Celebrating 32 years in 2023, Berks Jazz Fest is one of the most prolific festivals of its kind, drawing nearly 30,000 visitors from all over the world. Musicians from all backgrounds, locales, and genres convene annually for the 10-day festival, which features dozens of concerts at venues across the region.

Festival Schedule:

March 8, 2023

7:00 PM: Preview Night: The Last Big Band

The Rivet: Canteen & Assembly venue will present two Berks Jazz Fest preview concerts in Pottstown (PA), beginning with The Last Big Band.

The Last Big Band is a 17-piece band with members from West Chester and Reading, who play music for listening or dancing.

Founded by trombonist Jim Zollers and trumpet player Roger Morgan in 2002, the band has performed at festivals, jazz clubs, ballrooms, and private events throughout the region.

Members include alumni of West Chester University’s renowned Criterions Jazz Ensemble, as well as popular Berks County jazz musicians.

Location: Rivet: Canteen & Assembly, 238 E High St, Pottstown, PA 19464, USA

March 11, 2023

7:00 PM: Preview Night: The Weight Band

One of the most influential rock bands of all time was simply called The Band.

The Canadian/American group, which originated in the 1950s, famously backed Bob Dylan, performed at Woodstock, toured with Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead in the Festival Express, and were documented in Martin Scorsese’s 1978 film, “The Last Waltz.”

The Weight Band, founded in 2012 just after the death of The Band drummer Levon Helm by The Band’s lead guitarist Jim Weider, keeps that spirit alive, performing roadhouse rock, funky swamp pop, blues, country, soul, and folk.

In 2017 The Weight Band performed on the PBS series “Infinity Hall Live,” and released the album “World Gone Mad” in 2018. Their latest, “Shines Like Gold,” was recorded during the pandemic and released in 2022.

Weider, also an alumnus of the Levon Helm Band, is joined by Brian Mitchell and Matt Zeiner (keyboards), Albert Rogers (bass) and Michael Bram (drums). All the members provide vocals as well. Their preview concert on March 11 at the Miller Center for the Arts is a not-to-be-missed trip back in time to the “Woodstock Sound.”

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601, USA

March 19, 2023

3:00 PM: Preview Concert: Mike Eben & Friends: Tribute to Doc Mulligan II

This special Jazz on the Avenue concert at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education will honor the legacy of Berks County’s “musical patriarch,” Robert “Doc” Mulligan, a radiologist at the Reading Hospital for many years, and better-known as a jazz trombonist and arranger.

Mulligan, who passed away in 2021, performed with and wrote and arranged music for many groups in the Berks County area, including the Reading Big Band, the Dave Stahl Big Band, and the Bobby Mercer Road Show.

In 2005, Mulligan received the inaugural Frank Scott Award from the Berks Jazz Fest. He was one of the founders of the festival’s educational program, now called getJazzed.

Mike Eben is a saxophonist and retired instrumental teacher who taught in the Muhlenberg School District. He performs and records with his band, From the Hip. He chairs the getJazzed educational component of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest and hosts two jazz camps each summer.

The band will feature Eben as band leader and saxophonist, along with saxophonist Greg Wilson, trumpeter Rob Diener, trombonist John Loos, guitarist Carl Zeplin, pianist Marty Mellinger, bassist Kevin MacConnell and drummer Dave Lazorcik.

Location: Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave, West Lawn, PA 19609

March 22, 2023

7:00 PM: Preview Night: Erich Cawalla & All-Star Quartet

The second of the two Berks Jazz Fest preview concerts being presented by The Rivet: Canteen & Assembly venue, features the music of Sinatra, Bennett, Darrin, and more!

Berks County native Erich Cawalla is a saxophonist and vocalist who performs jazz, contemporary R&B and songs from the Great American Songbook.

In 2006 he founded the Uptown Band, which performs throughout the Northeast and has recorded two acclaimed albums: “Waiting for Her” (2008) and “Heart, Soul, Body, & Mind” (2014).

Cawalla has performed with Marie Osmond, Bill Haley’s Comets, the Coasters and others. He played for the Florida Republican Inaugural Gala at Florida State University in 2000, and has performed at Berks Jazz Fest, the Bethlehem Musikfest and various venues nationally. He has recently released his second solo album, “The Great American Songbook.”

The other quartet members are pianist/composer Steve Rudolph, bassist Bennie Sims and drummer Marko Marcinko.

Steve Rudolph is a pianist based in Harrisburg, Pa., who was the house pianist for 22 years at the Hilton Harrisburg for all its jazz programming. He has performed with Clark Terry, Al Grey and many other headliners in Europe, Asia, Canada and the Caribbean. He has led many ensembles, including the River City Big Band (now the Harrisburg Jazz Collective). His latest CD is “Daydream” with his trio. He was the executive director of the Central PA Friends of Jazz from 2012 to 2019.

Bassist/producer Bennie Sims has toured the world and worked with countless A-list artists throughout his career, including Al Jarreau, Aretha Franklin, Pieces of a Dream, The Three Degrees (for whom he was the music director) and more. He performs as part of the Groovemasters with pianist Cliff Starkey and Cawalla, stars of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest annual Kickoff Luncheon at the Peanut Bar. Sims was part of the number-one jazz album by Pieces of a Dream, On Another Note (2019) and has worked on many albums with them, as a performer, writer, and producer.

Drummer Marko Marcinko, from northeastern Pennsylvania, started performing professionally at 14. He studied with drummer Joe Morello, and while studying percussion at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, he was part of the university’s top concert jazz ensemble. He has performed with Joe Henderson, Red Rodney, the late Michael Brecker, and Paquito D’Rivera, and toured with Maynard Ferguson.

For the past decade, he has recorded and toured with Dave Liebman, and also performs with his own quartet, Active Ingredients. He created the non-profit Pennsylvania Jazz Alliance and has taught as an adjunct at Penn State University, Lehigh University and East Orange Community College.

Location: Rivet: Canteen & Assembly, 238 E High St, Pottstown, PA 19464

March 24, 2023

7:00 PM: Opening Night Celebration: Brian Culbertson - The Trilogy Tour

Pianist/trombonist Brian Culbertson has appeared many times at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest over the years, often providing the grand finale to the festival. This year he is being featured as the opening night celebration in the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

Over the course of crafting a 25-album catalog and architecting nearly 40 Billboard No. 1 singles as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Brian Culbertson has charted his own unique course in music. Label him jazz and he makes a funk record. Call him an R&B artist and he drops an acoustic jazz trio collection. Brand him pop and he creates a 32-minute New Age opus. And you’d be hard pressed to name another instrumentalist of his ilk who can mount an elaborately designed concert production that will keep him on the road for three consecutive months.

Culbertson burst onto the scene in 1994 with a chart-topping album that he recorded in his college apartment featuring keyboard-led contemporary jazz tracks. “Long Night Out” landed him a lengthy record deal and signaled that a star was born.

Flash forward to present day, Culbertson composed thirty songs that populate the three albums in “The Trilogy” that describes the three-part arc of a long-term relationship: the hot and steamy “falling in love” phase, the rocky middle when perhaps they even break up for a bit, and the couple reunites to live “happily ever after” phase.  The Trilogy Tour will feature a mix of songs from The Trilogy Albums, as well as the greatest hits from Brian Culbertson’s catalog.

“Hearing the three albums in a row provides the context.  All the songs on ‘Red’ (October 2021) were clearly about passion and love.  ‘Blue’ (January 2022) is melancholy and sad songs, breakup songs and ‘losing people’ songs.  Once you get to part three, ‘White’ (May 2022) is all about songs that have an uplifting feel to them.  Stylistically, they all feel similar even though they are emotionally broad” said Culbertson.

Possessing style, panache and a savvy business mind capable of moving the needle in music and beyond, Culbertson founded and curates the annual Napa Valley and Chicago Jazz Getaways, which have attracted guests from all over the globe to experience his premier events.

Whether you’re listening to music from “The Trilogy” on record or live in concert, you’re hearing an eclectic, entertaining and engaging set from an artist at the peak of his power.

Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S 7th Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

11:30 AM: The Groovemasters

Harold B. Leifer Memorial Luncheon

Location: The Peanut Bar, 332 Penn St, Reading, PA 19602

7:00 PM: Four80East with special guests JJ Sansaverino and Art Sherrod

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

9:30 PM: Pieces of a Dream

with special guests Bobby Lyle & Carl Cox

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

9:30 PM: Al "DJ Act" Taylor

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Cheers Lounge, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

11:30 PM: Gerald Veasley Unscripted Jam #1

Late-night party jam!

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

March 25, 2023

1:00 PM: Gerald Albright plus Larry Carlton & Paul Brown

Two great concerts, one great ticket!

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

3:30 PM: Brittany Atterberry with host Al "DJ Act" Taylor

Location: Cheers - DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

4:30 PM: Oli Silk & Phillip "Doc" Martin

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

6:00 PM: The Manhattan Transfer 50th Anniversary & Final World Tour

with special guest Diva Jazz Orchestra

Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S 7th Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

6:00 PM: Jazz Funk Soul plus Raul Midon

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601

9:30 PM: Stanley Clarke N 4 Ever

Philly Native & 2022 NEA Jazz Master

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

9:30 PM: Al "DJ Act" Taylor

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Cheers Lounge, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

11:30 PM: Gerald Veasley Unscripted Jam #2

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

March 26, 2023

12:00 PM: Acoustic Alchemy with special guest Jeff Kashiwa

Sunday Jazz Brunch hosted by Michael Tozzi

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

3:00 PM: Andrew Neu Big Band with David Benoit & Aubrey Logan and introducing Ilya Serov

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601

3:00 PM: David Cullen

CD Release Concert

Location: WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N 5th St, Reading, PA 19601

6:00 PM: Chris Botti

Dynamic show with many special guests

Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S 7th Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

March 27, 2023

7:00 PM: RMF Project Penske Jazz Jam

with Artist Clinicians

Gerald Veasley, Aubrey Logan, Andrew Neu, and Albert Rivera

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

March 29, 2023

7:30 PM: KU Presents! John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell

Nat King Cole & The Ladies of Song

John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned guitarist, and singer has established himself as a prime contemporary interpreter of the Great American Songbook and beyond. With sparkling swing and a stunning vocal approach, Catherine Russell is among the greatest interpreters of American popular song.

Together, they pay homage to Nat King Cole and the legendary singers who appeared on his popular TV show. The concert includes Cole’s most memorable hits such as “Route 66,” “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Paper Moon,” along with the timeless works from Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee—the iconic Ladies of Song.

Location: Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530

March 30, 2023

7:00 PM: Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jam

Featuring special performance by Regina Belle

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

7:00 PM: U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble

Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest Favorite Returns for a Free Concert!

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601

9:30 PM: Will Prince with host Al "DJ Act" Taylor

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Cheers Lounge, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

March 31, 2023

3:00 PM: Greg Manning & Jeff Ryan

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

6:00 PM: R&R: Rick Braun & Richard Elliot with special guest Peter White

Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S 7th Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

6:00 PM: Frank Vignola's Birdland Guitar Night

Featuring Pasquale Grasso, Vinny Raniolo, Houston Person & more

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601

9:30 PM: Eric Darius & Eric Roberson with special guest Avery*Sunshine

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

April 1, 2023

1:00 PM: Celebrating the Women in Jazz: Take 2

Incredible Female Lineup Presented by Chris "Big Dog" Davis

9:30 PM: Adam Hawley's West Coast Groove

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

2:00 PM: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers: Early Show with special guest Deanna Bogart

7:00 PM: Tommy Castro & The Painkillers: Late Show with special guest Deanna Bogart

11:30 PM: Gerald Veasley Unscripted Jam #4

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Small Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

3:30 PM: Will Donato with host Al "DJ Act" Taylor

9:30 PM: Al "DJ Act" Taylor

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Cheers Lounge, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

6:00 PM: Eric Marienthal & the Jazz Cruises All-Stars

Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S 7th Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

6:00 PM: Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers

plus opening act Teen Town

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601

7:00 PM: Hot Club of Reading

Location: WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N 5th St, Reading, PA 19601

April 2, 2023

12:00 PM: Brian Simpson, Gerald Veasley, Jackiem Joyner, Jessie J, The Berks Horns

Sunday Jazz Brunch hosted by Michael Tozzi

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Reading Grand Ballroom, 701 Penn St, Reading, PA 19601

3:00 PM: Samara Joy

Location: Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N 2nd St, Reading, PA 19601

4:00 PM: Boney James

Final Concert of Berks Jazz Fest 2023Final Concert of Berks Jazz Fest 2023

Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S 7th Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

The 32nd annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest will come to a close with a performance by James, who has enjoyed a long history with the fest.

One of the shapers of the contemporary urban jazz sound, saxophonist Boney James has been delighting audiences with his mix of contemporary jazz, R&B and soul for 30 years.

Born James Oppenheim in Lowell, Maine, and raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., James moved with his family to Los Angeles at 14, and soon began touring and recording with the Isley Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, Randy Crawford, Teena Marie and others.

In 1992 he released his debut album as a leader, “Trust,” the first of 18. In 2000, he collaborated with trumpeter Rick Braun on the album “Shake It Up,” and they have appeared on each other’s albums and toured together internationally. James has received four Grammy nominations, for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2001, 2004 and 2014, and for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2009. He also received a Soul Train Award and two nominations for the NAACP Image Award for Best Jazz Album. He released his newest album, “Detour,” in 2022.

Fest Date: March 24 - April 2, 2023

Locations:
Rivet: Canteen & Assembly, 238 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
Miller Center for the Arts, 4 North Second Street, Reading, PA 19601
Yocum Institute For Arts Education, 3000 Penn Avenue, Reading, PA 19609
Scottish Rite Cathedral, 310 South Seventh Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Schaeffer Auditorium, 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
DoubleTree by Hilton - Reading, 701 Penn St., Reading, PA 19601

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