Get JazzED at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts / Schedule April 5-11

      
     The Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest is pleased to partner with the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading Musical Foundation, The Penske Project, Reading Eagle/Voices, and the Berks Jazz Jam to present a special week-long music education experience, featuring a mix of live performances, workshops and film, for jazz fans of all ages.
     All events will be held in the beautiful, 120-seat GoggleWorks Theatre located inside the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts at 201 Washington Street in downtown Reading.
     There is plenty of free parking at the center.
     Hope to see you at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts!
 

Berks Jazz Jam Penske Project Penke Jazz Education Reading Muscial Foundation Voices


Friday, April 5
Concert Film: Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton "Play the Blues"
                       Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     New York City's premier jazz venue got the blues last April when Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton performed together in Rose Theater at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center for two sold-out shows dedicated to vintage blues.
    The extraordinary collaboration, billed as Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play the Blues, paired these musical virtuosos with members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as they brought to life a repertoire of songs selected by Clapton and arranged by Marsalis.
    Marsalis and the JALC orchestra musicians joyously reveled in aiding Clapton's exploration into the depths of New Orlean's and southern-based blues and jazz.
    One critic wrote: “New Orleans jazz mixed with the blues -- a must listen for everyone who is a Clapton fan or Marsalis fan.”
    CLICK HERE to view video of Marsalis and Clapton performing "Layla."
 



Friday, April 5
Concert: Berks Jazz Jam Blues Night
              featuring Lil' Ragu & The Blues All-Stars
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     The Berks Jazz Jam will host its first "blues" concert and jam featuring the Dave Piccone-led Lil' Ragu & The Blues All-Stars.
     Young musicians will get a chance to learn as they share the stage with the too-flight musicians.
     Lil' Ragu plays a unique saucy blend of classic and contemporary blues, classic rock, and Motown mixed together with their very own special ingredients, giving the songs a unique spice and feel.
     The master story teller Lil-Ragu will give you an entertainment experience that you will remember.
 



Saturday, April 6
Concert/Workshop: British guitar legend Martin Taylor
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Admission: $30, includes concert and workshop
    To purchase tickets:
    1) Stop by CD Exchange located at Stabon Pond Plaza, 360 E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton.
    2) Phone orders, call CD Exchange at 610-777-2310.
   
3) CLICK HERE to order tickets online.
    Seating limited. Get your tickets NOW!
     The Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest is pleased to announce that guitar legend Martin Taylor will be part of the fest and the Get JazzED at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts program.
    Taylor is a multi-award winning guitarist and Acoustic Guitar magazine calls him "THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation." He dazzles audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humor, and a strong stage presence while his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo finger-style guitar playing.
    Taylor has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world.
    CLICK HERE to view video of Taylor performing "Stompin' at the Savoy."
   



Saturday, April 6

Concert: Berks High School All-Star Jazz Chorus
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    A major highlight of the Berks Jazz Fest is the performances by the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Chorus and the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band.
   The all-star chorus will open this special night of music led by guest director June Thomas.
   The all-star chorus is comprised of the following students:
   Soprano section: Cecily Ryan, Kutztown; Katherine Weidner, Wyomissing; Amy Swartz, Oley Valley; Katie Spencer, Exeter.
   Alto section: Rachel Ohnsman, Wyomissing; Sandra Bennett, Wyomissing; Kimberly Brazina, Kutztown; Baylee Zimmerman, Kutztown.
   Tenor section: Sawyer Herbine, Kutztown; Rainer Aristy, Wyomissing; Chris Frye, Oley Valley; Benjamin Dunst, Exeter.
   Bass section: Alex Barnett, Oley Valley; Nathan Gearhart, Oley Valley; Joshua Sell, Oley Valley; Jake Kanavins, Oley Valley.
 



Saturday, April 6

Concert: Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    Following the all-star chorus will be the all-star big band under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Neil Wetzel.
    The Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band is comprised of the following students:
    Alto Sax: Kelli Hess, Boyertown; Mikaila Krall, Wilson.
    Tenor Sax: Hannah Krall, Wilson; Matthew Weidner, Brandywine Heights.
    Bari Sax: Sean O'Brien, Muhlenberg
    Trumpet: Mikaela Navgle, Wilson; Anson Weidner, Kutztown; Jeff McNeill, Muhlenberg; Mason Seewagon, Brandywine Heights.
    Trombone: Ben Rohde, Fleetwood; Eric Wolfe, Oley Valley; Chris Collier, Kutztown; Will Brunner, Conrad Weiser.
    Piano: Quinn Corcoran, Gov. Mifflin.
    Guitar: Tucker Landis, Kutztown.
    Bass: Chris Teske, Fleetwood.
    Drums: Pete Snyder, Kutztown; Jeffrey Bacon, Reading.
    Vocal: Laila Fahim, Kutztown.
 



Sunday, April 7
Workshop: Tim Price's Jazz in the Classroom
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    The Jazz in the Classroom workshop is part of Tim Price's popular "Adventures in Jazz Series."
    Tim and the workshop attendees will pay respect to the masters Price had the good fortunate to share experiences with at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
    Price provides a fun and relaxing way to improve your music skills and increase your knowledge of jazz.
    Price is dedicated to the American art form. His mission is to promote jazz education and performance.
    Join him for this "Get JazzED" adventure.
 



Sunday, April 7
Jazz Film: For Love of Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    Trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval was a shining light in Cuba's exciting jazz scene and championed by jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie as one of the greatest musicians he'd ever heard.
    But as Sandoval's fame grew, so did his discomfort with Fidel Castro and Cuba's Communist leadership. Though Sandoval longed to leave Cuba and emigrate to the United States, where he could enjoy political freedom and make the most of his gifts as a musician, one thing held him back -- his love for his wife and children, whom he could not bear to leave behind.
    "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story" is a made-for-cable drama based on the true story of Sandoval's career, his eventual flight to the United States with his family, and the unexpected roadblocks that nearly prevented him from becoming a naturalized American citizen.
     Andy Garcia stars as Arturo Sandoval, with Mia Maestro co-starring as his wife, Marianela; Gloria Estefan, Tomas Milan, and Miriam Colon highlight the supporting cast.
     A few hours after the film, Arturo Sandoval and his dynamic band will perform at the Miller Center for the Arts located across the street from the GoggleWorks Theatre. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
     CLICK HERE to view trailer of "For Love of Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story."
 



Sunday, April 7
Concert: Berks Jazz Jam Latin Night
              featuring Hector Rosado and Ensemble Siete
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     As the perfect follow-up to the Arturo Sandoval film, the Berks Jazz Jam will host a Latin jazz concert and jam featuring the dynamic percussionist Hector Rosado and Ensemble Siete, who will be joined by young musicians during the concert.
     Those young musicians will be learning Latin jazz from one of the masters and his dynamic band.
     One of the most coveted Latin jazz percussionists in the area, Rosado has played in Israel, Turkey, Brazil and Japan. He has performed on "The Tonight Show," both when it was hosted by Johnny Carson and later by Jay Leno.
     He has played with salsa legend Celia Cruz, and Tito Puente on the hit Oye Como Va. He has gigged at New York's hottest salsa clubs and toured worldwide with David Byrne of the Talking Heads during the early 1990s.
 



Monday, April 8
Jazz Film: The Girls in the Band
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    In the world of jazz, women have long been marginalized as singers or piano players.
    Little has ever been documented about the enormously talented female trumpet players, saxophonist and drummers who struggled for recognition but were cut off from any meaningful employment by men who didn't want women on their bandstands.
    This awarding-winning film traces the history of the all-girl bands and the struggles of the handful who broke through the male bastions, and brings us into the present day, where brilliantly gifted young women are going toe-to-toe with the finest jazz musicians of their day.
     Featured in the film are noted contemporary artists like Marian McPartland, Diana Krall and Esperanza Spalding, the gifted bass player/singer who is performing during the Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest on Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
    The Girls in the Band was screened during the Berks Arts Council's Greater Reading Film Festival last October.
    CLICK HERE to view "Girls in the Band" trailer.
 



Monday, April 8
Concert: Monnette Sudler's Ladies Night Out
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    Monnette Sudler's Ladies Night Out project was the perfect selection to perform live following The Girls in the Band film.
    Joining guitarist/percussionist/vocalist Sudler will be Lynne Riley, saxophones and flute; Noriko Kamo, organ, piano and vocals; and Lucianna Padmore, drums.
  
 Ladies Night Out were originally assembled by Sudler for a one-time performance at the Cape May Jazz Festival. The ensemble received such rave reviews that they decided to continue to work together -- and these superb musicians continue to be well received by audiences.
   
They put their signature sound to jazz selections like Speak No Evil, My Romance, and Sudler's chart-busting original, The Other Side of the Gemini.
   
CLICK HERE to view video of Ladies Night Out performing.
 



Tuesday, April 9

Concert: Albright College "Big Cat" Jazz Ensemble
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     The newly named Big Cat Jazz Ensemble at Albright College has been a tradition at the school for many years.
     Although originally patterned after a traditional big band set-up, this year's band gives us a unique look.
     The group is made up entirely of guitar, piano, bass guitar players and percussionists. They bring a "jam band" sensibility to the music, and have been learning their craft via the great "Real Book" tunes of jazz history.
    
Directed by local musician/educator Mike Eben, the band will play swing, Latin, funk and more, as they present some classic tunes by the likes of Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins and more.
     The ensemble members are Sam Stocker, Taylor Lawrence, Kumi Balthazar, guitars; Ben Brooks, piano; Dan Bross, Al Mummert, bass; and Josh Ehlinger, Will Hartford, drums/percussion.
   



Tuesday, April 9
Concert: Reading High School "Castleaires"
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     The Reading High School “Castleaires”, under the direction of Charlie DiCarne, consists of students between the grades of 8th through 12th.
     The Castleaires is a by-audition-only ensemble, that rehearses two times a week, beginning in November and runs through the end of the year.
     The Castleaires began as a student run group in the 1940s and has had a rich history for more than 60 years. Numerous artists and clinicians have performed with the band over the years, including Wycliffe Gordon, The Sean J. Kennedy Quartet, Tom “Bones” Malone, Frank Fontaine, Adam Bartczak, Randy Brecker, Anat Cohen, Tim Price, Dave Stahl, Jim Snidero, and Wynton Marsalis.
 



Tuesday, April 9
Concert: Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band Alumni Jam
               hosted and directed by The Nathan Bellott Group
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     Before heading to New York to attend college, Nathan Bellott was one of the shining stars in the Berks County music circles.
     Bellott was a member of the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band.
     Now Bellot is coming home with his jazz group to host a special concert featuring other Berks musicians who were members of the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band.
     After attending SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, Bellott decided to take his talents to The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan.
     While at Purchase, Nathan studied with Jon Gordon as well as Todd Coolman, Charles Blenzig, Pete Malinverni, Mark Vinci, Hal Galper, Ralph Lalama, Steve Wilson, David DeJesus and others. In addition to studying at the conservatory, Nathan has been active in participating and supporting the vibrant NYC jazz scene.
    He has shared the stage with some of the worlds best musicians, including Bill Goodwin, Donny McCaslin, Bobby Sanabria, Bob Dorough, Wynton Marsalis, David Liebman, and Arturo O'Farrill.
    For the past two summers, he has taught saxophone and creative classes at the Reading Summer Music Institute in Reading.

 



Wednesday, April 10
Jazz Film: Sidney Bechet: Treat It Gentle
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     Who was the New Orleans jazz pioneer who did most to make this music a unique art form?
     When this question is asked, the name of Louis Armstrong invariably comes to mind, and rightly so.
     But there is another jazz musician whose name deserves to be coupled with Armstrong as the greatest of the New Orleans Jazz players. His name is Sidney Bechet.
     Bechet collaborated with many icons of 20th-century American music, including Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith.
     This engaging film portrait retraces the soprano saxophonist's life, from his New Orleans youth through his rise to musical fame in New York, London and Paris.
     Bechet's legacy is touted by a host of friends and family, as well as more famous names such as Wynton Marsalis and Woody Allen. Bechet’s life was like his playing, passionate, robust and competitive.
     CLICK HERE to view vintage video of Bechet playing St. Louis Blues.
  



Wednesday, April 10
Concert: Berks Jazz Jam Music of New Orleans Night
               Hesse’s Hot 3 featuring Chris Heslop, Josh Taylor,
               Ken Kemmerer
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
    The Berks Jazz Jam will host a swinging night of New Orleans music featuring Hesse's Hot 3.
    The smallest group in the Hesse franchise, Hesse's Hot 3 -- Chris Heslop, Josh Taylor and Ken Kemmerer -- features a repertoire that includes many New Orleans favorites, but also a healthy sampling of early French jazz, some Cuban tunes, horas, polkas, and parade music.
    An evening with Hesse's Hot 3 is a great follow-up to the Sydney Bechet film.
    CLICK HERE to view Hesse's Hot 3 video.

 



Thursday, April 11
Guitar Workshop: Chuck Loeb's String Training
                              featuring Loeb, Oz Noy, Norman Brown
Time: 11 a.m.
Admission: $20 registration fee
How to registration:
     1) You can stop by CD Exchange located at Stabon Pond Plaza, 360 E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton, PA 19540.
     2) You can call CD Exchange at 610-777-2310.
     3) Or, CLICK HERE to register online

     Iconic jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb presents this special guitar workshop/seminar for musicians of all ages and levels that want to pursue the many facets of guitar playing.
   The String Training workshop/clinic will address many of the topics and challenges facing today’s guitarists including jazz, blues, rock and fusion improvisation; chord structures and accompaniment; sight reading, practice and study habits.
   In this fourth edition of String Training, Chuck is honored to be joined by fellow guitarists Oz Noy and Norman Brown.
   The format will be interactive -- with instruction, discussion, question and answer sessions, and student participation.
   So bring your axe, your pick, your strings, and your strap as we prepare you for the new season of guitar at Chuck Loeb’s String Training (cleats not required).

 



Thursday, April 11
Jazz Film: Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     Right up until his passing last year, Dave Brubeck amazed millions of fans across the globe.
     In 2010, his 90th birthday was celebrated by the release of a new documentary on him, Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way, which was executive-produced by Clint Eastwood.
     The documentary takes its name from one of Brubeck's most famous tunes, "In Your Own Sweet Way."
     Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way was produced and directed by award-winning jazz filmmaker and longtime Eastwood collaborator Bruce Ricker.
    The film tells Brubeck's personal story, including his early musical training; studies with Darius Milhaud, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, featuring Paul Desmond; and the musical revolution caused by his introduction of new time signatures in jazz, such as in the jazz standard "Take Five."
    The film also features contemporary interviews, including George Lucas, Sting, Bill Cosby, Jamie Cullum, David Benoit and Yo-Yo Ma. Also included are previously unseen archival footage and photographs; vintage performances from the Newport Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival; and a never-before-seen interview with Dave Brubeck and Walter Cronkite.
    Finally, here are also interviews filmed for the documentary with Dave and Iola Brubeck, that captures their longtime romance and artistic collaboration.
    CLICK HERE to video trailer from the Dave Brubeck documentary.

 



Thursday, April 11

Concert: The Music of Dave Brubeck
               featuring the Erwin Chandler Quartet
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE (donations accepted)
     Berks County pianist Erwin Chandler has been a Dave Brubeck admiring for many years.
     Chandler has performer many concerts featuring the music of the jazz legend who passed away last year at 91.
     So it is fitting that Chandler and his quarter, featuring Kenny Blekicki on sax, John Rozum on drums, and Austin Gross on bass, headline the concert that follows the Dave Brubeck: In His own Sweet Way film.
     Chandler has maintained a varied musical career in performance, teaching, and composition. He has received numerous commissions and awards, including the prestigious George Washington Medal of Honor for high achievement in composition for his work The Constitution (Valley Forge Freedom Foundation) for narrator, chorus, and orchestra/band.
 



Special thanks to the Reading Musical Foundation
for its continued support for Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest educational programs.


 




 

 

 

The Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest is presented by The Berks Arts Council