The 29th Annual Berks Jazz Festival will once again set it off in 2019. The festival is an annual event produced by the Berks Arts Council. The group creates and supports various art events, community collaborations and grants in the Reading, PA area.
Their mission is to cultivate, promote, and support the arts in our community through collaboration, education, and presentation.
We are all about supporting the arts, as this introduces the medium to the young people.
This year the event will take place April 5th-14th, and even though it is billed as a music festival, it really is a series of music events. Each day there will be multiple performances that will take place at several different venues.
It features some of the top artists and there will be some special tributes that will be very entertaining!
Check out some of the artist performances:
- Brian Culbertson
- Jeffrey Osborne
- Keiko Matsui
- Walter Trout
- Brian Simpson
- The Sax Pack
- West Coast Jam
- Kayla Waters
There will be several musical tributes featuring many of your favorite artists.
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool Tribute
Featuring Mike Eben, Chris Heslop, Ken Kemmerer, Dave Lazorcik, Bob Meashey, Steve Meashey, Marty Mellinger, Albert Rivera, Bill Smith, Al Stokes
I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone
Featuring Carol Riddick and Gerald Veasley
Art Sherrod & The ASJ Orchestra’s Motown Soul Revue and Aretha Franklin Tribute
Featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Elan Trotman, Paul Brown, Kevin Whalum, Tracy Hamlin, Jeff Bradshaw, David P Stevens, Benjie Porecki
Chuck Loeb Memorial All Star Jam
Featuring Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg, Randy Brecker, Nick Colionne, Peter White, Ray Fuller, Richard Elliot, Kim Waters, Art Sherrod, Andy Snitzer, Everette Harp, Althea Rene, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Tom Zink, Jason Miles, Tony Moore, Chris Walker, Phil Perry
Were In This Love Together – A Tribute to Al Jarreau
Featuring Chris Walker, Regina Belle, Rick Braun, Eric Marienthal
Remembering Grover at 75!
Featuring Gerald Albright, Everette Harp, Kirk Whalum, Andy Snitzer
There will also be some stellar group and ensemble performances!
Sweet Sexy Soul
Howard Hewett, Will Downing, Avery*Sunshine
The Soul of Jazz
Eric Roberson, Nick Colionne, Brian Simpson, Alex Bugnon, Eric Darius
Gerald Veasley’s Midnight Jam
Featuring Nick Colionne, Brian Bromberg, Joe McBride, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Jackiem Joyner, Albert Rivera, Jay Rowe, Donald Robinson, Richard Waller, JJ Sansaverino, Carl Anderson, Kevin Whalum and more
Chris “Big Dog” Davis and friends
Featuring Phil Perry, Nick Colionne, Maysa, Kim Waters, Art Sherrod, Althea Rene
Kirk Whalum’s Gospal According To Jazz Celebration
Take 6, Kevin Whalum, John Stoddart, Doxa Gospel Ensemble
These are all individual performances, so you can pick and choose the shows that you want to see. Click the link below to visit the festival’s main site. In addition to tickets, you can get information on the partner hotels.
