Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women
performing at Jazz Base on Oct. 9
   
l Show time: 7:00 p.m.
l Tickets: $23 in advance or at door
l Click here to order online

    Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women, touring in support of the career-spanning CD -- "Deluxe Edition" -- will perform at Gerald Veasley's Jazz Band at the Sheraton Reading Hotel on Thursday, October 9, starting at 7 p.m.
    With the release of their self-titled Alligator debut album back in 1990, Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women burst on the blues scene at a time when male-dominated, electric guitar-fueled bands ruled the roost. With their infectious acoustic blues, Saffire re-established and updated the long tradition of uppity women blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie.
    Mixing first-rate musicianship with equal parts of sass, soul and humor, Saffire unleashed unforgettable originals-composed with humor and poignancy-alongside definitive versions of classic blues songs.
    Living Blues raved: "Saffire effectively bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary blues with grit, unpredictability and authority."
    Thanks to the undeniable talents, sassy attitudes and constant touring of pianist, guitarist, vocalist Ann Rabson, guitarist, harmonicist, vocalist Gaye Adegbalola, and multi-instrumentalist, vocalist Andra Faye, Saffire have continued to spread their message wide and far.
    Over the course of six outstanding studio albums and one foot-stomping live release, Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women have earned legions of fans of all ages and genders all across the country and around the world.
    It's been over 20 years since Ann Rabson joined forces with her guitar student, Gaye Adegbalola (a former award-winning 8th grade science teacher) and they set course for a full-time music career.
    After gigging around their hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia, they quickly developed a substantial regional following.
    "Deluxe Edition" will delight old fans and invite a host of new fans into the world of Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women.
    "These three middle-aged women look more like fugitives from a Tupperware party than a typical blues band," The Chicago Tribune reported after a characteristically buoyant Saffire gig. "But appearances can be deceiving, as these musicians demonstrated by tearing up the stage with their high-powered, take-no-prisoners approach."
     With "Deluxe Edition," Saffire's soulful, uplifting music will make certain their message continues to be heard loud and clear.

How To Get Tickets
    CD Exchange, located in Mohnton (PA), is the official box office for Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base. To get your tickets, you can:
   1: Call CD Exchange at 610-777-2310 to order by phone.
   2: Stop by the CD Exchange, 360 E. Wyomissing Avenue, Mohnton, Pa., during regular business hours Tuesday through Saturday.
   3: Tickets will be available Thursday night at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Sheraton Reading Hotel.
   4: Order online: CLICK HERE to order online.

Andy Fusco
Mark Soskin
Baron Browne
Steve Smith
Walt Weiskoph

Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy ensemble set
for Jazz Base show on Thursday, Oct. 16

l Show time: 7:00 p.m.
l Tickets: $23 in advance or at door
l Click here to order online

    Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy is back at the Jazz Base for what promises to be another memorable night of music.
    Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy plays music that is dedicated to honoring the legacy of many of the great jazz drummers such as Art Blakey, "Philly" Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams.
    Jazz Legacy also performs original compositions and arrangements written by the individual band members which gives the band a unique direction.
    This powerhouse, swinging jazz quintet is made up of five seasoned musicians -- Andy Fusco (alto sax), Walt Weiskopf (tenor and soprano saxes), Mark Soskin (piano), Baron Browne (bass) and bandleader Steve Smith (drums).
    Steve Smith’s resume includes Journey, Steps Ahead, Randy Brecker, Ahmad Jamal, and more than 30 recordings as a leader and co-leader, including 12 with his fusion group Steve Smith and Vital Information.
    Steve Smith has been voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame as well being named one of the Top 25 Drummers of All-Time in a Modern Drummer reader’s poll.
    Pianist Mark Soskin, a prolific writer and arranger, has been adding exciting original compositions and arrangements to the book allowing the band to develop its own voice. Mark is a recording artist, bandleader, and a longtime sideman for many renowned jazz artists including Sonny Rollins, Billy Cobham and Herbie Mann.
    Tenor and soprano saxophonist Walt Weiskopf is another strong composer and arranger who has added great charts to the band’s repertoire. Walt is also a bandleader and recording artist. His credits include touring and recording with Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Buddy Rich Big Band, and Steely Dan.
    Andy Fusco was the lead alto saxophonist of the Buddy Rich Big Band from 1978-1983. He has toured with a number of legendary performers including Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, and Frank Sinatra.
    Bassist Baron Browne, one of most versatile and talented bass players on the scene, has toured and recorded with Gary Burton, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steps Ahead, and Tom Jones. Baron is also the bass player in Steve Smith’s jazz/fusion group Steve Smith and Vital Information.

How To Get Tickets
    CD Exchange, located in Mohnton (PA), is the official box office for Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base. To get your tickets, you can:
   1: Call CD Exchange at 610-777-2310 to order by phone.
   2: Stop by the CD Exchange, 360 E. Wyomissing Avenue, Mohnton, Pa., during regular business hours Tuesday through Saturday.
   3: Tickets will be available Thursday night at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Sheraton Reading Hotel.
   4: Order online: CLICK HERE to order online.

Beatles tribute opens Pops Sunday series
      Imagine The Beatles playing in concert with an orchestra.
     What would that have sounded like?
     You can find out for yourself when "Classical Mystery Tour: A Beatles Tribute," featuring original members of the Broadway sensation "BEATLEMANIA," performs live with the Reading Pops Orchestra on Sunday, October 26.
     The Reading Pops and Classical Mystery Tour will present two shows -- 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. -- when it kicks off the second season of the "Sunday with the Pops" series. Tickets are $40.
     Once again, the three-concert series, sponsored by VIST Financial Group, will be held at the Miller Center for the Arts located on the Reading Area Community College Campus.
     In addition to the Beatles tribute, the Reading Pops will team up with jazz piano icon David Benoit, right photo,  to present "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on Sunday, December 14, 3 p.m.; and the New York Voices to present a concert titled "Baby Boomer," on Sunday, March 8, 3:00 p.m.
     Season ticket packages and single concert tickets are on sale NOW!
      For complete information, go to www.readingpops.com
     The Classical Mystery Tour has performed with major orchestras throughout the country.
The Fab Four musicians in Classical Mystery Tour look and sound just like The Beatles.
     The show presents classic Beatles tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written.
     From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of The Beatles like you've never heard them -- totally live.
    
A Charlie Brown Christmas
with the David Benoit Quartet
Sunday, December 14, 2008, 3 p.m. / $40
     David Benoit is no stranger to Berks music fans.
The legendary jazz pianist has performed several times at the Berks Jazz Fest, including a performance with Ramsey Lewis and the Reading Pops Orchestra in 2006.
     Benoit, his band, and the Reading Pops will bring life to Vince Guaraldi’s magical music from the Peanuts Christmas specials.
     “Christmastime Is Here,” “Linus & Lucy’s Theme,” and other favorites will sparkle under David’s masterful touch.
     An accomplished musician, arranger, composer, conductor, and five-time Grammy Award nominee, David Benoit’s career successfully spans both jazz and classical worlds.
     Benoit's latest CD project "Heroes" pays homage to some of his favorite recording artists that have had a distinct influence on his creativity throughout the years -- Dave Grusin, Elton John, The Doors, Horace Silver, Miles Davis, The Beatles and Dave Brubeck.
     This heart-warming concert featuring Benoit and the Pops also will feature young voices of a local children's choir, which is sure to get you in the holiday spirit and bring out the 'kid' in all of us.

Baby Boomer!
New York Voices
Sunday, March 8, 2009, 3 p.m. / $40
    The New York Voices is the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing.
    Darmon Meador, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian and Lauren Kinhan have learned from the best and have taken the art form to new levels.
    Their interests are rooted in jazz, but often Brazilian, R&B, classical, and pop influences are included with equal creativity and authenticity.
    For this special concert, the New York Voices and the Reading Pops will showcase classic music that all "Baby Boomers" will recognize -- Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone," Mamas & Papas' "California Dreamin'/Monday, Monday," Joni Mitchell's "Free Man in Paris," Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry," Paul Simon's "Mother & Child Reunion," and Earth, Wind & Fire's "That's The Way of the World," and many others.
    The New York Voices with the Pops makes this VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest preview concert the perfect finale for the series.

How To Get Tickets
    CD Exchange, located in Mohnton (PA), is the official box office for Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base. To get your tickets, you can:
   1: Call CD Exchange at 610-777-2310 to order by phone.
   2: Stop by the CD Exchange, 360 E. Wyomissing Avenue, Mohnton, Pa., during regular business hours Tuesday through Saturday.
   3: Tickets will be available Thursday night at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Sheraton Reading Hotel.
   4: Order online: CLICK HERE to order online.