Jazz fans from all over the country eagerly await the announcement of the lineup for the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest with the approach of each December.
The fest will mark its 33rd year beginning on Friday, April 5, and will run through Sunday, April 14. Headliners will include some of the world’s most acclaimed artists in every kind of jazz; it’s a big party to look forward to all winter.
Tickets for the events go on sale on Saturday, Dec. 9.
“The goal each year is to program and present artists who represent the diversity of musical styles that make up the jazz genre,” said John Ernesto, Berks Jazz Fest artistic director. “This lineup will provide fans the opportunity to experience and enjoy traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, fusion jazz, big band, blues, R&B and more.
“The schedule features plenty of musical choices jammed into the 10-day fest.”
Opening day will be busy, starting with the traditional Harold B. Leifer Memorial Luncheon at the Peanut Bar Restaurant, featuring The Groovemasters (pianist Cliff Starkey, bassist Bennie Sims and saxophonist Erich Cawalla).
After a welcome concert by Greg Adams & East Bay Soul at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading at 3 p.m., the evening will continue with bassist Marcus Miller and guitarist Jonathan Butler debuting a new collaboration concert at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading; and great jazz by renowned bassist Christian McBride with the Dave Stryker Quartet featuring vibraphonist Warren Wolf at the Miller Center for the Arts.
Later, saxophonist Najee & Friends featuring Alex Bugnon, Alyson Williams and Tom Brown will fill the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom with sweet contemporary jazz.
And that’s just the first day. There will be nine more days so packed with choices that it may take time to plan a path through the fest.
Luckily, there are special events that allow audiences to experience many artists at once. The first of these will be “The Future Is Now!” which will feature up-and-coming artists including trombonist/vocalist Aubrey Logan (from Postmodern Jukebox), British keyboardist Oli Silk, trumpeter/vocalist Ilya Serov and six more at the Miller Center on April 6.
The ever-popular Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jam, hosted by Rick Braun and Gerald Veasley, will be packed with audience favorites on April 11 at the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom.
“Remembering Grover Washington Jr.” will feature Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Gerald Veasley and more at the DoubleTree on April 12.
And Chris “Big Dog” Davis will present the third iteration of “Celebrating the Women in Jazz,” with Melba Moore, Nicole Henry, Maysa, Paulette McWilliams and more at the Scottish Rite on April 13.
The many, many fans of the legendary guitarist Pat Metheny will be happy to know that his national tour in support of his latest Grammy-nominated album, “Dream Box,” will be stopping at the Scottish Rite on April 6.
The British acid-jazz band Incognito will be performing with former member Maysa later that night at the DoubleTree.
Pianist Keiko Matsui will return to the festival with the Reading Pops Orchestra on April 7 at the Miller Center; that night Kirk Whalum’s “Gospel According to Jazz” will return with many guests and the Fresh Wind Gospel Choir.
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will perform at Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium on Wednesday, April 10.
The second weekend will begin with Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Peter White in a “West Coast Jam” at the Scottish Rite on Friday, April 12; and The Baylor Project, a husband/wife duo featuring drummer Marcus Baylor (formerly of The Yellowjackets) and vocalist Jean Baylor, at the Miller Center the same evening.
And that Saturday, April 13, patrons can choose a concert by jazz piano phenom Joey Alexander, with Tuck & Patti, at the Miller Center; or the Hot Club of Reading at the WCR Center for the Arts.
Saturday is also Reading Blues Fest Day, featuring guitarist Craig Thatcher & Friends in an “Eric Clapton Retrospective;” singer/guitarist Rick Vito (formerly of Fleetwood Mac) that afternoon; and blues/roots/soul artist Danielle Nicole, a two-time BMA-winning singer and bassist, that evening, all in the DoubleTree Small Ballroom.
The final Sunday will begin with a jazz brunch featuring Brian Bromberg & Friends at the DoubleTree. That afternoon at 4, Brian Culbertson’s “Trilogy Tour” will appear at the Scottish Rite, and Allentown native Jerome Collins, a tenor from the male a cappella group Straight No Chaser, will wrap things up at 6:30 p.m. in the Miller Center.
Other notable artists performing at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 2024 will include Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin (with Kirk Whalum); Bobby Lyle, Andrew Neu and the Bright & Tight Horns; the all-female octet Jazz in Pink; the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors with the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band; Eric Darius and Rebecca Jade on the same bill as “Rhythm & Groove Tour” with Brian Simpson, Marion Meadows and Steve Oliver; and the Simon Shaheen Fusion Quartet.
“This year’s festival features an exciting combination of familiar faces and new performers,” said Justin Heimbecker, Berks Arts executive director. “There is certainly something for everyone at Berks each year, and 2024 will be no exception.”
Also part of the festival will be the GetJazzed@Berks Scholastic Festival on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10. This event gives student jazz musicians an opportunity to enhance their jazz skills.
The annual RMF Project Penske Jazz Jam, which involves both students and professionals, will be held Monday, April 8, in the DoubleTree Small Ballroom. The public is invited to attend this event, hosted by Mike Eben, with artist clinicians Gerald Veasley, Albert Rivera, Bobby Lyle, Tony Moore and Andrew Neu.
For those who want to get an early start to the festivities, there will be a special event, “Celebrating the Music of Doc Mulligan,” by Mike Eben & Friends, at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education as part of its Jazz on the Avenue Series, on March 30.
On April 4, acclaimed vibraphonist Warren Wolf will perform at the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research at KU.
For a complete guide to Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 2024, visit www.berksjazzfest.com, where you can view the schedule along with artist bios, news and other information, including how to purchase tickets.
A Berks Jazz Fest Arts Advocate presale will begin in-person at the DoubleTree at 9 a.m. and online at noon on Saturday, Dec. 2. Check the website for details.
