Thursday, August 21, 2008 / TWO SHOWS / 10:00 p.m. Available

7:00 p.m. Show Sold Out

'Stars' National CD Release Tour
Mindi Abair

Tickets: $32 in advance or at door. Click here to order online

Where do you go from No. 1? If you're singer, songwriter and saxophonist Mindi Abair -- whose 2006 release Life Less Ordinary debuted at the top of Billboard's contemporary jazz chart -- you step out of your comfort zone, reach deep inside, follow your heart, write a bunch of killer songs showcasing your dynamic vocals like never before and, yes, aim for the Stars.

With the highly anticipated release of Abair's aptly titled debut, the amazingly versatile artist bursts onto the pop scene with gale force. She adds a refreshingly unique voice to an exciting new generation of crossover artists who are, like her, powerful instrumentalists as well as thought-provoking singer/songwriters.

Beginning with the promotion of the title cut "Stars" to AC radio, the performer's unique hybrid sound and mix of cool vulnerability and utter conviction is going to give all of them -- John Mayer, Feist, Corinne Bailey Rae, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones -- a run for their money.

Perhaps John Taylor, famed Duran Duran bassist, says it best about her stunning melodies and thought provoking lyrics: "Mindi is unique. Listen to her new album 'Stars,' a genre-busting, breathtaking combination of contemporary jazz and top-40 torch songs. It will be love at first listen."

Already a star in the contemporary jazz world, Abair has had three No. 1 hit singles on the Radio & Records charts, her last CD debuted No. 1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, and her debut album stayed in the top-10 for 19 consecutive weeks and was named the most played Contemporary Jazz CD of 2003 by Jazz Week. She also hosts a popular weekly syndicated radio show called "Chill with Mindi Abair" that is broadcast in 40 markets in the U.S. and abroad.

Thursday, August 28, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

The Standard Quartet Plus 2

featuring
Carl Zeplin, guitar
Tim Gross, saxophones
Trey LaRue, bass
Harry Vrooman, piano
Sonya Vrooman, vocals
plus special guest
Marko Marcinko, drums

Tickets: $8 at door

Kick off your Labor Day weekend with the sizzling sounds of “The Standard Quartet."

The Standard Quartet is made up of local Berks County musicians, Carl Zeplin on guitar, Tim Gross on tenor sax, Trey LaRue on upright bass.

Teaming up with the band for this Jazz Base performance will be the husband and wife duo from Lancaster County, Harry and Sonya Vrooman on piano and vocals.

The band will be performing “Standards” from the book of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Jobim, as well as some sultry sounds from Hoagy Carmichael and Rogers and Hart.

A special guest appearance for this show will be the legendary Marko Marcinko on drum set. Come out start your unofficial last weekend of the summer with “The Standard Quartet”.

Thursday, September 4, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

New York trumpeter
Nate Birkey

featuring
Marko Marcinko, drums
Tony Marino, bass
Steve Rudolph, piano

Tickets: $8 at door

Nate Birkey's quiet but intense demeanor typifies an artist restlessly pursuing the evolution of his own musical personality.

As composer, trumpeter and vocalist, he imbues warmth and broiling energy into his music, as heard in his recordngs.

Birkey's subtle vocal and trumpet approach has often been compared to that of Chet Baker and Miles Davis, respectively. A sound poised and assured, powerfully stark and spare, it creates an atmosphere at once solitary and electric.

The success of 1998's Indelibly You pushed Birkey and his quintet to the forefront of the West Coast Jazz scene, performing at clubs and festivals throughout the region.

In 2004, Nate moved to New York where he is a fixture on the jazz scene. This will be Nate's third appearance at the Jazz Base.

Thursday, September 11, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Blues Night
Kenny Neal

Tickets: $23 in advance or at door. Click here to order online

For Kenny Neal, there was never any question that he'd be playing the blues. The son of blues harpist Raful Neal, a familiar figure on the Baton Rouge blues scene, Kenny was given his first harmonica by family friend Slim Harpo.

He later mastered piano, guitar, and bass. After years of apprenticeship spent honing his own unique individual sound, Neal launched his solo career in 1987. Over the past 20-plus years, Neal has made a name for himself as a talented young bluesman, mixing Louisiana swamp blues with Chicago blues and Memphis soul influences.

Neal first performed as a pianist with his father's band at the tender age of six. By 13, Kenny had joined Raful's band as its bass player, and a few years later he toured with blues legend Buddy Guy. Taking Guy's advice to focus on his rapidly improving guitar playing, Neal moved to Toronto and formed the Neal Brothers Band with four of his brothers, playing behind visiting blues stars.

Through the years, Neal has worked in a number of other venues outside of the blues. In 1991, he starred in the lead role of Mule Bone, a critically-acclaimed musical that earned Neal a Theater World Award.

In 2004, after moving to San Francisco, Kenny launched his own local TV show called Neal's Place. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, the show features Neal performing with and interviewing fellow blues musicians.

Thursday, September 18, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Big Band Night
The Last Big Band
directed by
Jimmy Zoller, Roger Morgan and Lee Southall
featuring special guest vocalist
Robin Work

Tickets: $12 at door.

The Last Big Band is back at the Jazz Base.

Trombonists, Jim Zoller and Lee Southall and their popular
18-piece ensemble return to the Jazz Base for a swinging
evening of big band jazz from the pens of their talented
in-house arrangers, Dave Heck, Bob Mulligan, and Chris
Heslop.

For this show, the band is honored to be joined by the superb jazz vocalist Robin Work and happy to welcome the great jazz trumpeter Bob Stoyco to its ranks of fine soloists.

And topping off the evening's program will be a selection of charts from the repertoire of the original Reading Big Band in a brief revival of and tribute to that legendary organization.

Jazz is a joyful noise. Come join the fun with this first-rate orchestra, The Last Big Band.

It's later than you think!

Thursday, September 25, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Fourth Anniversary Celebration
Gerald Veasley Band
plus the
Berks Jazz Fest Horns

Tickets: $20 at door or in advance. Click here to order online

It's only fitting that Gerald Veasley and his dynamic band headline the concert to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Jazz Base.

Veasley and his band will be joined by the Berks Jazz Fest Horns for this anniversary show. The BJF Horns are Mike Anderson on saxophone, Rob Diener on trumpet, and John Loos on trombone.

Veasley is well regarded as a composer, producer, artist, and educator. His varied musical career has allowed him to reach out to an ever growing legion of fans. Gerald has been appreciated by fans and fellow musicians alike for his virtuosity yet soulful approach to music making.

Meanwhile, critics have also noticed this six string bassist's work. He's been voted “Best Electric Bassist” by Jazziz Magazine and named in both Downbeat magazine's Critic's and Reader's Polls.

Thursday, October 9, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Blues Night
Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women

Tickets: $23 in advance or at door. Click here to order online

It's not often that dreams come true.

In the case of the acoustic blues trio, Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women, that's just what happened.

Over the course of nine recordings and thousands of gigs, the group has gone from virtual obscurity to one of the most popular, witty, and just plain satisfying acoustic blues groups on the scene today.

These women tear into their material with passion, dedication, and originality. Every song they cover becomes theirs, and their originals blend seamlessly with their interpretations.

They are indeed the torchbearers for the original classic uppity blues women like Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Victoria Spivey.

 The members of Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women are Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Faye, and Ann Rabson.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Honoring Great Drummers of Jazz
Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy
featuring
Walt Weiskoph, tenor/soprano saxes
Andy Fusco, alto sax
Mark Soskin, piano
Baron Browne, bass
with
Steve Smith, drums

Tickets: $23 in advance or at door.
Click here to order online

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 serves to 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.

Thursday, October 23, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Jazz, Funk, Blues, Classical
The Reese Project
featuring
Tom Reese, flute
Laurie Haines Reese, cello
Bobby Brewer, guitar
Aaron Walker, drums

Tickets: $8 at door

The Reese Prpject plays lively jazz, blues, funk & classical music.

Mesmerizing to watch, this unique quartet combines flute, cello, guitar & drums. Gorgeous compositions weave elements from around the world into up-tempo, high energy jazz and haunting sounds that flow from calypso to waltz feels.

This very polished jazz quartet has evolved to become one of the most unique quartets in the world.  Recently signed to "In the Groove Records," TRP's new CD, "This Just In," is available through Allegro Corporation.

Tom Reese, flute, writes most of the band's material. In performance, his highly-charged, soaring flute lines carve new sounds out of traditional forms.

Laurie Haines Reese, cello, adds a unique flavor to the band with the electric cello. Her shredding sound and acoustic bass lines compliment the creative edge in the original works as well as the standards.

Bobby Brewer, guitar, sends the band stomping & growling into the aether.

Aaron Walker, drums, captures the motion in the rhythms and drives the sound.

With a nod to past masters, the original jazz created within this group of musicians steps in a new direction, while staying squarely within the boundaries of real jazz. It's definitely music for fresh ears. Performing jazz standards, funk, blues & originals, The Reese Project includes something for everyone -- from Bach to the Beatles. They have played to packed houses throughout the US & Canada (even in a major snow storm!). 

Thursday, November 6, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Blues Night
Roomful of Blues

Tickets: $25 in advance or at door. Click here to order online

Roomful of Blues, according to Down Beat magazine, "is in a class by themselves."

With their masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues and R&B, it's no wonder why the great Count Basie called them "the hottest blues band I've ever heard."

Since 1967, the group's deeply rooted blend of swing, rock 'n' roll, jump, blues and soul has earned it five Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including seven Blues Music Awards (with the nod for Blues Band Of The Year in 2005).

The band, with a membership that has continued to change and evolve over the years, has always boasted great musicianship featuring a stellar horn section.

With a non-stop performance schedule for almost 40 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans around the globe. Twice, the prestigious Down Beat International Critics Poll selected Roomful of Blues as Best Blues Band.

Even though Roomful of Blues' lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world.

Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger!