from Berks Arts
No matter what is going on in the world, one thing jazz fans all over the United States can count on is that Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest will bring the very best of all genres of jazz to Berks County for 10 glorious days.
Berks Arts is pleased to announce the star-studded lineup for the 34th annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest set for April 4-13, 2025. Tickets go on sale online at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Berks Jazz Fest Donor presale will begin at 9 a.m. in-person at the DoubleTree and at noon online on Saturday, Dec. 7. Check the website for complete details.
As always, the opening day will begin with the traditional Harold B. Leifer Memorial Luncheon at the Peanut Bar Restaurant at 11:30 a.m., featuring The Groovemasters (pianist Cliff Starkey, bassist Bennie Sims, and saxophonist/vocalist Erich Cawalla).
That evening fans will be treated to a special concert — The Music Forever (TMF): Celebrating the Legacy of Frankie Beverly, at 6 p.m. in the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading. TMF, a six-member band founded by five former members of the iconic R&B band Maze — led by Beverly — will perform the music of the legendary late singer, who passed earlier this year.
“TMF is excited to have the opportunity to share Frankie’s music during the iconic Berks Jazz Fest,” said Chris Walker, the soulful vocalist for TMF. “The music of Frankie Beverly & Maze will live forever.”
Another concert that promises to be a memorable fest highlight will be the David Sanborn Tribute set for Friday, April 11, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Musical directors Marcus Miller and Eric Marienthal have assembled an all-star lineup that also features Kirk Whalum, Eric Darius, Mindi Abair, Arlington Jones, Nate Phillips, Jay Williams, Kevin Turner, Munyungo Jackson, and Alice Soyer Sanborn, the late saxophonist’s wife, who will add her vocals to the performance. David Sanborn, who passed last May after a long battle with cancer, performed many times at the Berks Jazz Fest.
“David left an amazing legacy as a musician and with his body of work,” said Marienthal. “All the musicians are looking forward to honoring David during the Berks Jazz Fest.”
Acclaimed singer Lalah Hathaway will perform with her band on Saturday, April 5, at 9:30 p.m. in the DoubleTree. Hathaway has been nominated for two 2024 Grammy Awards.
Brilliant singer/trombonist Aubrey Logan and singer/trumpeter Ilya Serov, who made a splash as part of the 2023 Berks Jazz Fest, will be joining the Reading Pops Orchestra on Sunday, April 6, at the Miller Center for the Arts.
Also at 6 p.m. that day at the Scottish Rite will be dynamic guitarist/songwriter Cory Wong, who has recorded and toured with Vulfpeck, Jon Batiste, The Fearless Flyers, Dave Koz, Victor Wooten, and others. His variety show, “Cory and the Wongnotes,” ran on YouTube for two seasons. “Starship Syncopations” (2024) is the latest of his 14 solo albums.
And the magnificent bassist and five-time Grammy winner Stanley Clark will return to the festival on Saturday, April 12, at 9:30 p.m. in the DoubleTree with his renowned band.
The rest of the festival will feature many audience favorites who return to Berks frequently because they value the chance to jam together and meet up with their Berks Jazz Fest loyal friends: Jeff Kashiwa with Four80East, pianist/trombonist Brian Culbertson, saxophonist Gerald Albright, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxophonist Richard Elliot, bassist Victor Wooten, and The Wooten Brothers, and, of course, bassist Gerald Veasley, whose Unscripted Jam has become a highly anticipated fixture both Fridays at 11:30 p.m. in the DoubleTree.
For a complete guide to the 2025 Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, visit www.berksjazzfest.com.
The post Announcing the 2025 Berks Jazz Fest Lineup appeared first on BCTV.
Source: bctv
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