32nd Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Lineup Announcement

It’s time to make your plans for the 32nd annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, scheduled for Friday, March 24 through Sunday, April 2, 2023.

The festival’s spectacular lineup of some of the most acclaimed artists in every form of jazz is expected to draw fans from all over the country who gather each year for this celebration.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. — just in time for holiday giving for the jazz fans on your list. And once you decide which concerts you want to attend, you’ll have something to look forward to all winter.

Berks Arts is proud to call your attention to its newly redesigned, easy-to-navigate Berks Jazz Fest website (www.berksjazzfest.com), where you can view the schedule along with artist bios, news and other information, including how to purchase tickets through the festival’s own system.

“The goal each year is to program and present artists who represent the diversity of musical styles that make up the jazz genre,” said John Ernesto, Berks Jazz Fest artistic director. “This lineup will provide fans the opportunity to experience and enjoy traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, fusion jazz, big band, blues, R&B and more.

“We are looking forward to an amazing 10 days of music.”

The traditional Harold B. Leifer Memorial Luncheon, featuring Berks County’s own Groovemasters, is always a fun way to start the festivities on Friday, March 24 at 11:30 a.m.

That night, the festival will officially open with a concert by audience favorite Brian Culbertson, returning with his band to the Scottish Rite Cathedral at 7 p.m. Also on the schedule for that evening is the band Four80East with special guests JJ Sansaverino and Art Sherrod, Pieces of a Dream with Bobby Lyle and Carl Cox, and Gerald Veasley’s Unscripted Jam (the first of four), all at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading.

And that’s only the first night! The rest of the 10 days will be packed with so many choices that it may take some time to map out your pathway through the festival. And don’t forget, there are many non-ticketed concerts at venues throughout the county. The Local Events schedule will be announced in mid-January.

Two of the special events that allow audiences to experience many artists at once will be the annual Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jam (featuring a special performance by iconic R&B vocalist Regina Belle) on Thursday, March 30, and the second edition of Chris “Big Dog” Davis’s “Celebrating the Women in Jazz” (also featuring Belle) on Saturday, April 1. Last year’s showcase was spectacular enough for an encore, with a new lineup of talented instrumentalists and vocalists.

The Manhattan Transfer’s 50th Anniversary and Final World Tour, along with the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, will give fans one more chance to hear this legendary vocal quartet on March 25 at the Scottish Rite. They have been nominated for a Grammy this year for their new album, “FIFTY.”

Later Saturday evening you can catch the celebrated bassist, Stanley Clarke, with his band N 4 Ever at the DoubleTree.

That day will also feature performances by Gerald Albright (recently nominated for a Grammy Award) in a co-bill with Larry Carlton & Paul Brown; and JAZZ FUNK SOUL (Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber and Paul Jackson Jr.) in a co-bill with Raul Midon at the Miller Center.

Sunday will begin with a jazz brunch with Acoustic Alchemy and Jeff Kashiwa; that afternoon the Andrew Neu Big Band will perform with pianist David Benoit, the formidable vocalist/trombonist Aubrey Logan (who often performs with Postmodern Jukebox) and the up-and-coming vocalist/trumpeter/guitarist Ilya Serov.

Sunday will culminate with the fabulous trumpeter Chris Botti at the Scottish Rite.

The festival’s second weekend will offer several surprises:

Frank Vignola’s Birdland Guitar Night featuring guitarists Pasquale Grasso, Vinny Raniolo, sax legend Houston Person bassist Gary Mazzapropi and drummer Vince Cherico -- plus opening act guitarist Brian Betz & saxophonist Denis DiBlasio at the Miller Center Friday night.

BMA Entertainer of the Year Tommy Castro & The Painkillers with special guest Deanna Bogart will perform two concerts on Saturday at the DoubleTree.

On Sunday at the Miller Center, the amazing young vocalist Samara Joy, who has been nominated for two Grammy awards (Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album) for her new release, “Linger Awhile” will make her fest debut.

Other notable headliners include John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell in “Nat King Cole & the Ladies of Song” at Kutztown University (KU Presents!).

RnR: Rick Braun and Richard Elliot with special guest Peter White at the Scottish Rite.

Eric Darius and Eric Roberson with special guest Avery * Sunshine, making her fest debut at the DoubleTree.

Eric Marienthal & The Jazz Cruises All-Stars featuring Keiko Matsui, Peter White, Mindi Abair, Larry Braggs, Randy Brecker, Vincent Ingala and The Berks Horns at the Scottish Rite.

The U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue with Randy Brecker and Eric Marienthal at the Miller Center.

Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers with opening act Teen Town at the Miller Center.

Adam Hawley’s West Coast Groove featuring Marcus Anderson, Rebecca Jade, Greg Manning, Darryl Williams, Tony Moore, Curtis McCain at the DoubleTree.

The fest finale with Boney James at the Scottish Rite.

“This year’s festival features an exciting combination of familiar faces and new performers,” said Justin Heimbecker, Berks Arts executive director. “There is certainly something for everyone at Berks each year, and 2023 will be no exception!”

Also, part of the festival this year will be the brand-new GetJazzed@Berks Scholastic Festival on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 28 and 29. This event will give young performers another opportunity to enhance their jazz skills; the annual RMF Project Penske Jazz Jam will be held Monday, March 27, with artist clinicians Gerald Veasley, Aubrey Logan, Andrew Neu and Albert Rivera.

 
For those who just can’t wait until March 24 to hear live jazz, there are four preview concerts on the current schedule:

The Last Big Band on March 8 and Erich Cawalla & All-Star Quartet on March 22 will perform at Rivet: Canteen and Assembly in Pottstown, a new venue for the fest.

The Weight Band will perform the music of The Band on March 11 at the Miller Center.

Mike Eben & Friends: Tribute to Doc Mulligan II will perform on March 19 at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education in West Lawn.