Thursday,
July 29 / 7:00 p.m.
Smooth Jazz 92.7 Summer Concert
Series
Gregg Karukas
featuring
the
Berks Jazz Fest
Horns
Tickets $20 at
door or in advance
CLICK HERE to order online.
Gregg Karukas is no stranger to
regional contemporary jazz fans.
The exciting keyboardist, originally from
the D.C./Maryland area
where
he was one of the top fusion and studio
players, has performed at the Berks Jazz
Fest many times, including during the recent
20th annual festival.
And now the California-based Karukas is back for a special
summer East Coast tour that includes a stop
at the Jazz Base, where he
will be joined by his band, plus the Berks
Jazz Fest Horns -- Mike Anderson on sax, Jon Loos on trombone, and Rob Diener on trumpet.
The show is the kickoff event of the special
Smooth Jazz 92.7 Concert Series at the Jazz
Base.
Karukas recently released his latest CD
project -- GK -- which has been
getting great reviews and plenty of airplay. He has been nominated
in the Best Keyboardist category for the
American Smooth Jazz Award that will be held
later this fall.
Thursday,
August 5 / 7:00 p.m.
Greg Hatza ORGANization
featuring
Greg Hatza,
organ
Brian Kooker,
guitar
Peter Praize,
saxophone
Vance James, drums
Tickets $12 at door
Organist Greg
Hatza is back at the Jazz Base
with his swinging band for what
promises to be a night of great
music.
Hatza, a native of Reading,
always looks forward to playing
at the Jazz Base which is always
packed with family and friends
when he performs.
Influenced by Jimmy Smith, Jimmy
McGriff, Ray Charles, and Johnny
Hammond Smith, Greg Hatza is one
of today's premiere jazz
organist.
Hatza's hands and feet are a
study in coordination as they
become one with his organ. With
his left hand he lays down the
bass line, and with his right he
leads the other members of his
band into a swinging, upbeat
jazz number that lights up any
venue with electricity.
Thursday,
August 12 / 7:00 p.m.
WEEU Big Band Night
The Last Big Band
directed by
Jimmy Zoller
Lee Southall
Roger Morgan
Tickets $12 at door
Charter band member and pianist Dave Heck has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an arranger and, since its inception, he has made countless contributions to The Last Big Band's book.
A prolific writer, Dave's charts are always fresh, always hip and always right. They are a pleasure to play and a pleasure to listen to.
The band's usual line-up of superb soloists, plus vocalist Mike Byrne, will be on hand to celebrate Dave's music. All agree Dave is a heck of an arranger and a heck of a nice guy. A Dave Heck Festival -- Heck, yeah!
Thursday,
August 19 / TWO SHOWS
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Smooth Jazz 92.7 Summer Concert Series
The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman
with
Jeff Kashiwa, saxophone
Bill Heller, keyboards
Rico Belled, bass
Dave Karasony, drums
Tickets $35 at door or in advance
7 p.m. show sold out.
CLICK HERE to order tickets online for 9:30 p.m. show
Fans of the legendary band will have the chance to see it perform up close and personal at the intimate club. The Rips are touring to celebrate the release of its latest CD project -- Modern Art.
T
he
Rippingtons
have
performed
numerous
time at
the
Berks
Jazz
Fest
over the
last 20
years.The Rips spent the summer of 2006 and much of the past two years, including a stop at the Jazz Base, celebrating that past and toasting the future with what Freeman jokingly calls “the longest and greatest 20th Anniversary Tour in history.”
They embarked on the extended journey upon the release of The Rippingtons 20th Anniversary, the remarkable CD/DVD package featuring a retrospective DVD, new music and a medley of their most popular airplay hits since the release of their debut album Moonlighting in 1986.
“I think
the
music of
The
Rippingtons
has
struck a
universal
chord
that is
hard to
fully
explain,”
states
Freeman.
“That
connection
has
given us
many
loyal
fans
over the
years
and has
been
wonderful
for me
and the
musicians
I’ve
worked
with
along
the way.
I value
being
part of
everyone’s
collective
musical
experiences
more
than I
ever
did—and
am very
excited
about
continuing
to share
my
passions
with
those
who
share
theirs.”
As The
Rippingtons
move
beyond
their
20th
Anniversary,
it’s a
good
time to
stop for
a
moment,
contemplate
the past
as we
look
forward
to the
future,
and
admire
their
latest
work of
Modern
Art.
Thursday,
August 26 / 7:00 p.m.
Bones of Contention
featuring
Doc Mulligan
Chuck Dressler
Rob Stoneback
plus very special guest
Wycliffe Gordon
Tickets $15 at door
This is going to
be a very special night at the
Jazz Base -- especially if you
are fan of the trombone.
The popular Bones of Contention,
featuring trombonists Doc
Mulligan, Chuck Dressler and Rob
Stoneback, will be joined this
night by one of the best jazz
trombonist in the music business
--
Wycliffe Gordon.
"We
are thrilled that Wycliffe will
be our special guest for this
show," said Berks music icon Doc
Mulligan. "Wycliffe is a great
trombonist ... a first-class
musician. It's going to be a lot
of fun for Chuck, rob and I to
share the stage with him."
Wycliffe enjoys an extraordinary
career as a performer, composer,
arranger, educator, and
conductor, receiving high praise
and multiple awards and honors
from audiences and critics
alike.
Wycliffe tours the world
bringing hard-swinging,
straight-ahead jazz to audiences
ranging from heads of state to
elementary school students. He
is rapidly becoming one of
America’s most persuasive and
committed music educators, and
currently serves on the faculty
of the Jazz Arts Program at
Manhattan School of Music.
Wycliffe received the
Jazz Journalists Association
Award for Trombonist of the Year
in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002, and
2001.
On Wycliffe's latest CD project
-- Cone and T-Staff --
the multi-talented former Wynton
Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln
Centre Orchestra trombonist, who
they call "Cone," teams up with
versatile trumpeter Terell
Stafford (aka Staff) in a
brassy quintet with a smoking
rhythm section.
Joining the four trombonist for
the Jazz Base show will be
keyboardist Marty Mellinger,
drummer Dave Lazorcik, and
bassist Keith Mohler.
Thursday,
September 2 / 7:00 p.m.
Smooth Jazz 92.7 Summer Concert
Series
Andrew NeuTickets $12 at door
By blending a unique mix of jazz, R&B, classical and Latin music, Andrew Neu delivers a fresh sound to the contemporary music scene.
Andrew Neu is well-respected throughout the industry for his work as a saxophonist, woodwind player, arranger, composer and recording artist.
Whether he’s in concert with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, a sideman with national hea
-featuring-bobby-caldwell.jpg)
dliners,
or performing as
a solo artist, Neu’s
musicianship and engaging stage presence
continue to get the audience’s attention.
That was the case last March when Neu was part of several major jam sessions during the 20th annual Berks Jazz Fest.
Fueled by the success of his two albums, Inspire (2000) and In Clear View (2007), Neu recently released his third CD -- Try Something Neu -- which has been receiving great reviews and airplay.
Regularly touring the country with Bobby Caldwell, Neu has shared the stage with Sir Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mellissa Manchester, Mel Torme, Diane Schurr, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Four Tops, and The Temptations among others. He has also recorded as a soloist with Sister Sledge, Manhattan Transfer, and jazz legend Buddy DeFranco.
As a longtime member of the Brian Pastor Big Band, he has been featured as a soloist and an arranger. More recently the Dave Stahl Band has been showcasing Andrew’s skills.
Thursday,
September 9 / 7:00 p.m.
20th Anniversary Tour
Mark Hummel's
Blues Harmonica Blowout
featuring
Mark Hummel & The Blues Survivors
Billy Branch
James Harmon
Steve Freund
Tickets: $25 at door
or in advance
CLICK HERE to order advance tickets
online!
Mark
Hummel's
Blues Harmonica Blowout,
featuring Billy Branch,
James Harmon and Hummel, plus
special guest Steve Freund and the
Blues Survivors will rock the
Jazz Base with some swingin'
blues.
Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout
series was started in 1991. It
has grown to become an
international event, having
played festivals and theatres
like Nottonden Blues Fest
(Norway), San Francisco Blues
Fest, Chicago Blues Fest,
Ultimate Rhythm & Blues Cruise,
Pocono Blues Fest, Mississippi
Valley Blues Fest, American
Music Fest, BB King's Club
(NYC), Heritage Blues Fest, King
Biscuit Blues Fest, El Dorado
Blues and Brews (Reno, NV),
Edmonton Blues Fest, Yoshi's
NiteClub, Monterey Jazz Fest,
North Atlantic Blues Fest, and
many other venues.
Mark
Hummel is a road warrior
-- a true Blues Survivor. Along
the way, he has crafted his own
trademark harmonica sound -- a
subtle combination of tone,
phrasing and attack, combined
with a strong sense of swing.
Hummel has achieved wide
recognition through nearly
constant touring in the US,
Canada and Europe.
Billy Branch has
followed a very non-traditional
path to the blues. Unlike many
blues artists, he isn’t from the
South. Billy was born in Chicago
in 1951 and was raised in Los
Angeles. He first picked up a
harmonica at the age of ten and
immediately began to play simple
tunes.
Billy returned to Chicago in the
summer of ’69 and graduated from
the University
of
Illinois with a degree in
political science. It was during
these years that he was
introduced to the blues.
James Harman is a one of
a kind showman, vocalist, song
writer, harp player and wiseguy.
He has had his original songs
used in 17 movies and has been
nominated for 19 pestiferous W.
C. Handy awards. He played
harmonica on many ZZ Top
releases and live with them on
many international TV shows. He
currently tours almost all
springs, summers and falls
working in as many as 23
different countries.
Guitarist, producer and
bandleader
Steve Freund, praised by
Rolling Stone for his
"masterful, no-nonsense guitar
work" has relocated to the West
Coast following 18 years as one
of Chicago's most respected
musicians.
Widely sought after for his
knowledge of and fluency in the
Blues idioms, Freund has earned
a reputation as one of the
hottest players on today's blues
scene.
In 1978, he became Sunnyland
Slim's main guitarist, playing
just about every gig with the
piano legend until the time of
his death.
Thursday,
September 16 / 7:00 p.m.
From
The Hip
featuring
Mike Eben,
saxophone
Roger Morgan,
trumpet
Bob Eben,
drums
Terry Bortman,
bass
TBA, guitar
TBA,
keyboards
Tickets $10
at door
Mike Eben's From The Hip is back at the Jazz
Base.
A crowd favorite at the Jazz Base, From The
Hip performs classic soul jazz and hard bop,
along with a some funk and fusion. Their
inspiration comes from some of the great
names in jazz -- John Coltrane, Miles Davis,
Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Freddie
Hubbard, Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan.
Thursday,
September 23 / 7:00 p.m.
Sixth Anniversary Celebration
Smooth Jazz 92.7 Summer Concert Series
Gerald Veasley
featuring special guests
Ken Navarro
Carol Riddick
Tickets: $23 at door
or in advance
CLICK HERE to order advance tickets
online!
It's hard to believe that the
Jazz Base will be celebrating
its sixth anniversary during
this special concert featuring
Gerald Veasley.
Gerald is putting together a
great lineup of guests for this
milestone show that will close
out the Smooth Jazz 92.7 Summer
Concert Series.
Thursday,
September 30 / 7:00 p.m.
Jim Weider's
Project Perculator
featuring
Jim Weider,
guitar
Mitch Stein,
guitar
Rodney Holmes,
drums
Steve Lucas,
bass
Tickets $12
at door
Jim Weider, a master of classic telecaster
guitar, is renowned for his rock and
blues-based signature sound.
Jim Weider is among a select group of musicians with
an endorsement from Fender and, for the past
three decades, he's earned enormous respect
from fellow musicians and music fans
throughout the world.
Born and raised in the famed arts colony of
Woodstock, NY, Jim received great acclaim
during his long tenure (1985-2000) as lead
guitarist (replacing Robbie Robertson) for
Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame inductees -- The
Band.
During 15 years of international touring
with original members Levon Helm, Garth
Hudson and Rick Danko, Jim was featured on
numerous albums, films, videos and
television appearances.
When not performing with his own band, Jim
is a touring member of the Levon Helm Band.
Thursday,
October 7 / 7:00 p.m.
Philly Gumbo
featuring
Randall Grass,
keyboards
Pete Eshelman,
guitar
Tim Hayes,
drums
Bert Harris,
bass
CC Crabtree,
sax
India Rex,
vocals
Tickets $10
at door
Philly Gumbo has been the foremost exponent
of New Orleans music in the Philadelphia
area and perhaps the only band to
effectively mix New Orleans, R&B, reggae,
blues, and African music.
Philly Gumbo has also been recognized by
Philadelphia Magazine in the annual
“Best Of Philadelphia” issue and by the
Philadelphia Music Foundation.
Philly Gumbo pioneered live music at the
fabled South Street music scene at the club
Bacchanal and was often joined there by
special guests sitting in such as Todd
Rundgren, David Lindley, Teddy Royal of Fats
Domino’s band, members of Harold Melvin &
The Blue Notes’ band, Kenn Kweder, Elliot
Levin, Essra Mohawk and more.
Philly Gumbo kicked off the first Jambalaya
Jam at Penn’s Landing and appeared many
times at Jam On The River and most of the
top venues in the Philadelphia area.
If you want to have a true New Orleans
musical experience, then you do not want to
miss Philly Gumbo.
Thursday,
October 14 / 7:00 p.m.
Monkadelphia
featuring
Tony Miceli,
vibes
Tom Lawton,
piano
Jim Miller,
drums
Micha Jones,
bass
Chris Farr,
sax
Tickets $10
at door
Over the
past several years, there has been a revival
and reconsideration of the music of
No one embodies this trend better than
Monkadelphia, a group of Philadelphia-based
jazz musicians who play his music
exclusively — a difficult challenge which
they embrace with vitality, panache, and
sophistication.
With
Their forthcoming 2010 CD is masterful, with
echoes of the best groups of the 1950s and
1960s, reflecting Monk's unique
contributions yet representing
Monkadelphia's own approach, developed in
over a decade of performing his music
together.
The band comes to the Jazz Base celebrating
the release of its latest CD project --
Crepuscule.
Thursday, October 21 / 7:00 p.m.
Blues
Night
Clarence Spady Band
Tickets $15
at door
Clarence Spady is back at the Jazz Base.
The last time he was at the club Spady gave
the packed house a memorable performance.
Anyone familiar with Spady understands.
Rarely does an artist emerge that is the
REAL DEAL!
Spady touches the soul in ways that can't be
explained with words.
Spady's latest CD project Just Between Us
isn't your typical blues album, instead more
of a mixture of supercharged-soul, raucous
R&B, and slick urban blues (with muted rock
& roll influences).
Spady possesses a rough-edged voice,
definitely reaching at times, while nailing
other performances with a distinctive vocal
flair.
It is Spady's skills as a songwriter and
talent as a guitarist that rise above
everything else on Just Between Us,
the artist creating an intelligent and
unique personal style.
Spady's typically understated, and sometimes
spectacular fretwork imbues each song with
color, and his tales of love gone wrong, or
the struggle to keep romance alive, are both
well-written and universal in appeal.
This is blues music for the 21st century:
lively, sophisticated, and proud of its
roots.
Thursday,
October 28 / 7:00 p.m.
Lynn Riley & The World Mix
Tickets $10 at door
Lynn Riley has been described more than once as "Superwoman" of the sax.
Since returning to Philadelphia after many years abroad studying and performing, Lynn Riley has performed with many great artists like Grover Washington Jr., Philly Joe Jones, David Bromberg, Rachelle Farrell, Charles Earland, Gerald Veasley, David Murray and Johnny Pacheco, as well as leading her own groups.
More recently Lynn has been expanding her composing vocabulary and style by traveling and performing in countries such as Cuba, South Africa, Bolivia and Brazil.
This multi-cultural exposure gives Lynn's music a unique traditional ethnic sound blended with her original ideas and jazz roots, culminating in a funky accessible world influenced mix.
Riley recently released her latest CD project -- Too Cool. The CD features a cool mix of delicious grooves, controlled funk, and smooth and traditional jazz influences, with a sultry swinging rhythm snaking its way throughout the album.
Thursday,
November 4 / 7:00 p.m.
Night of Swinging Gypsy Jazz
Hot
Club of Detroit
featuring
Carl Cafagna,
saxophone
Andrew Kratzat, bass
Evan Perri, guitar
Julien Labro, accordion
Paul Brady, guitar
Tickets $15
at door
The family tree that traces its roots to
the Quintette du Hot Club de France has
sprouted countless branches across the globe
in the 70 years since Django Reinhardt first
jammed with Stéphane Grappelli.
It seems like a new city lays claim to its
own Hot Club on a virtually daily basis, but
the
Hot Club of Detroit is undoubtedly
the apple that has fallen farthest from that
tree.
The blistering fretwork on the opening track
of the group's third CD -- It's About
That Time -- pays explicit homage to one
of their six-string heroes -- just not the
one you might think.
"On the Steps" is based on the chord changes
of Pat Martino's "On the Stairs" (with a
brief borrowing from John Coltrane's "Giant
Steps" to complete the pun), and states at
the outset what fans of these gypsy jazz
revisionists have long known -- that Django
Reinhardt is far from the beginning and end
of the Hot Club of Detroit's vocabulary of
influences.
"Django Reinhardt is the showerhead from
which we all come down," says guitarist and
bandleader Evan Perri. "But if he had lived,
I don't think he would've been playing the
same things he had in prior years. He was
constantly evolving as a jazz musician."
Thursday,
November 11 / 7:00 p.m.
The Uptown JazzUP
featuring
Erich Cawalla,
saxophone/vocals
Jenifer Kinder, vocals
Dave Fenwick, keyboards
Lamont Bates, bass
Omer Godinet, drums
Tim Thompson, trumpet
Mike Schwartz, guitar
Dewey Wahl, guitar
Tickets $12 at door
Thursday,
November 18 / 7:00 p.m.
A Tribute to
Steely Dan
The Royal Scam
featuring
Mike Caputo,
vocals
Gino Amato,
keyboards
Joe Montini,
saxophones
Wendi Gordy,
vocals
Deb De Lucca,
vocals
Al Egizi,
guitar
Tom Boettger,
drums
Tickets $15 at door
The Royal Scam is back at the
Jazz Base for another night of Steely Dan
music.
The Royal Scam the world's premier Steely
Dan tribute band. Playing more than 40 of
Steely Dan's masterpieces, the band has
helped to keep the compositions of Donald
Fagen and Walter Becker, the spirit of
rock/jazz, and the enthusiasm of fine
musicianship alive in small clubs and
concert venues throughout the Northeast.
Royal Scam’s attention to detail on the
complex songs of Walter Becker and Donald
Fagen is nothing short of outstanding.
Leader Michael Caputo has spent the last 16
years perfecting the cool and at times
offbeat vocals of Fagen. Mike is a guy with
a love for the music of an amazing band and
he obviously enjoys sharing it with the
masses, which is why The Royal Scam has
become a fan favorite at the Jazz Base and
the Berks Jazz Fest.
