31st Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest

Featured Festival

Reading, Pennsylvania, April 1-10

By Melanie Maxwell

The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is unique in so many ways. It’s a 10-day, all-indoor, music and educational extravaganza at various venues throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania.

The locale, 70 miles north of Philadelphia, is known for railroads, trains, bridges, rich farmland, a thriving arts community and the birthplace of American pioneer and frontiersman Daniel Boone. Also, it’s less than an hour’s drive to the Amish Country and Hershey’s Chocolate World. However, thanks to the Berks Arts organization, it has also become a can’t-miss festival destination to kick off each smooth jazz year. Genre enthusiasts nationwide flock to the fest not only for the music, but to enjoy the sense of camaraderie among the artists, musicians, community and one another. It feels like a neighborly block party or a fun family reunion … but with the best entertainment. Warm vibes emanate from the top, starting with the festival’s general manager, John Ernesto. He’s friends with many attendees and even closer to most of the artists and musicians. So, when any member of the Berks family passes away, Ernesto never forgets them. For example, each year since Chuck Loeb’s passing in 2017, Ernesto has produced the Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jazz Jam to honor the multi-Grammy-nominated guitarist. “Chuck meant so much to the fest and to me personally,” Ernesto said. “We enjoyed creating special, unique performances for the fest. At the top of a long list of such shows is the Wes Montgomery Tribute we produced in 2006 that featured Chuck and guitarists Pat Martino, Larry Carlton, Earl Klugh, Russell Malone, Paul Jackson Jr. and Jimmy Bruno. It was an amazing concert. An amazing night. A musical memory to cherish.” Sadly, this year, he’s added another guitarist to that roster. Nick Colionne, who performed often at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest and was scheduled for this year’s lineup, passed away unexpectedly on New Year’s Day.

“Losing Nick Colionne last month was a devastating loss for the contemporary jazz world,” Ernesto said during an interview in early February. “Nick was a very special person. He made every fan feel like they were his most important fan. He loved the Berks Jazz Fest. And the fest loved him. It is only fitting that we will honor Nick’s memory at the fest.” One of the tributes will be included during the 31st Anniversary Celebration Concert featuring Eric Marienthal, Rick Braun, Keiko Matsui and more on April 8, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The other is a brunch concert, “Nick Colionne’s Friends: A Salute to

Farms and bridges are common sights in Berks County, Pennsylvania Nico!” with Maysa, Kim Waters, Gerald Veasley, Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner, which is scheduled for April 10, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. The DoubleTree by Hilton Reading and the Scottish Rite Cathedral are venues where many of the main concerts happen. Other headlining shows, including “A Night with Brian Culbertson featuring Marcus Anderson,” “Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis” and Gregory Porter, will be held a few blocks away from the DoubleTree at the Santander Performing Arts Center. Festivalgoers often shuffle between three or more venues in one day, most of which are near one another. Organizing, booking, scheduling and staging an event such as this—with more than 100 acts, plus educational programs, merchandise, an auction and art exhibit—requires an enormous amount of time, labor and good relationships. Imagine the logistics of producing all of these shows at more than a dozen venues, including bars, clubs, restaurants, churches, community centers and a college. Or the pressure of creating entertainment to wow the approximate 35,000 fans in attendance each year. Behind the scenes, Berks Arts, the nonprofit organization that presents the festival, helps provide the budget, staff and volunteers for Ernesto to execute this program. “Each year, I work closely with the Berks Arts team, Justin Heimbecker, executive director, and staff members Gary Spencer and Mamie Covell, to develop a vision, a plan for the fest,” Ernesto explained.

continued on page 12

D an ie l Ray Ph ot o :

BRIAN CULBERTSON

BONEY JAMES

There will be two tribute shows to honor the legacy of Nick Colionne, who sadly passed away this year

M ic hae l Bec ker Ph ot o :

MINDI ABAIR

t P h o

o : Ra j Na ik

RICKBRAUN

B o b by Gu illar d Ph ot o :

VINCENT INGALA

M é l isa Miranda Ph ot o :

MARCUS ANDERSON

n don Albr ight, Snowdesert Productions Ph ot o: B r a GERALD ALBRIGHT

B o b by Gu illar d Ph ot o :

BRIAN SIMPSON

continued from page 11 As huge music fans of all genres, Ernesto and his wife, Suzie, each have a good ear for great talent. So, when booking Berks, Ernesto always has a few acts he’s especially eager to see. “Anytime you get to present Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, it is exciting. Wynton was the first headliner at the inaugural fest in 1991,” Ernesto said. “I’m also looking forward to the Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis-produced ‘Celebrating Women in Jazz’ concert, featuring Patti Austin and others. Chris always produces a great show. Plus, the new collaboration of Everette Harp and Andy Snitzer.” Since the artists quickly become part of the Berks family, many of them, such as Braun and Veasley, return each year. Fans never seem to tire of these repeat performers, who often update their shows or are paired with specialty ensembles. However, festivalgoers are thrilled to discover new talent. This year, San Diego-based vocalist Rebecca Jade will be among the festival’s first-timers. “The Berks Jazz Fest is a unique experience that brings together fans and artists from all over the country who get to hang out for 10 days in a friendly, familylike atmosphere. We’ve been fortunate to create that for them,” Ernesto said. “It’s also a collaboration of the arts community, the business community, the hotel community and, most importantly, the volunteer community. “Our mission each year is to take care of the fans, take care of the artists, and everything else will take care of itself,” Ernesto concluded.

When

April 1-10

Where

Various venues throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania. Main venues include: Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N. 6th St., Reading; DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St., Reading; Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 S. 7th Ave., W. Reading; Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College, 4 N. 2nd St., Reading.

Getting there

Flights are available to the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), approximately 70 miles from Berks County.

Staying there

www.berksjazzfest.com/where-to-stay/

Tickets and information

Visit www.berksjazzfest.com

Lineup

Below is a partial lineup of the major concerts. For the complete lineup, visit the festival website. For smooth jazz concert listings, see our calendar section, beginning on page 24.

Friday, April 1

Opening Night Celebration featuring Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.....................................................................7 p.m. Santander Performing Arts Center Eric Darius featuring Rebecca Jade...............................................7 p.m. Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College Peter White and Vincent Ingala with special guest Mindi Abair....9:30 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom Gerald Veasley’s Jam with Eric Darius, Jeff Kashiwa, Brian Bromberg, JJ Sansaverino, Bobby Lyle, Andrew Neu, Rob DeBoer, Tony Grace, Karen Briggs, Donald Robinson, Richard Waller and more ....11:30 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, small ballroom

Saturday, April 2

Najee with special guests Bobby Lyle and Chris Walker ...............1 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom Gregg Karukas’ Hammond B3 Organ Group featuring Brad Collins, Deren Blessman and The Berks Horns .....................................4:30 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, small ballroom

An Evening with Gregory Porter....................................................7 p.m. Santander Performing Arts Center

Sunday, April 3

Four80East with special guests Jeff Kashiwa and JJ Sansaverino..........................................................................2:30 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, small ballroom A Night with Brian Culbertson featuring Marcus Anderson ..........6 p.m. Santander Performing Arts Center

Thursday, April 7

Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jazz Jam featuring Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg, Eric Marienthal, Everette Harp, Andy Snitzer, Keiko Matsui, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Bobby Lyle, Adam Hawley and Curtis McCain, plus special performance by Patti Austin....................................................................................... 7 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom

Friday, April 8

31st Anniversary Celebration Concert featuring Eric Marienthal, Rick Braun, Keiko Matsui, Everette Harp, Brian Bromberg, Adam Hawley, Lindsey Webster, The Berks Horns, featuring a Tribute to Nick Colionne............................ 6 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral

Boney James ............................................................................9:30 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom

Saturday, April 9

Chris “Big Dog” Davis presents Celebrating Women in Jazz featuring Patti Austin, Maysa, Lindsey Webster, Selina Albright, Jessy J, Karen Briggs, Althea Rene and Marcia Miget ..................1 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Grand Ballroom Afternoon Jazz Party hosted by Al “DJ Act” Taylor featuring performance by Tony Exum Jr...................................3:30 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Cheers Lounge David Sanborn and Friends featuring special guests Randy Brecker, Joey DeFrancesco and Billy Kilson................................................6 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral

Sunday, April 10

A Contemporary Sax Retrospective: Inspirations! featuring Everette Harp and Andy Snitzer.....................................3 p.m. Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College 31st Anniversary Finale featuring Rick Braun and Gerald Albright with special guest Jeff Lorber........................................................6 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral