Jazz Fest 2008 - Friday March 28

5pm - Ed McCartan and Mike Ciliberti -
Jazz Dinner in L'Arte della Vita
Guitarist Ed McCartan and Keyboardist Mike Ciliberti perform a wide variety of classic jazz and contemporary instrumentals. The two have worked together in many ensembles, and as a duo, for the past 8 years performing around the region and East Coast. Their exciting performances blend creative arrangements with stimulating improvisations. Check the Upcoming Shows page to see them.


7:30pm - Nancy Wilson -
Sovereign Center - (tickets)
At this stage of her incredibly accomplished career, song stylist Nancy Wilson performs only select engagements.
Therefore, the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest will be in very select company on Friday night when it showcases the three-time Grammy Award winner with its opening-night "An Evening with Nancy Wilson" at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.
The 18th annual Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, runs Friday through April 6 and features an expansive array of musical styles, including contemporary and traditional jazz, blues and big band, with some gospel and even bluegrass thrown in. Shows are held at major venues, clubs and restaurants throughout Reading and Berks County, making it a truly unique festival.
Nancy Wilson has done it all in her nearly five-decade-long career.
The legendary vocalist has adrotily sung jazz, blues, pop, cabaret, R&B, and everything in between. She has hosted her own network TV variety show, profiled the legends of jazz on National Public Radio and acted in numerous television programs.
As a jazz performer she is renowned for her exciting collaborations with such greats as Cannonball Adderley, George Shearing and Ramsey Lewis. Her debut single, "Guess Who I Saw Today," was so successful that between April 1960 and July 1962 Capitol Records released five Nancy Wilson albums. In 1963 "Tell The Truth" became her first truly major hit, leading up to her performance at the Coconut Grove in 1964 that turned her almost overnight into a jazz icon.
Through the years Wilson's talent remains incandescent. She won Grammy Awards in 2005 and 2007 for her MCG Jazz albums R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal) and Turned to Blue.

10pm - Kenny Blake Quartet - Late-night Jazz Caberet -
L'Arte della Vita ($15 ticketed)
Intimate late-night jazz shows on Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29