Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest Backstage Pass

Peter White is a perennial favorite at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. His Christmas Show has become a tradition for many and whets the audience appetite for more Peter White music during the annual Berks Jazz Fest. Peter says the first music he ever played at the ripe old age of 7 was Christmas music on the piano. His Dad taught him how to play and introduced him to Christmas favorites. Growing up in England in the 60’s it was the Beatles that started him on his guitar journey. A journey that led him to Abbey Road Studio at the age of 20 to record ‘The Year Of The Cat’ with Rod Stewart. That was followed by a tour that brought him to America at age 21 performing with Rod Stewart at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Listening to another English Band, ‘Acoustic Alchemy’, he was inspired to continue writing his own music and pursue a solo career. Peter talks about the power and challenge of collaborative work with other artists and the gratitude he feels when audience members share their own stories of the impact of hearing his music. For Peter playing and writing music is all about listening!

Carl Zeplin is a Kutztown Area High School Music Teacher and Chris Gallagher is a member of the Berks County All Star Jazz Band and will be performing at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Chris was one of Carl’s students when he was in middle school. Chris says he learned determination and how to ‘keep moving forward’ from Mr Zeplin. Carl’s favorite age group is the middle school students. He says they don’t put up barriers and are willing to take risks. Both talk about the benefits and opportunities that jazz music has provided in their lives. Tune in and find out how jazz influenced their life path.

An important component of school music programs is the opportunity to introduce students to all types of music including jazz. They are the future consumers of music and will keep it alive! A great interview and a great addition to Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest!

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest does not start until the Groovemasters take the stage at The Peanut Bar. This marks the 27th year you will find Bennie Sims at the helm of The Groovemasters. Bennie Sims is a self taught musician who couldn’t read music, but he could hear and ‘feel’ the music. He picked up a guitar and his career was launched! Bennie takes a stroll down memory lane with us sharing stories about the evolution of his career, his mentor, and lots of musicians he has worked with and continues to make music with today. In addition to performing internationally Bennie is a sought-after producer who is also writing his own music and performing. There is a new song in the works right now!

Bennie is currently producing Erich Cawalla’s first solo album, “The Great American Songbook” and will also be part of Erich’s quartet on stage with The Reading Pops. Bennie says “It’s breathtaking to be part of the music on stage with an orchestra”. Bennie talks about ‘feeling’ the music in whatever setting he finds himself: as a writer, producer, or part of a quartet or a large orchestra.

The Groovemasters only play about 3 or 4 times a year these days. So it’s pretty special when they re-group for the start of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. That’s when these old friends get together and exhale and enjoy some time on the playground. Bennie says it’s like ‘home’. Enjoy this conversation and make your plans now to come home with Bennie Sims at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest.

Education is a key component and part of the mission of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Raeann Rowlin is a Commercial Music Major and Grant Fickes is a Mathematics Major at Kutztown University. Both will be performing with the KU Jazz Ensemble at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest at The GoggleWorks. Raeann plays trumpet and has always played jazz music. Grant started playing traditional classical music on the alto sax. Both students were introduced to music in the Fourth Grade. These students personify the impact of the ‘Music In The Schools’ Program. Raeann and Grant have a great deal of passion for Music and Jazz in particular. They discuss their mentors, and talk about what jazz music means to them and how it impacts their life. Look out music fans, here they come!

Levi Landis, Executive Director of The GoggleWorks Center For The Arts has long staged the Juried Art Exhibit in the Schmidt Gallery on the Second Floor. That’s the visual arts component of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. This year The GoggleWorks will showcase the performing arts as well. Levi always asks, “How can we be a resource for the local community. The GoggleWorks is a beautiful space to see events, go to weddings. Now we will bring the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest to our stage.”

Levi brings his experience working with music festivals to the mix. He says, “Any time anyone thinks about the arts in the community The GoggleWorks wants to be part of the conversation. And now part of the music!” If you’ve never stopped in to The GoggleWorks, here’s another reason to visit … The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest will stage the KU Jazz Ensemble in The GoggleWorks Boscov’s Film Theatre. The performance will start with a student group followed by a faculty group from Kutztown University. It is an intersection of education, arts and music at The GoggleWorks in Downtown Reading.

Marvanne Kouvaros wants “everyone to have a smile on their face and a tummy that is full”! When you go backstage at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest you are bound to find Marvanne Kouvaros. She was a school teacher and working with RHS Marching Band when she was first invited to volunteer with Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest to help move equipment. She wasn’t sure she could do it but was told, “Sure you can! You’re a teacher who works with children. Children need to be corralled and so do musicians at times!”

That was over 20 years ago. Today Marvanne Kouvaros is the Head of Hospitality and works closely with Gary Spencer and the production team making sure every venue is staffed and stocked with the proper necessities for each of the musicians.

While food is her main concern she has been known to go above and beyond that job description. If an artist needs something and she can make it happen she does. Marvanne Kouvaros recalls making special elixirs and even taking musicians on shopping sprees. At Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, everyone really is one big happy family!

Lots of ‘Firsts’ in this #BackstagePass for the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Cammie Harris, Executive Director of the Women’s Club of Reading Center for the Arts, makes a connection with Josh Taylor, guitarist with The Hot Club Of Reading, to stage a gypsy jazz event at the WCR Center for the Arts. The character and history of the building meshes with the passion and history of gypsy jazz kept alive by the Hot Club Of Reading. Josh Taylor talks about the impact of this music in particular the way Josiah Taylor, his son, has caught the jazz bug and the ripe old age of 16! Cammie is equally passionate about preserving and promoting the WCR Center for the Arts as an intimate venue to celebrate the music in Berks County. Find out what drives their passion in this #BackstagePass.

Erich Cawalla and Will Rapp discuss how music charted the course of their lives and careers. They discuss their musical journey, mentors and legacy and the ways jazz music influences their performances. Lots of insight is shared in this Backstage Pass. Check it out and save the date … April 8. That’s when Erich Cawalla and his quartet partner with Will Rapp and The Reading Pops for a special Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest performance called ‘Jazzin’ Up The Pops’.

Meet the ‘VOICE’ of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest – Michael Tozzi! He shares his jazz journey and talks about how it morphed along with the evolution of commercial radio. Michael is a versatile entrepreneur with many talents that have opened doors along the way. Michael talks about his mentors, his own jazz legacy and some favorite moments from past Berks Jazz Fest events. Enjoy the first story in this Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Backstage Pass Series made possible by the Berks Arts Council.

Three talented musicians that got together Because of The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest a performer was looking for a horn section to back him up while in Reading. Mike Anderson said OK and then recruited more players. This first show was so successful word spread and the Berks Horns was born. Musicians know when they come to Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest there is a talented trio (more if necessary) to back them up. Yet another bonus of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest All three of these guys started playing an instrument in fourth grade and they talk about how that led them each on a diverse musical journey filled with opportunity Tune in and hear about the side Opportunity for musicians appearing at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Opportunity for these guys to add to their resume… The collective talent is remarkable, sometimes they get the music beforehand and other it all changes on the spot! Discipline, adaptability, improvising… It’s one big package and now you know the story behind the Berks Horns, go check them out on stage.

Meet Dave Clews owner of 12 Volt Dave’s Audio in Pottsville is an audio purist who happens to love Jazz music. Dave heard about this jazz concert at Bldg 24 and decided to check it out. It was a chance meeting with John Ernesto at that concert that started the ball rolling. The Bldg 24 experience made a fan out of Dave Clews. His wheels started spinning. He thought, “Wow only ½ hour away, small venue, great music… Hmmm how can we get this up in Pottsville”? He used his own background staging events in the community and Had a contest in Schuylkill County want to expose Schuylkill county to jazz and the blues. He shares the story of a renovated ski lodge and how The Lodge At Sharp Mountain came to be the place for the first show. This year ‘Greg Hatza and the ORGANization’ will share a taste of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest in Schuylkill County. Learn more about the stories of Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest

Keiko Matsui talks about her deep connection to her fans and understanding how music connects us spiritually.

Keiko Matsui is delightful, humble, playful and spiritual. It all comes through in her music! She recalls her childhood and says her first love was sports, gymnastics and soccer. She says she was very competitive. Keiko’s Mom is a traditional Japanese dance teacher but Keiko showed no interest in dance so her Mom sent her off to piano lessons. Thank You Mom !

Keiko started playing piano at 5 years old. She shares the story of competing as a piano student and thinking that after the competition she would quit and write instead. But she says after that competition she somehow started to receive the melodies instead of writing. 17 albums later she still receives the music. “I stop everything on tour and lock myself in a room and instead of writing I wait for the music to come to me …. And it does”.

She draws inspiration from everyday life, her thoughts about life and where we came from and from nature. Her ‘Journey to the Heart’ and ‘Soul Quest’ albums are indicative of a personal search. Her music reflects that, her creation of music is very spiritual. She attributes much of her success to her fans. She says, “My music is a journey to my fan’s heart --- because of you I can come this far”.

Jeff Duperon is your Jazz Host Saturday and Sunday evenings on WRTI. He is drawn to public radio because of the community aspect, That connection to the community is important to Jeff Duperon and to WRTI. He says that is why WRTI has been connected with the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest since it began. The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is strongly connected to the community too. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

Jeff will be in Reading again this year hosting his show live on WRTI from Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. He enjoys interviewing performers and sharing the Fest with listeners through his eyes.

Jeff is passionate about bringing a younger audience into the Jazz scene. He notes that “Jazz is the only original artform created in the United States … a heritage going on for over 100 years”. He gets excited as he talks about preserving, presenting and promoting this great American artform.

He’s also excited about the new feature at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest this year, the mini replica of South Jazz Parlor in the DoubleTree Hotel on Penn Street. There will be 13 concerts featured there showcasing all different styles of Jazz music.

Craig Poole General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading in Downtown. The DoubleTree is the main venue this year hosting 26 events. Craig talks about The South Jazz Parlor at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. It will be a full time club that is open the entire length of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest this year.

Craig talks about the pre-planning that took place when building the hotel. The appropriate accommodations for staging the Berks Jazz Fest were put in place as the architectural plans were drawn up. Craig was able to draw from his prior experience owning and operating one of the top jazz clubs in Pittsburgh.

All of this was put into place due to the economic impact on Reading and Berks County. Craig says, “The Fest puts Reading and Berks County on the map. As a result we have new year-round visitors!

Mike Eben has spent over 3 decades teaching music and playing music. It all started in the High School Jazz Band with Hank Hoffman playing Count Basie’s music. That sort of exposure is what can ignite the musical passion and set a career trajectory in music. Mike says you first need to know what it is you want to get into – performing, teaching, or the music business.

Mike says it was Doc Mulligan that nudged him to begin arranging and writing music Mike’s group ‘From The Hip’ will be transformed from a 6 piece to a nine piece band, a sort of small Big Band for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Performances this year. You will hear musical arrangements by Mike Eben and his original Jazz Music as well.

A big joy is to have a former student, Greg Wilson, join the band with his saxophone. Mike says Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest brings a world of opportunity when world-class musicians converge on Berks County for 10 days. Educational events are built around the Fest as well which provide students the opportunity to rub elbows with professional musicians and learn from them and play with them. That is an invaluable opportunity

Rick Fehling has been to the Peter White Christmas for the last 12 to 15 years. He is a perennial audience member. Rick developed appreciation for music from his Mom, a music teacher in the Governor Mifflin School District and was introduced to the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrone in college.

Rick says, “Don’t worry About it Being Jazz it’s Just Good Music!” He didn’t recognize artist names the first few years but went to shows anyway and was awestruck listening to Rick Braun and Brian Colbertson. It’s the music and the ever expanding genres that keep him coming back to Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest year after year. Come out and see what it’s all about!

Rick Braun is a musician, producer, singer and songwriter all wrapped up in one! He takes some time between the Peter White Christmas Shows at the Miller Center in Reading to talk with Jo Painter about ‘coming home’ to perform at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. While Rick moved to the West Coast he still calls this area ‘home’ and always finds family members in the audience.

Rick talks about how Chet Baker has inspired him and shares his other influences as well. While the trumpet has always been his musical voice, he is also using his voice as his musical instrument. Rick shares some practicing secrets for both voice and trumpet and shares some other interesting tales as well. You’ll enjoy his conversation.

Dave Cullen, Berks County’s resident Grammy Award Winner, shares a great story of his experience with another Grammy Award Winner from Berks County, Taylor Swift! Dave says her personality is real and down to earth, much like the personalities of the jazz musicians that are in town for the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest.

Dave Cullen is one of the original Groovemasters and will be performing with them at the Inn At Reading on opening night. Dave feels it is important to give back and so he teaches guitar to music business students At Millersville University, to music education majors at West Chester University, and to music therapy majors at Elizabethtown University.

Dave Cullen’s plays a wide variety of genres and he has a special Gospel Mass performance scheduled during this year’s Berks Jazz Fest. Dave shares some behind the scenes stories of the music business and offers a piece of advice for his music students.

The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest officially begins at the Peanut Bar . The kick off of the vent always happens at Noon on Friday at The Peanut Bar. Michael Leifer, owner of The Peanut Bar says 26 years ago they were very excited about the event coming to town with Frankie Scott being the opening act because they have always been passionate about making things happen in Downtown Reading.

This event has grown tremendously over the years but the opening tradition remains the same and the excitement for this event has not waned. If you want a seat at the kick off you need to make your reservation in January!

This tradition has been renamed and is now the Harold Leifer Memorial Jazz Fest Kickoff Lunch. Michael Leifer is excited and honored to have the kick off named for his Dad, Harold, because he was always very positive about the possibilities of Downtown Reading. Due to demand for this event the Groovemasters will not only open the fest at the Peanut Bar they will be back at the end of the week for a second Peanut Bar Show. Listen as Michael shares some of the stories of this event over the years.

Did you see the schedule for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest? There are about 175 artists coming to town this year. That doesn’t include the bandmates. It takes about a dozen volunteers and three 15-seat passenger vans to get all the artists to the right place at the right time. By the end of the fest, about 10,000 miles will have been racked up on the vehicles and everyone will have made it where they needed to be safe and sound.

You can imagine the stories that are shared in the car on the way to the show. Chuck shares the story of how his journey began. Oddly enough it has something to do with The Grateful Dead! The transportation crew is like a team of ninjas. You never see them but they make sure you see the artists at the right place and time. Find out what Bruce Hornsby, The Grateful Dead and the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest have in common. It may just be the reason Chuck has been on the transportation team all these year and now devotes his time to coordinating all the trips.

Cliff Starkey is one of the original players with the ‘Groovemasters’. He talks about his great passion for music and how he learned to play the piano. Cliff gets great joy giving back – sharing his bag of tricks with people who can read music. Cliff is from the school of performance learning by osmosis.

Cliff says on his father’s side of the family everyone had a talent, music, singing and art. Cliff started out as an artist. He remembers his uncle fondly recalling the way he could ‘walk a baseline’. He watched his uncle saying his name, ‘Cliff’ and playing cool jazz chords.

Cliff Starkey never owned a piano growing up. He would keep it in his head till he could get to a piano, figure it out and make it his own. Anything he heard, he kept in his head. After school he would stay late, sitting at the piano till he could figure out how to play the music that was in his head.

Cliff Starkey says Bennie Simms is like a big brother to him. Bennie took him under his wing and Cliff shares the rest of the story of how that unfolded into Cliff’s opportunity to play with ‘The Three Degrees’ and then end up on the ‘Emeril Lagasse’ show.

Cliff Starkey says “it’s all about the music”. His interest in music gave him something. Something big! Now he shares it with us.

You know Craig Poole runs the Doubletree by Hilton in downtown Reading, but did you know he also owned one of top 100 jazz clubs in the world? James Street Jazz Club in Pittsburgh was Craig’s home for 16 years. Craig recalls those memories and likens the scene to Penn Street.

The impact of jazz and jazz clubs in an urban neighborhood is the ability to bring everybody in, it’s very eclectic, multi denominational, multi-generational and it’s safe. He says Jazz is something that just ‘happens’. You have to be there to truly enjoy it and see it happen. It brings people together.

Craig calls Jazz “the great equalizer… You could be president of company , a professor in college, or somebody that doesn’t have a dime. Jazz brings people together and they are all equal for a period of time… enjoying the same thing, in the same spirit and in the same time”. Hear some of Craig’s stories from the jazz scene and what he is looking forward to at this year’s Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest.

Mark Shearer started volunteering at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 1994. Twenty-one years later he is the Volunteer Coordinator for the entire 10 day festival. Mark says it all started the year he and his wife spent about $800 on tickets the Berks Jazz Fest.

He got the invitation to volunteer at the Jazz Fest. He and his wife volunteered for 5 or 6 shows. They loved it and each year they added more shows to their volunteer list. Before you knew it Mark and his wife each became a house captain.

The volunteer force is often referenced as an army and Mark is quick to correct that and say it is a ‘Family’ of volunteers. He says volunteers can select the shows where they want to volunteer. The only mandate is one volunteer meeting and 3 shows. So what keeps him at the table in such a large and time consuming capacity? It is the people … not only the family of volunteers but the artists and the concert attendees as well.

From the moment they walk in the door to the final curtain, there is a common goal. Make sure everyone has a good time! Tune in and find out how you can join the volunteer family.

Skip Moyer is looking forward to sharing the Frank Scott Award moment with his kids. He played with Frank Scott a lot of times over the years. The award is all about a musician who has made a significant contribution to jazz in Berks County, as well as their active involvement in giving back to the community through music. Skip has been involved with Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest since the beginning and he is still amazed that he is asked to play when all the big names are coming in to town to perform. He can’t imagine why people would choose to see him!

Skip graduated from the Navy School of Music where he met a lot of great musicians. “Dennis … from Lehighton … ended up playing with Paul McCartney and the Wings … and Vaughn played bass trombone with the Woody Herman Band for years”. Skip says he got to play with a lot of great musicians in the Navy Band, “especially during peace time ... they are pretty picky about the musicians they choose”.

Skip teaches locally. He is really happy this year because he has a student playing bass with the All County Jazz Band. Most years his students were the ones that played bass with the County Jazz Band. Skip says, “Last year was one of the years he didn’t have a student do it ... It’s because people that were actually qualified to play weren’t really interested in doing it. There are so many different kinds of music. Their pursuits were more toward the classical vein”.

How do you teach jazz? Skip says, “It starts from how to hold the base, how to pull the string. Then you get into the harmony aspect … I usually teach how to play the blues first”.

Skip wanted to play an instrument since he was 10. He bought an Oscar Peterson record but didn’t even own a turntable! He fondly recalls the local hillbilly parks and firemen’s carnivals where all the big names came to play including Bill Monroe, Webb Pierce, Bill Haley, Earl Scruggs and Minnie Pearl. They provided the inspiration and he really wanted to play steel guitar and dobro. His High School teacher urged him to play the Bass instead. That was the beginning of a lifetime making and sharing music.

Jenifer Kinder is connected with the songs she sings even when they are not her own words but cover songs. Jenifer is not only an amazing singer but a songwriter as well and her song, ‘I Can Breathe’, is charting on commercial radio. She wrote this for her Twisted CD. It was re-recorded and released a second time with the Uptown Band, with whom she has been singing for 10 years. Jenifer says “All my songs are true. Everything that I’ve written about has happened”. Writing is how she works though it “As an artist my writing has become more dear to me than my singing”.

A dream of hers since she was a little girl has been realized. She is on the radio! Jenifer started ‘working’ on her career when she was 14 years old. She worked with producer Scott Verret recording a lot of studio jingles and commercials for Boscov’s, Tom Masano, Easter Seals and more.

Jenifer talks about the work she did developing her career. She says “There is no greater feeling and joy that I get than when performing in my home town”. Jenifer developed and performs tribute concerts to Amy Winehouse and talks about why she picked Amy. “I absolutely fell in love with her voice the first time I heard her”. Jenifer adds, “I wanted to always do a tribute while she was alive… but no one seemed to know who she was … lyrically she is just a phenomenal songwriter. Her music was overshadowed by her life. I wanted to bring her music to life … that she was a singer, musician, storyteller”.

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is almost surreal to her because of all the big names that come to town. She says, “To be among that energy is powerful and brings so many people together from all over the world. It’s amazing”. Jenifer will be singing with Erich Cawalla and the Groovemasters at the Peanut Bar. It is the traditional ‘opening concert’ for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. She will be performing a couple times during the Fest … at a ‘Groovemaster’s Celebration for Alissa B’ and again with the ‘Uptown Band’.

Let’s begin at the beginning with John Ernesto, the General Manager of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. He has been involved since the beginning 26 years ago when The Arts Council and The Visitor’s Bureau and area hotels wanted to put together a Jazz Festival. It was meant to be a cultural art experience to draw people to Berks County during a slower time of year. 4 years later John Ernesto took over and learned along the way. It started as a weekend event, it expanded to a 10 day event to celebrate the 10th Anniversary and that format has continued to this day.

The economic impact on Berks County is between 8 and 10 million dollars. Now the challenge is to keep people and artists coming back every year. The enthusiasm doesn’t wane. It has become a real destination for music fans. We try to keep the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Festival fresh so artists are brought back in different contexts. The fans come back every year because they trust us. It’s kind of like a jazz cruise on land. The artists mingle with the fans whether at a restaurant or a hotel lobby. Another staple of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is the midnight music jams. Musicians love to join the jam even after already performing multiple shows throughout the day and fans stay up through the wee hours of the morning to enjoy the music. The Jams will be held at Bldg 24 this year.

John Ernest attributes the lasting success to this, “A simple philosophy is take care of the artists, take care of the fans, and everything else will take care of itself”. And so John and his team will do that again this year. John adds the biggest challenge is coordinating the artist availability and schedules.

Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, Mavis Staples, an All-star cast performing the music of James Brown, Bela Fleck and Chick Corea, and child prodigy pianist Joey Alexander are just some of this year’s highlights.

Mike Eben spent his career in music education. He was a Muhlenberg school district music teacher. Now semi-retired he continues to teach part time at Albright College in addition to offering private sax, flute and clarinet lessons. He also serves on the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Education Committee. The committee helps fill some gaps that music budget cuts may present in schools. As a result of the Jazz Fest we now have the All County Jazz Band and the Jazz Vocal Group. The Education Committee has been conducting music workshops every year in conjunction with the Berks Jazz Fest and they have had a varying amount of success. This year they are doing things differently. Mike Eben says there will a full day of events devoted to workshops. Educators will come in and host workshops, profession musicians will be performing and jazz vendors will be setting up shop. This will be all day at the new DoubleTree in downtown Reading on Saturday April 2. There will also be performances by local school groups. Mike Eben says Jazz is the root of many forms of music and provides a student the opportunity to see how chords and scales work which is the basis of all music.

What does a music program or workshop opportunity do for a student? Mike Eben says “It changes a student because there has to be that commitment. You can’t be successful in it if you aren’t into it 100%. You have to practice if you want to maintain your chops. You have to listen to it if you want to sound authentic”

He adds that most kids playing music in schools aren’t going to go into music but they will carry that music with them wherever they go. Mike and the education committee of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest hope to develop a robust group of jazz music listeners because that will keep the jazz music alive.

Gary Spencer is the Production Manager for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. He knows what an audience wants and he and his team endeavor to make it happen. Gary started volunteering with the Berks Arts Council in 1994 at Bandshell concerts in City Park. Gary Spencer says “They said they needed volunteers, I went up and knocked on the door. The rest is history. It’s been 22 years now”.

Jazz Fest used to be a weekend event, then a 4 day weekend event and in the year 2000 the Jazz Fest ran 10 days. It was supposed to be a one year event in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Jazz Fest. It was so successful it became an annual 10 day event. That’s when Gary got hired to help coordinate and move the project forward.

So what does being the Production Manager for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest entail. It is a master juggling act to keep multiple stages, performances, venues, artists, bands, and fans happy at the same time. Gary and his team make it happen seamlessly. If there is a snafu, nobody knows it. According to Gary Spencer that is because, “Everyone has the same goals, to have a successful show, and everyone works together”.

The devil is in the details and success means very long days for Gary and his team. Early morning sound checks and stage sets to theatre set-ups, lunch and dinner for the artists, tear-downs at the end of the night all done by teams of 10 to 12 volunteers at each venue.

What has Boscov’s done for Gary, “It’s changed my life… Getting instant gratification … from culmination to fruition … with this you see joy in people’s faces and feel that buzz, you hear people having fun… everybody’s happy”.

The Boscov’s Berks Jaz Fest is all about making a difference in the community. Chris Heslop, composer, sax and clarinet player, educator, performer, chairs the Jazz Fest Education Committee. One of the challenges is getting kids to the Education Workshops. Get JazzEd Day of Education was formed. Chris Heslop says “A lot of schools hold a jazz invitational and competitions. We modeled that format but without the competition component … and made it fully educational”.

Get JazzEd Day of Education features 8 clinicians or professional musicians conducting workshops including, ‘efficient practicing’, ‘conducting new pieces’, ‘performing’, ‘improve your playing’ among others. This year’s featured artist is Tom Bones Malone, who Heslop says “has done everything in the music business”. Chris Heslop says the education committee reaches out to educate band directors and teachers about who the clinicians and featured artists are … which drums up enthusiasm for participation in the workshops.

By the way, opera has worked its’ way into Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest this year. Chris Heslop is scoring a piece about Mozart’s Librettist who lived in PA for a short time and did some business in Reading, PA. the productions is a collaborative effort between Collaboration between Berks Opera Company and Reading Theatre Project. There will be a one night performance April 8 at the Women’s Club of Reading.

Step into the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest with us! This event creates an opportunity for students, musicians, artists and audience to play a part.

Karen Haver, Executive Director Berks Arts Council, notes the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is the flagship event for the Arts Council. She says “It’s the friendliest festival in the world …. It’s a great tribute to our volunteers”.

Karen Haver likens the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest to a great big family reunion. The volunteers and staff go the extra mile to treat performers and audience like family. Over the years strong friendships have formed.

The Jazz Fest means spreading the art of jazz throughout Berks County. It has a huge economic impact in Berks County, infusing between 5 -6 million dollars in this community.

Both visual arts and education are incorporated in the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Education is a big part Berks Arts Council’s mission. The collaboration between the Jazz Fest and local schools, helps form the next generation of jazz musicians. Karen says “It’s interesting to see the growth of musicians as they go through the program. Some students are now working professional musicians and come back to play during Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Haver adds, “You can make a living loving what you do”.

The Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest ‘Frank Scott Memorial Art Of Jazz Show’ for visual artists is another way the

Berks Arts Council creates an opportunity for the whole artistic community to be part of Jazz Fest.

Karen Haver, Executive Director of the Berks Arts Council, talks about what it takes to stage the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Berks Arts Council has a staff of 3 who work with Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest General Manager, John Ernesto, and 500 volunteers to stage this flagship event for the Council. Karen says the Fest provides the opportunity for a variety of collaborative events. The Berks Arts Council stages ‘The Art of Jazz’, a visual art show and ‘20 Feet From Stardom’ a film about back-up singers, in conjunction with the Jazz Fest which draws about 2/3 of its audience from out of town. Don’t miss the shows at the GoggleWorks, on Washington St in Reading, PA.

The jazz bug bit in the late 60’s for Jim Landrigan. A life long fan of jazz music and dedicated volunteer at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, Jim Landrigan shares the memories created while volunteering. From enjoying music for free to meeting the musicians up close and personal, the experience creates lasting friendships. Owner of Land Displays, Jim takes care of billboards for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. He is always willing to roll up his sleeves and help. You will find Jim and his wife Debbie at a number of concerts volunteering to do whatever needs to be done. Going the extra mile Jim also gives his time and talent serving as President of the Berks Arts Council Board of Directors. Listen to the variety of ways you can volunteer at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, a nationally renowned Jazz Festival that is successful because of the dedicated army of volunteers allowing 90 cents of every dollar donated to go directly to the music!

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest mission: stage a ‘knock your socks off’ 10 day music festival, preserve and promote jazz music and education in the community. This hugely successful Fest is celebrating its’ 25th year. Before the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest there was Frank Scott. The Berks Arts Council in collaboration with Carolyn and Jerry Holleran established the Frank Scott Award to permanently recognize Scott’s musical and community contribution. Each year an honoree is named for their significant contribution to jazz and commitment to promoting music in the Berks County community. Who is Frank Scott? Tune in as Jerry Holleran and Toni Lynne, the 2006 Frank Scott award winner, introduce us to Frank Scott through their memories

Paul Scott is the official Master of Ceremonies for Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest. Paul spent the last 10 years introducing all of the major performers, welcoming them to the stage as the shows begin. He also hosted live broadcasts from Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest on Smooth Jazz 92.7. Tune in to hear some of Paul's memories of favorite concerts and backstage tales.

Crystal Seitz talks to Karen Meyers Haver about all things Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest! Everyone's talking about it!

Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest is much more than a world renown 10 Day music festival. There is a huge education component that takes place behind the scenes. Meet Chris Heslop and Mike Eben. Both are recipients of the Frank Scott Award recognized for their efforts to promote jazz in Berks County. Chris teaches composing and arranging at the Yocum Institute and Mike is an adjunct professor at Albright College teaching jazz band and jazz history. Mike and Chris both perform in their own band and with other bands. Both are dedicated to sharing the world of jazz music and jazz musicians with students. Serving on the Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest education committee they developed a student jazz jam which provides the opportunity to play with and learn from professional musicians. Born during Jazz Fest this jam now takes place monthly at different school districts in Berks County. New programs continue to be developed including a Get Jazzed program for elementary students.

Gerald Veasley grew up in Philadelphia surrounded by Blues, Soul and Gospel Music. Those influences paved the way to a lifelong celebration of music. An extraordinary talent, Gerald talks about the importance of education and the healing power of music. He continues to compose, perform and teach music at the University of The Arts. Gerald Veasley will grace the stage for a number of concerts at the 25th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest.

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest puts the Reading Pops Orchestra front and center April 19 with the New York Voices. Will Rapp, former chair of the music department at Kutztown University and conductor of the Reading Pops, says this group of musicians always welcomes new and innovative musical challenges. Will recalls the first time the New York Voices came to Reading to perform with the Pops and shares his excitement as they get ready to welcome them back for an encore performance at the 25th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest.

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest put Reading on the National Map. Go anywhere in the country and people will talk about the Jazz Fest in Reading. That happens through the dedication of volunteers like Mark and Stan. Meet the Power behind the scenes, literally. Mark brings his professional expertise from a lifelong career with Met-Ed and First Energy to Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. Stan brings his ‘let’s get it done!’ attitude to volunteering backstage to do whatever needs to be done. Why do they give so much time and energy to Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest? For the music! These gentlemen volunteer to keep the music alive in Reading.

Mike Anderson talks about his involvement with the Berks Jazz Fest since its inception from creating the neon logo and volunteering backstage to performing on stage. Who knew his first exposure to woodwind instruments in the fourth grade would ultimately lead to an opportunity to form Berks Horns and perform on stage at Berks Jazz Fest. He’s not sure what is the bigger thrill, performing on stage with the likes of Mindi Abair, Jeff Golub, Brian Bromberg, Cheili Minnuci and many more or turning around and seeing his latest logo design for the 25th Anniversary of the Bosco’s Berks Jazz Fest featured prominently on the multiple venue stages. Watch for Berks Horns to be featured in a number of shows at this year’s Fest in April