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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!
 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.
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