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CLICK HERE for the complete schedule of
major Berks Jazz Fest concerts. Dianne Reeves, Reading Symphony to open fest in style  Dynamic
jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves joins the
Reading Symphony Orchestra for what
promises to be an amazing concert to kick off the 23rd annual Boscov's Berks
Jazz Fest.To help celebrate the RSO's 100th anniversary, Dianne Reeves and her band will join the orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Constantine, on stage Friday, April 5, at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. Reeves is, without question, the pre-eminent female jazz vocalist in the world. Reeves is a four-time Grammy winner -- the only singer to win the vocal category for three consecutive recordings in any singing category. Her versatility in song interpretation is unrivaled, a talent which is richly on display in each and every song. Reeves appeared in George Clooney’s “Good Night, and Good Luck,” the Academy Award-nominated film that chronicles Edward R. Murrow’s confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy. The soundtrack recording of “Good Night, and Good Luck” provided Reeves her fourth Best Jazz Vocal Grammy in 2006. Reeves has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim; and was a featured soloist with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic. This is a must-see concert during the fest! |
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Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King a
blues tour de force There
is no question why Joe Kubek has
earned the nickname Smokin.'Kubek is one of the hottest guitar players on the blues scene. He has the technique and the chops to burn up any stage and has been doing so since the 1970s, playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan and other blues legends such as the three Kings -- B.B., Albert and Freddie. Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King headline a "Blues at the Inn" co-bill Friday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Inn at Reading Ballroom. The New York-based Chris Bergson will open the night with his band and the Berks Horns. Kubek's career did not hit its stride until he teamed up with jazz guitarist and singer Bnois King in 1989. This union began during a regular gig in Dallas when Kubek invited King to sit in and found that King's softer, jazz-based guitar and vocals perfectly complemented Kubek's headier rock-inspired guitar work. The combination just clicked, resulting in a tasteful blending of differing styles with satisfying, fiery results. The two formed a band and have been playing, touring, and recording together ever since. Together, they form a musical partnership, complementing each other in a dynamic musical tour de force. |
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Elling named top vocalist by
JazzTimes and DownBeat Recognition
from fans and critics keep rolling in for Kurt Elling.Last week, Elling was named Best Male Vocalist for the eighth time and his 1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project was selected as the Best New Release in the annual JazzTimes Readers Poll. Kurt Elling, who also was runner-up for the magazine's Best Artist of the Year, will be part of the Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest, performing Saturday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., Miller Center for the Arts. The dynamic Kutztown University Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Dr. Kevin Kjos, will open for Elling and his outstanding band. Last month, Elling was named Male Vocalist of the Year in both the DownBeat Critics and Readers polls. It was the seventh year Elling has topped the DownBeat Readers Poll. He has won the top spot in the Critics Poll 13 straight consecutive years. If you have never seen Elling perform live, you do not want to miss this concert. Grammy nods: Albright,
Brown, Elling, Loeb, Sandoval, Spalding |
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The
Berks Jazz Fest will be well represented when the Grammy Awards are handed out
on Sunday, Feb. 10, in Los Angeles.
