Jazz Fest 2008 - Saturday, March 29
5pm - 7:30pm - Sharon Bailey Quartet
Jazz Dinner - L'Arte della Vita
(Mark Huber, piano; Steve Beskrone, bass; Lew Leabman, drums; Sharon Bailey, vocals)
Sharon broke into the jazz scene four years ago in the Reading area during Berks Jazz Fest. Since that time, she has been performing regularly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Bethlehem Muskifest and radio jingles. As well as her own ensembles, she is a featured vocalist with a big band, jazz harmonic orchestra, Pops Orchestra, and Ladies of Jazz show in the area.
7:30pm - Chris Botti -
Soveriegn Center - (Tickets)
Trumpeter Chris Botti is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer and a charismatic performer who -- since the release of his first solo album in 1995 -- has created a series of recordings that have made him a virtual genre-of-one in the realm of contemporary jazz while at the same time capturing the attention of the pop music world.
Through his singular combination of lush atmospheres and thoughtful improvisations, Botti has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation for a succession of best-selling albums including When I Fall In Love (2004, No. 1 Top Jazz Album, No. 37 Billboard Top 200), To Love Again: The Duets (2005, No. 1 Top Jazz Album, No. 18 Billboard Top 200), and Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & special guests (2006, No. 2 Top Jazz Album).
Now, inspired by the sounds and atmosphere of Italy, Chris Botti has created a vibrant and sensual set of performances drawn from sources ranging from classical opera to the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone.
Recorded in the United States, England, and Italy, Italia is a brilliant showcase for Botti's musical versatility as performer, composer and collaborator.
Italia, released in September 2007, includes the newly-composed title track featuring the passionate vocals of renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli as well as a new interpretation of "The Very Thought of You" with guest vocalist Paula Cole.
8pm - Jump Rhythm Jazz Project -
Miller Center - (Tickets)
Jump Rhythm Jazz Project is a not-for-profit arts organization founded in 1990 whose mission is both to honor and innovate the art of jazz-based American rhythm dancing, and to celebrate the joys of shared rhythm-making in dance, music and song among individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds and cultures. The company continues to pursue this mission by offering a comprehensive program of performances in conjunction with demonstrations, classes and workshops that affirm both the artistic and community-bonding values of rhythmic expression.
10pm - Kenny Blake Quartet -
Late-night Jazz Cabaret - L'Arte della Vita (tickets)
Intimate late-night jazz shows on Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29 in L'Arte della Vita
1 comment:
Berks Jazz Fest 2008: Kenny Blake
I headed over to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel where the Kenny Blake Quartet was scheduled to appear in the L'Arte della Vita Jazz Cabaret. Despite the fact the Kenny Blake hasn't released an album for a while his name is still held in high esteem and his music is warmly appreciated. He played two sets with his band, he had piano, bass and drums plus a singer who delivered a few songs, some leaning towards pop, but he quickly made up for it with some great instrumentals which made me wonder why he is not more at the forefront of today's music scene. At the end of the concerts the band created quite some heat with their renditions of Herbie's "Cantaloupe Island" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", even Sade's "Smooth Operator" - which has been played to death by various smooth jazz radio stations - created a highlight of the concert. Let's hope that we hear more of this great saxophone player in the future.
Posted by Peter Böhi at 3:14 PM http://www.smoothvibes.com/
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