ON THE EVE OF BOSCOV’S BERKS JAZZ FEST: AWARDS NIGHT

Berks Arts held its annual Awards Night on Thursday, March 19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, as the 35th edition of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest was gearing up for opening day.

An enthusiastic crowd of board members, volunteers, staff, jazz musicians and friends of jazz gathered in the Grand Ballroom for an evening of food, music, art and celebration of the 10-day festival that has become one of the most respected and loved event of its kind in the country.

Hosted by Michael Tozzi, the Philadelphia radio personality who helped put Berks Jazz Fest on the map, and former Berks Arts board president and board member Keith Mooney, the event included music by a six-piece jazz band led by saxophonist Albert Rivera.

Works of art submitted by regional artists for the annual Frank Scott Memorial Art Show Awards were on display in the ballroom.

Mayor Eddie Moran’s Chief of Staff, English Bradley, presented a proclamation recognizing the contributions of Berks Jazz Fest to the community, and Mooney shared a proclamation by the Pennsylvania State Legislature, sent by State Senator Judy Schwank, that March will henceforth be Berks Jazz Fest Day in Pennsylvania.

The following awards were presented:

Frank Scott Memorial Art Show Awards: First place went to York-based artist Kayode Malomo, for his elegant acrylic painting, “Jazzy Strides,” in shades of blue. Second place winner was Mary Ann Mengel, for her painting, “Play Like a Girl”; and third place went to Gregory Didyoung’s “Fragmented Melody,” a Picasso-like found-metal assemblage made of two axes, a shovel, wine rack, and other items.

Chuck Loeb Memorial Jazz Ensemble Scholarship: Keri Shultz, Reading Musical Foundation President, presented the scholarship to The Baseless Trio, two of whose members, pianist Gabriel Perry (a senior at Schuylkill Valley High School) and guitarist Aidan Wilson (a junior at Muhlenberg High School), were part of Rivera’s band. The third member, drummer Dexter Sales (a junior at Wilson High School), was unable to attend.

Frank Scott Award: This award, founded and sponsored by the Jerlyn Foundation in honor of the late local jazz saxophonist, Frank Scott, and his contribution to Berks County’s jazz heritage, has been given to notable jazz musicians since 2005. This year, for the first time, it was presented to a journalist, Susan Peña, who has been writing about and reviewing the festival since its inception, first for the Reading Eagle, and later for the festival program book and publicity materials.

John Ernesto Volunteer of the Year Awards: After an acknowledgement of the recent passing of beloved volunteer Stan Danner, awards were presented to production volunteers Art Stricek and Lee Jarmon, and front-of-house volunteers Susan Colon and Steve Schory. Throughout the evening, it was emphasized by many of the people onstage that Berks Jazz Fest could not exist without the hard work and dedication of its army of volunteers.

Pagoda Awards: This year there were two recipients for the annual award, which Berks Arts presents to local individuals and organizations who have had an exceptional impact on the arts in the community. Harry Serio, former president and board member of Berks Arts, presented the award to Sergei Szortyka, CEO of Quaker Maid Meats, for his community leadership and commitment to promoting the arts. Bassist Gerald Veasley, a fixture for many years at Berks Jazz Fest and 2025 Pagoda Award Recipient, presented the award to Susan Rohn, who has recently retired as executive director of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, for her two decades of leadership, vision and dedication to arts education.

Other presenters in the awards ceremony were Berks Arts executive director Tish Davis, volunteer coordinator Chris Allen, festival artistic director John Ernesto, jazz vocalist Toni Lynn and operations director Chanteé Gibson.