist emerged in the late’80s: that Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse performers in thegenre, equally adept at soprano, alto and tenor saxophone, as well as being agenuine virtuoso on flute and piccolo.He followed My American Songbook, Vol. 1 with his smooth jazz-oriented2006 release Soul To Souls.www.nelsonrangell.com; www.readingpops.comThe Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole andKim Waters• Friday, April 3, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerly SheratonReading Hotel)Hot off their massive airplay hit “Fallin’ For You,”the kickoff single from their self-titled disc thatstayed at No. 1 for two months and was one of2008’s biggest smooth jazz tracks of the year, TheSax Pack makes its first Berks Jazz Fest appearancesince 2007 with a highly anticipated show.One of the most exciting and popular of thegenre all-star tours, The Sax Pack delivers on aclever turn of phrase that brings to mind greatshowmanship and supreme cool — qualities that jeff kashiwathe soulful saxmen have in spades. Waters, Coleand Kashiwa have enjoyed lengthy solo careersbut were inspired when Kashiwa presented theidea of a trio tour around 2003 after seeing a PBSdocumentary on The Rat Pack.Jeff Kashiwa’s solo career has been in joyfullyfrenetic overdrive since the incredible success of“Hyde Park (The Aah, Ooh Song),” a No. 1 hit onthe Radio & Records airplay chart for over eightweeks in 2000. His Native Language debut AnotherDoor Opens and its more acoustic-oriented steve cole2002 follow-up Simple Truth established him asone of smooth jazz’s most dominant saxophonevoices. The Seattle resident primed himself forhis thriving solo career by endearing himself tosmooth jazz fans worldwide as a member of TheRippingtons for 10 years (1989-99). His latestsolo album is 2007’s Play.Jeff Kashiwa will be joining David Benoit as partof his quartet for his April 5 show.Kim Waters is the epitome of sexy, romantic kim waterscool. With 16 albums to his credit and 10 No. 1radio hits since his 1998 Shanachie debut Love’s Melody, the multi-instrumentalist,composer and producer has sold close to half a million records, makinghim one of the most successful and romantic jazz artists of our time. Waters’high spirited ride on the love train continues on his eighth Shanachie collectionI Want You – Love In The Spirit Of Marvin, which finds him celebrating 20 yearsas a recording artist by paying homage to one of his biggest all time influences,legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye.Since signing with Narada Jazz in 2004, Chicago born and based SteveCole, who launched his solo career after a long stint with Brian Culbertson withhis hit 1998 debut Stay Awhile, has released Spin (a singer songwriter-inspiredeffort which he wrote primarily on the acoustic guitar) and True (2006), whichfeatures an exciting and looser, jazzier, less polished vibe.www.thesaxpack.comSevern Soul & Blues Revue featuring Steve Guyger, Big Joe Maher,Tad Robinson, Roy Tyler and New Directions, and the Severn RecordsAll-Star Band• Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., The Inn at ReadingPhiladelphia doesn’t normally come to mind whenyou mention blues. However the City of Brotherly Lovedoes boast what some consider a legendary bluesharmonica player, Steve Guyger. For over 30 years,Guyger has been honing his skills on the harmonicaand delighting blues audiences, whether that be withhis own band, The Excellos, or touring with celebratedbluesman Jimmy Rogers.steve guygerJoseph Maher aka “Big Joe” Maher has been aperforming drummer/singer over past 30 years. His listof credits is like a “who’s who of blues & jazz,” havingperformed at an early age in his high school jazz band“The Starliners” with the likes of greats like Clark Terry,Urbie Green, Mudell Lowe, James Moody, just to namea few. In the late 1980s after performing with andmanaging nine piece swing band “The Uptown Rhythm big joe maherKings,” and after a few years as drummer and touringwith the Tom Principato Band, Joe formed his own fivepieceblues jump group “Big Joe & The Dynaflows.”In between touring and local performances with theDynaflows, in the mid-90’s Joe accepted the role asmusical coordinator for Mick Fleetwood’s club inAlexandria, Va., Fleetwoods.Tad Robinson would have fit in snugly with the blueeyedsoul singers of the 1960s. His vocals virtuallytad robinsonreeking of soul, he’s capable of delving into a straightaheadLittle Walter shuffle or delivering a vintage O.V.Wright R&B ballad. Add his songwriting skills andexceptional harp technique and you have quite the totalpackage.Roy Tyler and New Directions’ stirring music iscarefully chosen and is simply remarkable in its blendingof old and new. Their faith & heartfelt passion inroy tylersinging is absolute. Most American music, Jazz and Soul, certainly R&B andRock, have their roots in Southern Gospel and/or Blues music. That becomesa direct link to Tyler’s modern music that many listeners might not be consciousof, but can’t help but “feel it” just the same.The Severn Records All-Star Band is Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, BenjiePorecki, Alex Schultz, Karla Chisholm and Calley Bliss.Severn Soul & Blues Revue featuring Clarence Spady, Darrell Nulisch,Lou Pride and the Severn Records All-Star Band• Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., The Inn at ReadingThe former W.C. Handy Nominee for Best NewArtist 1997 has been an underground marvel since hisinitial and only worldwide release Nature of the Beast in1996. He received international recognition as one ofLiving Blues Magazine’s “Top 40 Blues Artist Under 40”,and received the 1998 France Blues Trophie for BestInternational Blues Artist of the Year. Once describedas “the future of the blues” by Bill Dahl, of the ChicagoTribune, his sound is now even more distinguishable.From the beginning of his career, Darrell Nulischexhibited a natural flair for phrasing a lyric, a quality thatunderscores his relaxed, soulful performances today.Nulisch mixed blues and soul on aptly named Bluesoul,a 1996 release, and on The Whole Truth, his debutfor Severn Records in 1998. He takes that earthyformula to a new level on I Like It That Way, wich wasnominated for a blues music award in the soul/bluescategory.Born outside of Chicago, singing is something thatseemed to come naturally for Lou Pride. Like many ofthe artists he’s commonly compared to (Bobby Bland,ZZ Hill and Little Milton), he got his start singing in thechoir of the First Baptist Church whose pastor wasReverend E.J. Cole (Nat King Cole’s father). Pride hasrecognized works with his WMB Records release Loveclarence spadydarrell nulischlou prideAt Last, which earned critical acclaim from Living Blues Magazine (“among theyear’s best soul/blues albums”), and Twisting the Knife (Ichiban) in additionsevern soul, CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.Sunday, March 22, 2009 A15artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widransevern soul, CONTINUED from PAGE 14to I Won’t Give Up on Kingsnake/Icehouse. Pride continues to tour the U.S.,Canada and Europe.The Severn Records All-Star Band is Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, BenjiePorecki, Alex Schultz, Karla Chisholm and Calley Bliss.Steve Smith & Vital Information featuring Barron Brown,Tom Coster, Vinnie Valentino and special guest Andy Fusco• Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at theReading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)Currently celebrating their 25th year as a unitsince their 1983 self-titled debut, Steve Smithand Vital Information has become a formidablejazz/fusion juggernaut whose longevity surpassesall of the major fusion groups. The all-starlineup of Tom Coster (keyboards), Baron Browne(bass), Vinny Valentino (guitar), and Steve Smith(drums) serves up a wide and dynamic variety ofinnovative sounds, from slamming funk andsyncopated second line grooves to seriouslysteve smith & vitalinformationswinging, up-tempo Hammond B-3 burners, South Indian Carnatic-inspiredjams, and sizzling fuzoid romps.The group’s founder and drummer Steve Smith has a resume that stretchesfrom Ahmad Jamal, Zakir Hussain, The Buddy Rich Big Band and Steps Aheadto Andrea Bocelli and Journey. His many years of accolades include ModernDrummer magazine’s “#1 All Around Drummer” award five years in a row andbeing voted one of the “Top 25 Drummers of All Time” in a recent ModernDrummer readers poll. In 2002, Smith was voted into the Modern DrummerHall of Fame.In addition to his stellar grooving with Vital Information, Baron Browne hasensembled Gary Burton, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead andTom Jones. Unique multi-keyboardist Tom Coster, whose versatility rangesfrom Hammond B3 to accordion, was playing with Gabor Szabo and RahsaanRoland Kirk long before he came to prominence in Santana, a stay that lastednine years. He has recorded many solo albums and has been a member ofVital Information since 1986.Vinny Valentino, the newest member of the band, has shared the stage orrecording studio with such jazz greats as Gary Bartz, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans,John Pattitucci, Richard Bona, Bob Moses, Steve Gadd, Dennis Chambers,Jimmy McGriff and his mentor George Benson.Vital Information’s most recent release is Vitalization, which features guestperformances by saxophonist Bill Evans and world-class percussionists PeteLockett, Gilad and Juan Carlos Melian.www.vitalinformation.comPhoebe Snow• Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsAfter Phoebe Snow sings “You’re My Girl” on her new concert albumPhoebe Snow Live, the audience applauds enthusiastically, and she doesn’tjust offer a simple thank-you.“I really appreciate that more than you’ll ever know,” she says. “You’re allkeeping me alive.”Snow is still in mourning for her daughter Valerie, who died in March2007 at the age of 31. In recent interviews, she said she finds performingtherapeutic.Valerie was born with severe brain damage in1975. Snow refused to let her daughter spendher life in an institution, and had devoted herself totaking care of her.Since the release of her self-titled debut albumin 1974, singer, songwriter and guitarist PhoebeSnow has remained one of the most distinctivevoices in popular music. Described once by TheNew York Times as a “contralto grounded in abluesy growl and capable of sweeping over four phoebe snowoctaves,” she was born Phoebe Ann Laub in NYCand raised in a household where Delta blues, Broadway show tunes, Dixielandjazz, classical music and folk music recordings were played around the clock.As a teenager, she carried her prized Martin 00018 ac guitar from clubto club around Greenwich Village, playing and singing on amateur nights.Performing one night at The Bitter End in 1972, Snow was approached bypromotions executive Denny Cordell from Shelter Records, who was so takenby her voice that he signed her to the label and produced her first recording.With guest performances by The Persuasions, Zoot Sims, Toddy Wilson, DavidBromberg and Dave Mason, Snow’s 1974 collection became one of the mostacclaimed debut recordings of all time. It spawned the Top 5 hit single “PoetryMan,” which led to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and launched acareer that would include numerous platinum records and the cover of RollingStone.Her prolific discography over the next 15 years included Second Childhood(1975), It Looks Like Snow (1976), Never Letting Go (1978), Against TheGrain (1979), Rock Away (1980) and Something Real (1989).In 1992, she toured with Donald Fagen’s popular New York Rock And SoulRevue and was featured on the group’s album recorded live at the Beacon Theaterin New York City. While continuing to tour as a solo artist throughout NorthAmerica, Great Britain, Germany and the Far East, Snow has also performedover the years with everyone from Lou Rawls, Ladysmith Black Mambazo,Dave Grusin, Avenue Blue with Jeff Golub and Jewel to Paul Simon, Billy Joel,Queen, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and Michael McDonald.www.phoebesnow.comJason Miles presents Soul Summit IIfeaturing Maysa, Simone, Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius,Bob Babbitt, Reggie Young, Steve Ferrone, and the original The SoulSurvivors plus the Berks Jazz Fest Horns• Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite CathedralFrom the time it was born in Memphis from the bluesthat were coming out of the Missisippi Delta, soul musichas been a defining force in American culture. At theBerks Jazz Fest in 2007, keyboardist and producerJason Miles gathered some of R&B’s top sessionplayers behind Richard Elliot, Susan Tedeschi, Maysaand Derek Trucks Band lead singer Mike Mattison jason milesto celebrate this dynamic art form. His Soul Summitshow was so successful that it led his label, ShanachieRecords, to commercially release a live recording of theevent in 2008.At the 2008 BJF, Miles led a celebration of the lifeand music of Grover Washington Jr. in addition to frontinghis own world music fusion band Global Noize. He’sback this year with Soul Summit II, the ultimate encore maysafeaturing those same session cats (Steve Ferrone, ReggieYoung and Bob Babbitt) and a stellar lineup of urbanjazz headliners. Besides return appearances by Elliotand Maysa, this year’s show features blues-influencedcontemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Golub, singer/songwriterSimone, funk-driven saxman Eric Darius and TheSoul Survivors. They will be joined by the Berks JazzFest Horns.Since Jason Miles has always said he will never repeathimself, he will present a whole new show of SoulSummit this year. The first one was based on the Southernsoul sound with great performances by Tedeschion “Son of a Preacher Man” and the band performingsongs from that era. With a new group of artists, thesame rhythm section comes back to explore moresounds of soul music. With the addition of dynamicsinger Simone (the late Nina Simone’s daughter), Dariusand Golub, the band will bring these artists to new creativeheights. The original Soul Survivors will also injecttheir great sound into “Expressway To Your Heart” andother high energy songs. This will be a night of musicfilled with great soul music and a few surprises.Long called “The James Brown of ContemporaryJazz,” saxman Richard Elliot, half of the dynamic hornduo RnR with Rick Braun, is appearing at Berks thisyear as part of Jazz Attack.Jeff Golub’s unique brand of funky, blues-drenchedsmooth jazz may be a firm mainstay in the genre today,but he always had a blast throwing a few winks to the60s and 70s jazz and soul that shaped his musicalvision. His latest album is 2007’s Grand Central onNarada Jazz.Saxman Eric Darius has shared the stage withcontemporary jazz all-stars Rick Braun, Richard Elliot,David Benoit, Jonathan Butler, Warren Hill, NormanBrown, Chris Botti, Kim Waters and Chuck Loeb. Hisfourth and latest release is Goin’ All Out, his Blue NotesRecords debut, released last June.R&B singer Maysa, a longtime member of the U.K.soul collective Incognito, has a large catalog of solorecordings, including her latest Shanachie releaseMetamorphosis.Simone returns to the festival for her secondappearance. She is highly-praised live performer whoseimpressive resume includes starring roles on Broadwayin such acclaimed musicals as “Rent” and “Aida,”Simone has developed an exciting and diverserepertoire of pop, soul, jazz, rock and funk, expressedin shows she’s done throughout the U.S. and in the UK,Ireland, Holland, Finland, Spain and France. Simone’sability to transcend genres echoes the tradition of hermother, musical icon and pioneer Nina Simone.With Soul Summit, it’s all about the groove, and onceagain it’s driven by Ferrone, Babbitt and Young.Bassist Bob Babbitt established his name in thejason miles, CONTINUED on PAGE 16simonejeff goluberic dariusbob babbittreggie youngsteve ferronethe soul survivors

A16 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranjason miles, CONTINUED from PAGE 15annals of R&B as a member of the legendary Funk brothers who played on somany of the great Motown hits by such legends as Marvin Gaye, The Temptationsand Smokey Robinson.With appearances on such legendary hits as “Son Of A Preacher Man,” “SlipAway,” “Suspicious Minds” and “In The Ghetto,” Reggie Young is arguably themost recorded guitarist in the history of music.Known as “The Time Keeper,” legendary drummer Steve Ferrone hasworked with an incredibly diverse group of artists, from Chaka Khan and TomPetty to AWB, Duran Duran, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, David Sanborn,Scritti Politti and Jaco Pastorius.The Soul Survivors, originally from New York City, grew up listening to theR & B groups of the 1950s. The sounds of groups like the Moonglows, Heartbeats,and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers had a great influence on brothersCharlie and Rich Ingui.Since 2002, the locally based Berks Jazz Fest Horns have been addinganother dimension to special performances by many acts appearing at theFest. Consisting of Rob Diener on trumpet, Mike Anderson on sax and JohnLoos on trombone, this group has played with artists like Gregg Karukas, JeffKashiwa, Gerald Veasley, Special EFX, Chuck Loeb, L.A. Chillharmonic, theHeads Up Super Band, and others.www.jasonmilesmusic.comThe Tierney Sutton Band• Friday, March 27, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the ReadingCrowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)One of the most acclaimed jazz vocalists ofher generation, Tierney Sutton’s decision in themid-’90s to move from New England to SouthernCalifornia led to an incredible decade-pluscollaboration with her current bandmates, pianistChristian Jacob, bassists Trey Henry and Kevin Axtand drummer Ray Brinker — who collectively haveworked with everyone from Natalie Cole and DianaKrall to Ray Charles and Randy Brecker. Twelveyears and seven critically acclaimed CDs later, Suttonand her ensemble demonstrate what collectiveconsultation and dedicated teamwork can achieve.tierney suttonThe Tierney Sutton Band just released their latest Telarc album, Desire,earlier this month.While The New York Times has called her a “serious jazz artist who takesthe whole enterprise to another level,” the Wisconsin-born singer has expandedher brand into the realms of film and TV commercials. She has appearedon the soundtracks to “The Cooler” and “Twisted” and she and her bandscored the independent feature “Blue in Green,” which was released by theUnica Project. Sutton’s unique voice is also regularly featured in commercialsrepresenting such organizations as BMW, Coca-Cola, Dodge and J.C. Penney.Educated at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Sutton became asemifinalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition in 1998. Oneyear later, her first solo CD, Introducing Tierney Sutton, was released to ravereviews and nominated for a 1999 Indie Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.Since signing with Telarc Jazz, The Tierney Sutton Band has released popularand critically acclaimed recordings: Unsung Heroes (2000), Blue in Green(2001), Something Cool (2002), Dancing in the Dark (2004), I’m with the Band(2005) and On the Other Side (2007). I’m with the Band was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album and earned her JazzWeek’s Vocalistof the Year Award.Upon the release of the Dancing In The Dark, Sutton completed one of themost critically acclaimed and commercially successful runs in the history ofNew York’s legendary Oak Room. This renown eventually led to her February2005 Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops. I’m With The Band was herfirst live recording. In October 2006, Sutton won the Jazz Vocalist Award atthe 23rd annual L.A. Jazz Society Awards.www.tierneysutton.comTake 6 plus Wayman TisdaleSunday, March 29, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite CathedralOn Sunday March 29, Berks Jazz Festpresents a unique R&B, jazz and gospel-drivendouble bill featuring the multiple Grammywinninga capella group Take 6 and former NBAAll-Star turned contemporary jazz bass giant(literally!) Wayman Tisdale.With its roots in gospel, doo wop and thesophisticated jazz-influenced singing groups ofmid-century America like the Hi-Los, the eighttimeGrammy-winning a cappella vocal group Take6 is both a throwback to an earlier, more genteelera of American music and a precursor for a numberof male pop groups of the ’90s and 2000s.Its members currently include David Thomas,Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Mark Kibble, Claude V.McKnight III and Joey Kibble (who replaced MervynWarren).Their eponymous 1988 debut won twoGrammy Awards and hit the Top Ten on both theBillboard Contemporary Jazz and ContemporaryChristian Charts. The group went on to record ortake 6wayman tisdaleappear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Joe Sample, EllaFitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. After starting the 2000s with a new musicalapproach including rich instrumentation on Beautiful World (2002), Take 6returned to its roots on Feels Good, the group’s debut on Take 6 Records.Their 2008 Heads Up debut The Standard features performances by AlJarreau, George Benson, Aaron Neville and Claude’s brother Brian McKnight,and was nominated for several Grammy Awards.If there’s one thing Wayman Tisdale learned from his NBA career, it’s thatthere’s no substitute for hard work. Emerging as one of the most consistentand admired players during his 12 years in the league — segueing from thegold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team to stints with the Indiana Pacers, SacramentoKings and Phoenix Suns — the crowd-pleasing bassist’s towering frame,exceptional strength and relentless work ethic made him one of the game’smost dominating power forwards. His career stats include scoring more than12,800 points and pulling down over 5,000 rebounds. Even before retiringafter the 1997 season, Tisdale was making a transition toward his musicalgoals, releasing a string of albums featuring titles inspired by his ongoing passionfor basketball: Power Forward (1995) and In The Zone (1996), which werefollowed later by Hang Time (2004) and Way Up! (2006).He kept that tradition thriving with his 2008 release Rebound, which hitNo. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart and featured a remake of BarryWhite’s “Never Never Gonna Give You Up” with Toby Keith. A survivor of arecent bout with bone cancer, Tisdale is returning to the stage this year afterhaving his lower right leg amputated in August. He was inducted into theOklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2002 and in 2004 was nominated by theNAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Jazz Artist.”www.take6.com; www.waymantisdale.comThe Derek Trucks Band• Saturday, April 4, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom (formerlySheraton Reading Hotel)The Derek Trucks Band has been a work inprogress for over 10 years, blending jazz, rock,blues, Latin, Eastern Indian and other world musicinto the sound that now defines the DTB. Theband’s mission has been to assemble a group ofmusicians that share a passion for improvisationand musical exploration, and to develop a unitedmusical vision by performing with this core groupof players for an extended period of time. TheDTB aims to create progressive roots music in aneffort to move the art form forward andre-establish substance over hype.derek trucksTruck’s musical career began at the age of 9, when he picked up a $5acoustic guitar at a yard sale. What had begun as a weekend activity quicklybecame a life’s pursuit, and would eventually result in the versatile, Grammynominatedmusician becoming the youngest player to make Rolling Stone’s“100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list. He got his first paying gig at age 11and formed his first band at age 12. After sitting in and touring with the AllmanBrothers Band, from age 10-11 on, Derek Trucks was formally made a fullmember of the group in 1999.Bassist Todd Smallie, who played with many jazz and blues musicians in theAtlanta area, entered the picture in 1994, when Trucks was 15 years old. In1995, Yonrico Scott rounded out the band’s permanent rhythm section. Bornin the Bronx and raised in Washington, D.C., keyboardist, flutist and vocalistKofi Burbridge joined the band in 1999.In 2002, The Derek Trucks Band heard about vocalist Mike Mattison afterrecommendations by both DTB producers Craig Street and John Snyder inthe same week. Originally from Minneapolis, the singer lived and played inBrooklyn for a number of years before finally being drawn to the Southeastand settling in Atlanta with the rest of his DTB bandmates.DTB’s discography includes their 1997 self-titled debut, Joyful Noise (2002),Soul Serenade (2003), Live At Georgia Theatre (2004), Songlines (2006) andthe DVD “Songlines Live.”www.derektrucks.comMcCoy Tyner Quartet featuring gary bartz• Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the ArtsKnown for his groundbreaking work with theJohn Coltrane Quartet and a nearly five-decadelongsolo career, legendary Philly-born pianistMcCoy Tyner’s blues-based piano style — repletewith sophisticated chords and an explosivelypercussive left hand — has transcended conventionalstyles to become one of the most identifiablesounds in improvised music. His harmoniccontributions and dramatic rhythmic devicesform the vocabulary of a majority of jazz pianists. mccoy tynerTyner has released nearly 80 albums under hismccoy tyner, CONTINUED on PAGE 17

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa. Sunday, March 22, 2009 A17artist profiles / major concerts by jonathan widranmccoy tyner, CONTINUED from PAGE 16name, earned four Grammys and was awardedJazz Master from the National Endowment for theArts in 2002.At 17, he began a career-changing relationshipwith Coltrane, who was then Miles Davis’ saxophonist.Tyner joined Coltrane for the classic album MyFavorite Things (1960), and remained at the coreof what became one of the most seminal groupsin jazz history. The band, which also includeddrummer Elvin Jones and bassist Jimmy Garrison, gary bartzhad an extraordinary chemistry, fostered in part byTyner’s almost familial relationship with Coltrane.In 1965, after over five years with Coltrane’s quartet, Tyner left the groupto explore his destiny as a composer and bandleader. His 1972 GrammynominatedSahara broke new ground with the sounds and rhythms of Africa.Since 1980, he has also arranged his lavishly textured harmonies for a bigband that performs and records when possible. In the late 1980s, he focusedon his piano trio featuring Avery Sharpe on bass and Aaron Scott on drums.Today, this trio is still in great demand. He returned to Impulse in 1995 withInfinity, a critically acclaimed album featuring Michael Brecker, and a year laterhe recorded a special album with the music of Burt Bacharach. In 1998 hechanged labels again and recorded a Latin album (McCoy Tyner & The LatinAll-Stars) and another featuring Stanley Clarke for Telarc.In the summer of 2005, Tyner joined forces with the Blue Note Jazz Club inNew York and became the first client of Blue Note Management. That summer,Tyner began work on some unique projects, including performances with tapdancerSavion Glover and the development of the Impulse! Septet, featuringhis trio of some of today’s top horn men.Tyner’s partnership with the Blue Note has led to the formation of his ownrecord label, aptly titled McCoy Tyner Music. The label is a subsidiary of theBlue Note’s In-House record label, Half Note Records. In 2008, he releasedGuitars, his second album on the label; it features Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnetteand five of popular music’s most accomplished string specialists: Bill Frisell,Marc Ribot, John Scofield, Derek Trucks and Bela Fleck.www.mccoytyner.comUnited States Army Jazz Ambassadors• Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m., Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)The Jazz Ambassadors is the United StatesArmy’s premier touring jazz orchestra. This19-member big band, formed in 1969, has receivedgreat acclaim both at home and abroadperforming America’s original art form, jazz.Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors aredesigned to entertain all types of audiences.Custom compositions and arrangements highlightthe group’s creative talent and gifted soloists.U.S. Army jazz ambassadorsTheir diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporaryjazz, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals, and patriotic selections.The band has appeared in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, andthroughout Europe. Notable performances include concerts at internationaljazz festivals in Montreux, Switzerland; Newport, Rhode Island; Toronto,Canada; Brussels, Belgium; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands.The band has also been featured in unique joint concerts with major orchestras,including the Detroit and Baltimore symphonies.The Ambassadors will be joined by the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Bandfor their March 31 show.www.army.mil/FIELDBAND/pages/ensembles/ja.htmlThe UPtown JazzUP featuring Erich Cawalla & Jenifer KinderSaturday, March 28, 10 p.m., The Abraham LincolnHotel Jazz CabaretThe Uptown Band is making their third appearanceat the Berks Jazz Fest. The group originatedduring the 2006 festival with the intent to performa wide variety of music with a jazz flavor. Theyrecently released their much-anticipated debut CD,Waiting for Her, at a sold-out Gerald Veasley’s JazzBase. The album is receiving airplay on numerousonline radio stations, including The Que 98.2 outof Salt Lake City.www.uptownbandmusic.comerich cawalla andjenifer kinderThe Music of Stevie Wonder:Gerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon,Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns• Saturday, March 28, 10:30 p.m., Reading Crowne HotelBallroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)In the great Berks Jazz Fest tradition of tribute concertsto the music of R&B legends, The Gerald VeasleyBand will be joined by special guests Najee, NnennaFreelon, Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest Horns to gerald veasleypay homage to Stevie Wonder.“Stevie is one of my favorite composers and his musicwas an essential part of the soundtrack of my life,”says Veasley, whose breakout hit as a recording artistwas an instrumental version of Wonder’s classic “Do IDo.” “His songs are quintessentially American, filled withhope and optimism, and I believe that had the StevieWonder catalog never been written, there would be a najeegiant void in American culture.“The idea for this show,” he adds, “is to collaboratewith great jazz artists who love his song book as muchas I do. I always hope to bring something special to theBerks Jazz Fest every year, whether it’s a celebrationof the music of an influential artists like Charles Mingus,Ray Charles or Stevie, or a collaboration with the mostexciting voices in jazz.”nnenna freelonFounder of The Jazz Base at the Reading CrowneHotel and one of contemporary jazz’s most prolific and versatile artists andperformers, bassist Gerald Veasley launched his career with Grover WashingtonJr. and has recorded exclusively for Heads Up since 1992’s Look Ahead.In 2005, Veasley responded to the clamor among his fans for a live recordingwith At The Jazz Base!, which was recorded at the club in November 2004.His latest studio album is 2008’s Your Move.Following in the groundbreaking, groove-oriented footsteps of his chiefinfluences Grover Washington Jr. and David Sanborn, Najee is one of contemporaryjazz’s true pioneers. Creating a fresh and pulsating “rhythm and jazz”dynamic, the versatile saxophonist — whose first two recordings, 1986’sGrammy nominated Najee’s Theme and 1988’s Day By Day, went platinum —inspired the urban vibe that defined the instrumental world in the ’90s. Najeepaid homage to Wonder in the 1995 when he released Najee Plays SongsFrom The Key Of Life: A Tribute To Stevie Wonder; his latest album is RisingSun (2007).Nnenna Freelon is an American jazz singer, composer, producer andarranger. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for her vocalwork, and has performed and toured with such top artists as Ray Charles, EllisMarsalis, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Dianne Reeves, Diana Krall,Ramsey Lewis, George Benson, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock and TerenceBlanchard, just to name a few.She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Ellington Jazz Festival,Monterey Jazz Festival, Apollo Theater, Montreux Jazz Festival, the John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and more.Like many of his Heads Up labelmates, keyboardist Joe McBride is somethingof an annual fixture at Berks Jazz Fest, bringing his spirited melodic funkto a multitude of unique settings over the years. McBride has establishedhimself as one of the genre’s most popular artists with his label releasesGrace (1992), A Gift for Tomorrow (1994), Keys to Your Heart (1996) andDouble Take (1998). His most recent album, 2005’s Texas Hold ’Em, is atribute to his adopted home state and the current poker craze.Since 2002, the locally based Berks Jazz Fest Horns have been addinganother dimension to special performances by many acts appearing at theFest. Consisting of Rob Diener on trumpet, Mike Anderson on sax and JohnLoos on trombone, this group has played with artists like Gregg Karukas, JeffKashiwa, Gerald Veasley, Special EFX, Chuck Loeb, L.A. Chillharmonic, theHeads Up Super Band, and others.www.geraldveasley.com; www.najeeonline.com; www.nnenna.comPeter White and Mindi Abair• Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., Scottish Rite CathedralThe 2009 Berks Jazz Fest begins with an exciting opening night concert atthe Scottish Rite Cathedral featuring Peter White and Mindi Abair, two veteransuperstar performers who have defined the joyful, melodic and groovingcontemporary jazz experience for thousands of fans in the 2000s.With numerous Berks appearances under their belts, they are amongthe genre’s most popular touring artists. White, whose most recent releaseis 2006’s Playing Favorites, has participated regularly over the years in theannual all-star Guitars & Saxes tours, and in 2005 and 2007 was part of JazzAttack with Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and JonathanButler. In 2008, Abair — who released her PeakRecords debut Stars last May — expandedbeyond her U.S. base with her first concertsever in Istanbul and Romania. In 2003, White andAbair launched their first annual holiday tour, andwith Rick Braun joining them a year later, havecreated one of the genre’s most popular annualChristmastime events. The trio released A PeterWhite Christmas, a studio recording that chronicles peter whitethis experience, in 2007.Since the release of his debut reveillez-vousin 1990, Peter White’s distinctive R&B, jazz andpop instrumental albums and staggering 14 No. 1radio singles have set both artistic and commercialstandards for the genre. His partnership withpop/folk singer Al Stewart, which included White’sco-writing the classic “Time Passages,” spannedover 20 years. Over the years, the guitarist hasalso recorded and/or toured with Basia, Dave Koz, mindi abairBoney James, David Benoit, Gato Barbieri, EugeGroove, The Crusaders, Craig Chaquico and Kirk Whalum.Over half a decade after Mindi Abair broke onto the smooth jazz scene withher hit debut It Just Happens That Way and her No. 1 signature hit “Lucy’s,”she’s still an A-lister for summer and winter tours, festivals and cruises andhas her own syndicated radio show “Chill With Mindi Abair.” On Stars, her hitfollow-up to 2006’s Life Less Ordinary, she kept her trademark instrumentalsound hip and edgy and included more original vocal tracks (five) than everbefore. While keeping her core fans excited, she also is quickly establishingherself as a distinctive voice in a new generation of singer-songwriters. Evenwhile establishing herself as a popular and influential instrumentalist, she hasbeen working toward this breakthrough a long time, doing pop tours withAdam Sandler, Duran Duran, Josh Groban and even The Backstreet Boys ontheir famed Millennium tour back in 1999-2000.www.peterwhite.com; www.mindiabair.comVictor Wooten• Friday, March 27, 10:30 p.m., Reading CrowneHotel Ballroom (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel)Bass extraordinaire Victor Wooten will be joinedby drummer J.D. Blair for a stop on their 2 STIXand 4 STRINGZ tour.Like Marcus, “Victor” is the lone name amongbass fans that signals the last great hero of the instrument,Victor Wooten. Also like Miller, Wooten’smusical reach extends far beyond the four-string. victor wootenBorn in Idaho to a military family, raised on theisland of Oahu and on the West Coast, Wooten received bass lessons at age 3from his brother, Regi. By the age of 5, he had made his stage debut with hisfour older brothers, collectively known as The Wootens.In 1988, Wooten moved to Nashville, where he worked with vocalist JonellMosser and met New Grass Revival banjo ace Béla Fleck. Within a year, Fleck,Wooten, Wooten’s brother Roy (a.k.a. Futureman) and Howard Levy formedthe Flecktones, and were on their way to their first of three Grammys. Wootenalso formed Bass Extremes with fretless 6-string savant Steve Bailey, and thenreleased his remarkable 1996 solo debut, A Show of Hands.Wooten’s recording and/or touring credentials quickly expanded to includea range of artists like Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Bruce Hornsby,Prince, Mark O’Connor, Gov’t Mule, Susan Tedeschi, Bill Evans, Vital TechTones (with Scott Henderson and Steve Smith), the Jaco Pastorius Word OfMouth Big Band and India.Arie.The versatile musician also took big steps forward in the field of education,offering music and life lessons though his popular Bass Nature Camps in hishome base of Tennessee, and his enlightening novel, “The Music Lesson.” Hecurrently maintains an ambitious dual solo/sideman pace, regularly recordingand touring with the Flecktones (who have released a dozen albums), MikeStern and Chick Corea’s Elektric Band.With each new solo CD (six so far), Wooten has expanded his musical focusand knack for genre-uniting via his songwriting, producing and multi-instrumentalskills — all while maintaining the kind of stellar level of bass playing thatdrives Palmystery, his most recent solo release on Heads Up. Later in 2008,he, Miller and Stanley Clarke released Thunder, an explosive joint trio venturerecorded under the name S.M.V.www.victorwooten.comjazzmerchandiseThis year’s official logo for the 19th annual VF OutletBerks Jazz Fest will appear on a variety of souvenirmerchandise. A sample of that merchandise is shownhere. These and other items will be available for saleduring the festival at all major venues.Andy Narell, Catonsville Highteam up for steel pan concertAndy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band will giveVF 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, in2001.Before their evening show, Narell and the Catonsville Steel Drumswill perform for nearly 500 Reading School District and local parochialschool students, an event organized by Reading Eagle Company’s NIEprogram and the Reading Musical Foundation’s Colonial Oaks Foundationgrant.With his 2007 Heads Up release, Tatoom, in 2007, pan master Narellonce again took the sound of the big steel band into uncharted jazzterritory. He had been co-leader of the Caribbean Jazz Project with DaveSamuels and Paquito D’Rivera in the mid-1990s and performed as partof Sakesho, as well as having a dynamic solo recording career.Under the direction of James Wharton, the Catonsville High SchoolSteel Band was founded in 1991. From a band with one lead pan, a setof double second pans, a set of guitar pans, and a set of tenor-basspans, the band grew to its present instrumentation of five leads, fourdouble tenors, four double seconds, three sets of guitar pans, a set ofcello pans, a set of tenor-basses, and two sets of six-basses.Formed as a means for students to study and perform music from aculture other than their own, the band shares the music of Trinidad andTobago with audiences throughout the Maryland region and beyond, withover 30 performances annually. The band has produced six CDs, themost recent being Ray Jam 2007.

A18 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.Severn Records: Soul & Blues RevuesThe VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest wouldn’t becomplete without the blues.This year’s festival is serving up a whoppingdose with shows by Joe Bonamassa, The BillyPrice Band featuring special guest Fred Chapellier,and the Derek Trucks Band.But kicking things off will be two back-tobackSevern Soul & Blues Revues, presentedby Severn Records.“This is a rare opportunity for Severn toput together a two-day showcase of some ofour best artists,” said David Earl, president ofSevern Records. “We are thrilled to bring thislevel of talent to the Reading area!”Each of these shows features an impressiveroster of blues artists, both of which arebacked by the Severn Records All-Star Bandof Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, Alex Schultz,Karla Chisholm and Todd Goggins; and theSevern Horns — Dave Finnell, Kenny Rittenhouse,Frank Mitchell and Morgan Price.On Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., SteveGuyger, Big Joe Maher, Tad Robinson, RoyTyler & New Directions will be rocking The Innat Reading.For over 30 years, legendary blues harmonicaplayer Steve Guyger has been honinghis skills on the harmonica and delighting bluesaudiences, whether that be with his own band,The Excellos, or touring with celebrated bluesmanJimmy Rogers.Joseph Maher a/k/a “Big Joe” Maher hasbeen a performing drummer/singer over thepast 30 years. His list of credits is like a “who’swho of blues & jazz,” having performed withgreats like Clark Terry, Urbie Green, MudellLowe and James Moody, just to name a few. Inthe late ’80s, Maher formed his own five-pieceblues jump group “Big Joe & The Dynaflows.”In between touring and local performanceswith the Dynaflows, in the mid-90s Joeaccepted the role as musical coordinatorfor Fleetwoods, Mick Fleetwood’s club inAlexandria, Va.Tad Robinson would have fit in snugly withthe blue-eyed soul singers of the 1960s. Hisvocals virtually reeking of soul, he’s capable ofdelving into a straight-ahead Little Walter shuffleif you go...friday, march 27The Inn at Reading • 7:30 p.m. • $38• Steve Guyger• Big Joe Maher• Tad Robinson• Roy Tyler and New Directionsand the• Severn Records All-Star BandRobb StupkaSteve GomesBenjie PoreckiAlex SchultzKarla ChisholmTodd Gogginssaturday, march 28The Inn at Reading • 7:30 p.m. • $38• Clarence Spady• Darrell Nulisch• Lou Prideand the• Severn Records All-Star BandRobb StupkaSteve GomesBenjie PoreckiAlex SchultzKarla ChisholmTodd Gogginsor delivering a vintage O.V. Wright R&B ballad.Add his songwriting skills and exceptional harptechnique and you have quite the total package.Roy Tyler & New Directions’ stirring musicis carefully chosen and is simply remarkablein its blending of old and new. Their faith andheartfelt passion in singing is absolute. MostAmerican music, jazz and soul, certainly R&Band rock, have their roots in Southern gospeland/or blues music. That becomes a direct linkto Tyler’s modern music that many listenersmight not be conscious of, but can’t help but“feel it” just the same.Blues fans can come back for more Severnsoul and blues with their second revue at theInn at Reading on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30p.m., this time, with Clarence Spady, DarrellNulisch, Lou Pride and the Severn All-Star Band.Once you’ve seen and heard ClarenceSpady, you know you’ve been witness to one ofthe great blues guitar players of our time. Heplays with a depth and sensitivity that can’t betaught. Effortlessly combining blues, jazz, funkand rock, the music seems to emanate fromhis soul, flow through his guitar and encompassthe audience. In short, Spady is one ofthose artists that can actually move people. Hebrings out in his listeners a range of emotionsthroughout his performances and recordings.Growing up in Dallas, Darrell Nulisch wassurrounded by blues and soul music at an earlyage, and has been a mainstay on the bluesscene for almost three decades. He’s beenwith Maryland-based Severn Records sincereleasing The Whole Truth in 1998 and his2000 W.C. Handy Award-nominated I Like ItThat Way.Born outside of Chicago, singing is somethingthat seemed to come naturally for LouPride. Like many of the artists he’s commonlycompared to (Bobby Bland, ZZ Hill and LittleMilton), he got his start singing in the choir ofthe First Baptist Church whose pastor was ReverendE.J. Cole (Nat King Cole’s father). Pridehas several recognized works with his WMBRecords release Love At Last, which earnedcritical acclaim from Living Blues Magazine(“among the year’s best soul/blues albums”),and Twisting the Knife (Ichiban) in addition toI Won’t Give Up on Kingsnake/Icehouse. Loucontinues to tour the U.S., Canada and Europe.Earl said the Severn Soul and Blues Revuehas performed at numerous festivals throughoutthe world including the Arkansas Bluesand Heritage Festival and The Lucerne BluesFestival in Switzerland. All of these artists haveperformed with each other with the exceptionof Oakland-based Roy Tyler, who will make hisfirst East Coast performance in over 15 years.“The audience can expect 2 days of solidRhythm and Blues ranging from the styles ofSouthern Soul, Uptown Chicago Soul, Chicagoand Texas Blues and Funk,” Earl said. “Wepride ourselves on being a family and the audiencecan expect to be part of that family.”With two diverse lineups, the two Severnshows are sure to bring blues audiences exactlywhat they’re looking for to please their souls.steve guygertad robinsonclarence spadylou pridebig joe maherroy tylerdarrell nulisch

Reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.Sunday, March 22, 2009 A19joyce coolingGuitarist blends CD releasewith NAMI benefit during festMusic, as a whole, makes deep, emotional connectionswith people. But sometimes, it goes beyondthat, having a more definite purpose and even deepermeaning.That’s how it is for guitarist Joyce Cooling. The titleof her 2007 Narada Jazz release, Revolving Door, isa reference to mental illness, and theseemingly endless cycle in whichfamilies find themselves when dealingwith it firsthand.She knows about this phenomenonbecause she’s gone throughit herself, along with her family. Herbrother was diagnosed with schizophreniaat age 19, and Cooling andher family have been caught in thatrevolving door ever since.“You feel so helpless,” Coolingsaid.The shame that is so often attached to the issue ofmental illness prevents it from receiving the attentionit needs in the form of advocacy, research andbreakthroughs.And so the cycle of illness and helplessness andshame continues.Cooling decided to break that relentless cycle bypartnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illnessand holding benefit concerts, donating some of theproceeds from merchandise and CD sales at eachshow.“We need to raise money,” Cooling said. “Wherethere’s money, there’s research. Where’s there’sresearch, there are breakthroughs. And where thereare breakthroughs, there’s relief.”In 2007, Cooling hooked up with NAMI BerksCounty for her Berks Jazz Fest show with NelsonRangell and Philippe Saisse at the former SheratonReading Hotel ballroom.This year, she’ll again be donating some of herCD sales proceeds from her Saturday, April 4 showwith East Bay Soul to NAMI Berks County, as well asNAMI’s Lancaster County affiliate. The show will be at2 p.m. at the Reading Crowne Hotel.Cooling, who is known for her eclectic and swingingstyle, is recognized as one of the most dynamic andpopular contemporary jazz guitarists in the world.“She’s wonderful to work with,” said Mary Lou Guntz,executive director of NAMI Berks County. “She’s avery caring person. It’s very easy for her to relate toindividuals in our membership.”Both Berks County and LancasterCounty NAMI organizations will beon hand at the Reading Crowne onApril 4 with materials on membershipas well as free literature onmental illness.“We’re very, very pleased thatJoyce Cooling uses her talents tosupport the NAMI organization,” saidVivian Spiese, president of NAMI,PA’s Lancaster County affiliate.Cooling’s aim is really twofold.“It’s not just the dollar amount; it’s the awareness,”Cooling said. “That’s half the battle sometimes — gettingthe word out.”Mental illness is a “biologically-based brain disorder,”she said.“It’s a physical illness, but because it affects behavior,people are ashamed. It’s nothing to be ashamedof,” she stressed. “These are the bravest people Iknow. These are not people to be thrown away.“They often have so much to offer, so many abilities,but need help in expressing them.”In doing her part in getting the word, she decidedto approach it in a light, fun way.“We want to have fun with this; at the same time,we are doing some serious stuff,” she said. “I want touplift. I don’t feel devastated; yes, frustrated, but veryhopeful.”What does Cooling hope all of this work ultimatelyleads to?“I am hoping to lift the load of the work off the familyand into professional hands,” she said. “You end updoing much of it yourself as a family. We just don’tknow enough.”Cooling’s latest album, Global Cooling, on theGroup2 Productions label, is set to be released April7, but pre-release CDs will be available to fans at theshow April 4, the kickoff of her Global Cooling tour.Her seventh studio album is a collection of danceablejazz, featuring her signature, colorful, bodymovingsound.“It’s eclectic -- you can dance to it, you can trance toit,” Cooling said. “It’s up to you.”Along with songwriting partner Jay Wagner, Coolinghas crafted a stunning collection of songs thatembody places, feelings and thoughts.Some, like “Cobra” and “The Red Rose,” paintsoundscapes of exotic lands; others, like title track“Global Cooling” and “We Can,” are driven by Cooling’soptimism and love of things global and universal.”Jay and I wanted to make music in the spirit ofthat interconnectedness that I like to call our globalneighborhood,” she said.Giordano Jazz Dance ChicagoWednesday, April 1 • 7:30 p.m. • Schaeffer AuditoriumFor more than 40 years, Giordano JazzDance Chicago, the nation’s originaljazz dance company, has brought theexcitement of American jazz dance toaudiences throughout the world. Nevercontent to rest on its fl eet-footed laurels, the companyconsistently introduces fresh approaches to the jazzgenre, stretching their vocabulary in athletic andwitty directions.TICKETS: $30 • Students: $27For information: 610-683-4511 • www.kutztownpresents.orgReading Eagle Company is proud to be the major sponsorof the Kutztown University Performing Artists Seriesat the festival...NAMI BERKS/LANCASTER COUNTY BENEFITWhat: East Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry,Michael Paulo, Lee Thornburg, plus Joyce Cooling BandWhen: Saturday, April 4 • 2 p.m.Where: Reading Crowne Hotel ballroomHow to help: Portion of proceeds from Joyce Cooling’sCD sales are donated to NAMI’s Berks and Lancaster countyaffiliates. Get Joyce Cooling Band’s new CD, Global Cooling,at the concert, before the official April 7 release date!Tickets: $39www.joycecooling.com / www.namiberkscounty.com / www.nami.org / www.berksjazzfest.comVF Outlet providing free shuttle service to hotel guestsFor the second straight year, VF Outlet shuttle will take fans stayingat participating hotels to major festival concerts — and back to theirrespective hotel for free.For more information or to make a reservation, please call610-208-5498. Space is limited and reservations are required 48hours in advance.Participating hotels: Best Western; Comfort Inn; Country Inn & Suitesby Carlson; Days Inn/Wyomissing; Hampton Inn; Holiday Inn Express;Reading Crowne Hotel; Abraham Lincoln Hotel/Wyndham; and The Innat Reading.mark your calendars!20th annual vf outlet berks jazz festmarch 19-28, 2010www.berksjazzfest.com

A20 Sunday, March 22, 2009 reading Eagle, Reading, Pa.