2024 marks the year I attended the 33rd Boscov’s Berks Jazz Festival again after a 5 year hiatus due to the pandemic and its restrictions. Since everything was back to normal, I wanted to come back, meet friends and artists, and – most of all – immerse myself into some great live music in a setting that is totally unique at this festival.
This year is the last one with festival manager John Ernesto at the helm, he will be replaced by a team of people splitting the various jobs John covered over more than 30 years. I wish them lots of luck and success to continue what John so lovingly has built up over all these years.
After a long journey due to a missed flight, I arrived late Thursday night at the DoubleTree hotel in Reading, where I managed to get a room for the festival. Since the hotel usually is fully booked during the festival, one has to make reservations early.
The festival was kicked off for me with the Greg Adams & East Bay Soul concert, featuring singer Terrell Edwards, guitarist Richard Smith, plus his longtime band members like Nick Milo on keys. They provided a great show with soulful R&B songs and groovy jazz-funk pieces featuring Greg Adams on flugelhorn.
In the evening at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Marcus Miller and Jonathan Butler did their show, with a great band, most notably Donald Hayes on sax and Russell Gunn on trumpet who provided many great solos. Jonathan Butler was his unadultered self, singing his heart out and playing some cool electric and acoustic guitar, while Marcus Miller provided lots of funky bass playing, plus the song “Gorée” on bass clarinet. This was a really outstanding show that provided a lot of variation and top-level musicianship.
Next were keyboardist Alex Bugnon and saxophonist Najee at the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom, they went through some of their familiar songs, most notably Alex Bugnon doing his classic “Night Groove”, I always enjoy Najee’s immaculate flute playing. Nice additions were singer Alyson Williams who sang a couple of songs, plus trumpet player Tom Browne, they brought the house down with “Funkin’ For Jamaica”.
Later that evening, Gerald Veasley’s “Unscripted Jam” had many of the attending players jam together in various combinations.
On Saturday at noon, Kirk Whalum did a truly outstanding show, featuring young guitar player Andréa Lisa who added her own spin to the show with her singing and playing, certainly an artist to watch. The band consisted of his old cohorts Marcus Finnie on drums, Braylon Lacy on bass and John Stoddart on keys. They covered a lot of ground and provided one of the best shows so far for me.
Next was guitarist Lee Ritenour, he was supposed to appear with pianist Dave Grusin who was unfortunately not able to appear due to a health issue. Nevertheless, Lee Ritenour took care of the concert, supported by bassist Tom Kennedy, keyboardist George Whitty and his son Wesley Ritenour on drums, going through several of his classic songs, even going back to his fusion heydays.
At 6pm, a show tagged “The Future Is Now” featured a bunch of younger players, although many of them were already 10 or more years on the scene, nevertheless they brought a breath of fresh air and lot of enthusiasm to the stage. We got Aubrey Logan on trombone and vocals, Oli Silk on keyboards, David P. Stevens on guitar, Kim Scott on flute, Ilya Serov on trumpet, Phil Denny on sax, Curtis McCain on percussion, Tim George on bass, Carl Anderson on drums. They had a blast and performed with aplomb and lots of fun, providing one of the better shows of the festival.
Later in the evening, Incognito with Maysa appeared, the band is constantly evolving and has served to launch the career of many artists. The singers tonight were Maysa, Deborah Bond, the awesome Zebulon Ellis, plus Rona Rawls, all singers from the east coast. Most players of the band were loyal long time members, like bassist Francis Hylton and drummer Francesco Mendolino, plus the 3-piece horn section around Sid Gauld. They went throught their many hits, including “Deep Waters” and “Nights Over Egypt”, providing a satisfying show.
Sunday morning, there was the brunch, followed by a concert by the all-female band “Jazz In Pink” led by keyboardist Gail Jhonson. Their lineup varies, as soloists especially standing out at this show were Paula Atherton on sax and flute, Brooke Alford on violin and Keyanna Hutchinson on guitar, all providing nice solos, especially Brooke Alford stood out.
At 3pm at the Miller Center for the Arts, pianist Keiko Matsui did one of her rare shows with a full orchestra, featuring the Reading Pops Orchestra conducted by Willis M. Rapp. She had her regular band, plus Andrew Neu on sax, to accompany her through a string of familiar songs like “Forever, Forever” and more. This was a truly special show.
Sunday night of the first weekend, saxophonist Kirk Whalum’s “The Gospel According To Jazz” took place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, he had his band with keyboardist John Stoddart, brother Kevin Whalum on vocals, Jonathan Butler on guitar and vocals, plus his protégée Andréa Lisa on guitar. For a couple of songs, the powerful Fresh Wind Gospel Choir was added. They concluded the show with “Love Is The Answer”, adding the huge Reading Choral Society choir to the stage, bringing the evening to a great close.
Monday and Tuesday were two evenings off for me, on Wednesday I went to the Kutztown University, where an affilated concert by saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin took place in the Schaeffer Auditorium. She was supported by a great band and went through some straight ahead numbers, still showing a broad range of moods and styles, providing an impressing concert.
Thursday night, the traditional Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jam took place. Guitarist Chuck Loeb was the one that organized the All-Star Jam for many years, since his untimely passing in 2017, bassist Gerald Veasley and trumpet player Rick Braun now are responsible for the evening. As usual, we got a huge assembly of players on stage, that played in various combinations. Players involved included Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Eric Darius, Rebecca Jade, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Nicole Henry, Jean Baylor, Marcus Baylor, Brian Bromberg, Michael Paulo, Everette Harp, Ray Fuller, Tom Zink, Tony Moore, Lin Rountree, Curtis McCain and Bobby Lyle. They went through a varied program of tunes, like Herbie Hancock’s “Butterfly” or “Summertime”, featuring the great Jean Baylor. Everybody got their chance to solo and shine, they played for well over 2 hours with a short intermission, they concluded the evening with “Cold Duck Time” and “Superstitious”, leaving a satisfied crowd.
On Friday and 3pm, a show tagged “The Cats!” took place at the DoubleTree Small Ballrom, it featured Michael Paulo, Ray Fuller, Lin Rountree, Tony Moore, Tom Zink and special guest Brian Bromberg. They were playing their asses off and had a good time, playing material from their individual catalogs.
At 6pm I went to the Miller Center for the Arts to see singer Paulette McWilliams and the Baylor Project. Paulette McWilliams opened the show with her band, featuring Nat Adderley Jr. on piano and fender rhodes. She worked most of her life with Luther Vandross, plus others like Quincy Jones. She covered a lot of ground from jazz to soul and R&B, paying tribute to those various artists she sang for, providing an entertaining show.
Next were The Baylor Project, husband and wife team of drummer Marcus Baylor and singer Jean Baylor, backed by a killer band. Their show was the highlight of the whole festival for me, Jean Baylor has an angelic voice and covered everything from introspective to straight ahead songs, with some great solos by all involved.
At 9:30pm a show tagged “Remembering Grover Washington, Jr” took place, led by Bill Jolly who was Grover’s music director for years, along with former original band members Gerald Veasley on bass and keyboardist Donald Robinson. Additional featured players were Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Kim Waters, Pablo Batista, Lil’ John Roberts, Wawa Legrand, Carol Riddick and The Berks Horns. They went through several of Grover’s songs like “Sassy Stew” and “Let It Flow”, concluding with “Mr. Magic”.
Saturday at noon, we got the double bill of the Rhythm & Groove Tour featuring Brian Simpson, Marion Meadows and Steve Oliver, followed by Eric Darius & Rebecca Jade. The first part of the show had the three artists play together in various combinations doing material from their releases, providing an entertaining show. With Eric Darius and singer Rebecca Jade, the energy level rose significantly, and the party was on, with Eric running across the stage doing his thing, supported by Rebecca Jade providing some soulful vocals.
At 6pm, I opted for the show of Tuck & Patti, the husband and wife duo still touring after being 45 years together. They did several of their classic songs, especially from their debut album, to the delight of the crowd. Tuck Andress accompanied his wife with his unique guitar technique, while Patti Cathart sang with lots of warmth. Next was child prodigy and now young man Joey Alexander on piano and keyboards, supported by some killer musicians on acoustic bass and drums. He played mostly straight ahead originals, still his cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” was the highlight of the show for me.
At 10pm, another highlight took place with Gerald Veasley Unscripted: Jammin’ For Nico featuring JJ Sansaverino, Kim Waters, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Eric Darius, Brian Simpson, Brian Bromberg, Ray Fuller, Marqueal Jordan, Tony Moore, Curtis McCain, and singers Rebecca Jade and Carol Riddick, doing a show in the spirit of the late guitarist. They did songs that inspired and influenced him, like “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” featuring the singers, or a couple of George Benson tracks, a special song was “Rainy Night In Georgia” performed by Marqueal Jordan. It was an entertaining and varied show.
Sunday at noon, after the brunch, Brian Bromberg & Friends featuring Everette Harp, Michael Paulo, Lin Rountree, Ray Fuller, Tony Moore, Tom Zink, plus six piece The Berks Horns performed. Brian Bromberg went through a program of his own material, playing regular and piccolo bass, showing his tremendous skills and entertaining the crowd, supported by his awesome friends.
At 4pm at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Brian Culbertson concluded the festival in front of a packed house, the concert was sold out. He has a great band, currently featuring saxophonist Keith Andrews next to trumpet player Patches Stewart, gong through his many hits to the delight of the crowd. The show was very entertaining, visually and musically. On a side note, the show had to be interrupted due to a fire alarm, which turned out the be false. After the fire department gave their ok, everybody returned and the show continued, soon everything was back up to speed again, they concluded with “Play That Funky Music” with lots of people dancing in front of the stage.
This year’s Berks Jazz Festival was another great year of music and meeting friends, so I will be back again, to see how the new people in charge will do and have some fun.