It's official. Drummer Will Kennedy is back with the Yellowjackets.

On its web site, the band confirmed that Kennedy has replaced Marcus Baylor, who took over the Jackets drum chair 10 years ago when Kennedy decided to leave the band to explore other musical opportunities.

During his first 10-year stint, Kennedy recorded 10 records with the Jackets -- Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Bob Mintzer -- who received 14 Grammy nominations during that time. Will also won Modern Drummer magazine's reader's poll for best drummer (electric jazz category) three years in a row.

Kennedy will be performing both weekends of the festival. On Saturday, March 20, he will be the drummer for the Brian Bromberg & Friends show at the Crowne Plaza Reading Ballroom, 10 p.m.

Kennedy returns the following weekend with the Yellowjackets for two shows at Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base on Saturday, March 27, 7 and 10 p.m.

While attending a music conference in New York recently, I had the chance to see Frank Vignola's Hot Club perform live.

All I can say is WOW! What an amazing performance by five master musicians.

The Frank Vignola Hot Club will be performing during the Berks Jazz Fest on Tuesday, March 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Miller Center for the Arts located on the campus of Reading Area Community College.

Guitar virtuoso Vignola and his ensemble will be celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, who would have been 100 in 2010.

In addition to Vignola, the Hot Club includes monster bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, young guitarist extraordinaire Vinny Raniolo, violinist Zach Prock, and French-born accordionist Julien Labro.
 
You do not want to miss this show!

Check out these YouTube videos of Frank Vignola's Hot Club performing live at The Wagon Shed:

 Gypsy Mania
                                    
 Rimsky Korsakov 
                 
 Belleville

 Diminishing Blackness

 Carmen Medley

I apologize for not posting any Berks Jazz Fest news/updates since the end of 2009.

Well, there is plenty of exciting things happening with the 20th annual fest.

A special "Countdown to 20th" series of concerts and events has been finalized, which will turn Reading into "Jazztown USA" now through the end of the festival on Sunday, March 28.

The "Countdown" events include the following:

1) All Thursday night concerts scheduled at Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base.

2) The Manhattan Transfer concert at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 20.

3) A free community concert at the VF Outlet complex on Saturday, March 6.

4) A "Tribute to Tower of Power" concert featuring the Dance Hall Docs and special guest vocalist Brent Carter, former lead singer with TOP, set for Friday, March 12, at the Inn at Reading, 8 p.m.

5) And much more! CLICK HERE for complete schedule.

More events will be added as they are finalized.

We are making every effort to make this milestone fest the best ever.