About

Info

The annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is presented by Berks Arts, a nonprofit organization based in the City of Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The festival is led by a small staff along with a volunteer team numbering 300+, and is supported by the hotel and business community through sponsorship support.

Celebrating 34 years in 2025, 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.

In addition to the Major Concert Schedule, dozens of free live-music events featuring local musicians comprise the Local Event Schedule in area clubs and restaurants throughout the festival. The festival combines touring artists with unique collaborative performances while providing performance opportunities for world-renowned musicians and emerging artists alike. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of genres including Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, Soul, Bluegrass, and more.

Berks Jazz Fest proudly hosts The Art of Jazz, a juried art exhibit featuring works by local artists. Additionally, the getJazzed educational program provides opportunities for students of all backgrounds to learn, perform, enjoy, and become inspired by professional musicians as a centerpiece of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, paying it forward to future generations.

About Berks Arts

The mission of Berks Arts is to Inspire, Engage, and Unite our community through arts education, collaboration and presentation. Today, in everything Berks Arts does and supports, the organization seeks to make Berks County a more creative, desirable, resilient community.

SUPPORT Berks Arts

Join thousands of Berks Jazz Fest fans by supporting Berks Arts with a tax-deductible donation. Not only are you helping to secure a vibrant future for Berks Arts and the Berks Jazz Fest, but you’ll enjoy benefits as well!

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 101

WHEN

10-Day Annual Festival in late March / early April. Future dates:

April 4 - April 13, 2025

WHERE

Major Concert Venues: Scottish Rite Cathedral | Miller Center For The Arts | DoubleTree Grand Ballroom | DoubleTree Small Ballroom

WHAT

Jazz fans from around the world return to Greater Reading every year for 10 music-packed days and unique concert experiences.

WHO

The festival features 100+ local, regional, and national artists in 40+ major concerts and 80+ local concerts.

TICKETS

Arts Advocates supporters at the $75+ level have access to the 2024 pre-sale beginning Saturday, December 2 at 9:00 am at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading and at 12:00 noon online.

Additionally, Arts Enthusiast supporters at the $250+ level will pay NO PROCESSING FEES on 2024 Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest tickets.

***This is the same day as the Berks Jazz Fest Holiday Concert at the Miller Center for the Arts in Reading, PA.***

2024 tickets go on sale to the General Public on Saturday, December 9 at 10:00 am. Online only.

ADA FANS WITH DISABILITIES

Berks Jazz Fest major venues are ADA accessible. Please contact Local Event Partners with questions regarding ADA accessibility.

2024 Leadership

Executive Leadership

Justin Heimbecker, Executive Director
John Ernesto, Artistic Director
Tish Davis, Event Operations Director
Amanda Ehst, Community Programs & Office Manager

Artist Services

Stage Managers
Brett Buckwalter, Matthew Cullen, David Kurzweg, Nelson Ojea, Mark Rentschler, Art Stricek

Transportation
Kevin White, Transportation Manager

Rooming
Paul Smith, Rooming Coordinator

Hospitality
Marvanne Kouvaros, Hospitality Manager

PATRON Services

Volunteer Coordinators
Robin Myers-Ojea, Cindy Wlazelek

House Captains
Mark Dolinski, Ray Hefner, Larry Kirk, David Pepper, Keith Simon, Doug Tothero

Merchandise Managers
Ginny Swarmer, Neal Swarmer, Darren Delaney

Ticketing
Megan Schappell, Box Office Coordinator

Safety Coordinator
Greg Kokolus

Volunteer Orientation Coordinator
Brian Wlazelek

GETJAZZED EDUCATION

Mike Eben, Program Chair
Scott Litzenberg, Educational Events Coordinator