Victor Wooten’s virtuosity on the bass is a well-established fact. His influence parallels that of the late bassist Jaco Pastorius, and he is well known for his

solo recordings as well as for being a member of the Grammy-winning Bela Fleck & The Flecktones.

Wooten is coming to the 19th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest with drummer J.D. Blair for their “2 Minds, One Groove” tour.

“It’s a fun duo,” he said. “We haven’t done this in about 10 years. He played on all my records.”

He also is promoting his latest release Palmystery.

Wooten’s talents go beyond his music. He’s a composer, arranger, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, as well as an innovator on the bass guitar.

He also runs a unique camp, Victor Wooten’s Bass/Nature Camp, and wrote a book which was published in 2008.

After his Friday, March 27 show at the Berks Jazz Fest, Wooten will join Gerald Veasley’s Bass Boot Camp for the remainder of the weekend as an instructor.

Recently, Wooten talked about his new book, “The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music,” and where his focus is at these days.

He said that for years, while teaching workshops and running camps, he was asked to write down his philoso-phies.

“My outlook in music is slightly different than most, but I didn’t want to write an instructional manual,” Wooten said, explaining that manuals usually are taken too liter-ally.

So he took a different approach. He wrote a fictional story that people would hopefully take more lightly.

“So even if they aren’t a musician, they could get something from it,” he explained. “In the music world, I had never seen a book like that.”

The book is the story of a struggling young musician who looked for greatness. A teacher appears seemingly out of nowhere, part musical genius and part wise man, and he guides the young musician on a spiritual journey that shows how music mirrors life.

Victor said he began writing “The Music Lesson” three years ago, while on tour.

“After a show, I’d stay up late and write,” he said. “Within a month, it was written. What took a while was rewriting.”

He said he sent it to a few friends who knew how to write, and made a lot of changes from there.

The book’s been reaching who he wanted to and beyond, with feedback coming from musicians as well as people not musically inclined.

“It’s a great feeling, especially since a major company like Pen-guin picked it up,” Victor said. “It’s even better than seeing my first CD. Music’s what I’ve done all my life; writing’s not. It’s really amazing and surprising.”

Right now, he’s halfway through the book’s sequel.Among the other exciting ventures in Victor’s life is the

Bass/Nature Camp. This is the 10th year for his camps, which usually are held in Tennessee, giving him a chance to be home with his wife and four children.

“I can still remember the first one so vividly,” he said. “It’s a chance to bring the instructors to me, not only to teach but I wanted to learn from them.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Reading eagleSPECIAl 19Th ANNUAl VF OUTlET BErkS JAzz FEST PrEVIEw SECTION / SUNDAy, FEBrUAry 22, 2009

wOOTEN Discography / 19th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest Schedule of PerformancesVolunteer Spotlight / UPTOwN JAzzUP / Chuck loeb’s Berks Jazz Fest Forecast

by dana l. hoffman

2 & 34

sunday, march 292:00 p.m.: Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener Appreciation DayAverage White Band plus Pieces of a DreamReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $393:00 p.m.: Jewish Federation of Reading ConcertAnat CohenMiller Center for the Arts: $28Co-sponsored by Jewish Federation of Reading/JCC including congregations, Kesher Zion and Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom

7:30 p.m.: Smooth and Soulful. . .Take 6 plus Wayman TisdaleScottish Rite Cathedral: $49

monday, march 307:30 p.m.: WXPN welcomesBéla Fleck: The Africa ProjectMiller Center for the Arts: $457:30 p.m.United States Army Jazz AmbassadorsReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: FREE Tickets will be distributed February 23

tuesday, march 317:30 p.m.United States Army Jazz Ambassadors plus the Berks County High School All-Star BandReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: FREE Tickets will be distributed February 237:30 p.m.Andy Narell and the Catonsville High School Steel Drum BandMiller Center for the Arts: $20

friday, march 277:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.The Tierney Sutton BandGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $307:30 p.m.: Opening Night ConcertPeter White and Mindi AbairScottish Rite Cathedral: $497:30 p.m.: Severn Records PresentsSevern Soul & Blues Revue featuring Steve Guyger, Big Joe Maher, Tad Robinson, Roy Tyler and New Directions, and the Severn Records All-Star BandThe Inn at Reading: $3810:00 p.m.Joe McBride & Kenny BlakeThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $2010:30 p.m.: World-Renowned BassistVictor WootenReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39

saturday, march 282:00 p.m.: Sax for StaxGerald Albright & Kirk WhalumReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $393:00 p.m.: The Music of Gershwin and PorterDoc Mulligan and FriendsMiller Center for the Arts: $187:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Fusion at the BaseSteve Smith & Vital InformationGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $307:30 p.m.: An Evening WithBrian CulbertsonScottish Rite Cathedral: $497:30 p.m.: Severn Records PresentsSevern Soul & Blues Revue featuring Clarence Spady, Darrell Nulisch, Lou Pride, and the Severn Records All-Star BandThe Inn at Reading: $3810:00 p.m.Uptown JAZZUP featuring Erich Cawalla & Jen KinderThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $1510:30 p.m.: The Music of Stevie WonderGerald Veasley Band with Najee, Nnenna Freelon, Joe McBride and the Berks Jazz Fest HornsReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39

friday, april 37:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery TributeBobby Lyle & Paul Jackson Jr.Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $357:30 p.m.: Jason Miles presentsSoul Summit II featuring Richard Elliot, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius, Maysa, Simone, Bob Babbitt, Reggie Young, Steve Ferrone and the original Soul Survivors plus the Berks Jazz Fest HornsScottish Rite Cathedral: $497:30 p.m.: An Evening WithPhoebe SnowMiller Center for the Arts: $4510:00 p.m.: Late-Night BluesThe Billy Price Band featuring special guest Fred ChapellierThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $2510:00 p.m.: Celebrating “Kind of Blue”Tim Price & Rachel Z and the Department of Good and EvilThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $1510:30 p.m.The Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Kim WatersReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39

wednesday, april 1 7:00 p.m.: Bebop, Ballads and BluesBrian Bromberg QuartetGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $207:30 p.m.: Blues-Rock Guitar VirtuosoJoe Bonamassa plus opening act Marianne KeithReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $397:30 p.m.Giordano Jazz Dance ChicagoKutztown University Schaeffer Auditorium: $30; $27 students

thursday, april 27:00 p.m.Guitar Summit: Ken Gehret, Tom Witmer, Gary Wensel, Pete RogoskyGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $157:30 p.m.Chieli Minucci & Special EFX with the Berks Jazz Fest HornsThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $3510:00 p.m.: Party at the PlazaBerks All-Star Jazz Jam: Rick Braun, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Dave Weckl, Bobby Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell, Matt Marshak, Richard Elliot Reading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39

thursday, march 267:00 p.m.: Berks Jazz Fest Preview ConcertKutztown University Jazz Faculty Group featuring Kevin Kjos, Scott Lee, Cathy Chemi, Alan Apple, Allison Miller and David CullenGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $10 at door

sunday, april 52:00 p.m.: Smooth Jazz 92.7 Listener Appreciation DayDavid Benoit plus Warren HillReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $392:00 p.m.: My American SongbookNelson Rangell and the Reading Pops OrchestraMiller Center for the Arts: $407:00 p.m.: Festival FinaleJazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Jonathan ButlerScottish Rite Cathedral: $49

saturday, april 42:00 p.m.: Golden Gate Groove Double-HeaderEast Bay Soul featuring Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Michael Paulo, Lee Thornburg plus Joyce Cooling BandReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $397:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.: Fusion SaturdayMetro featuring Chuck Loeb, Mitch Forman, Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker, Gerald Veasley, Bob FrancesciniGerald Veasley’s Jazz Base at the Reading Crowne Hotel: $357:30 p.m.: An Evening WithBoney JamesScottish Rite Cathedral: $497:30 p.m.: An Evening WithMcCoy Tyner QuartetMiller Center for the Arts: $45This tour engagement of McCoy Tyner is funded through the American Masterpieces program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius, a major initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.

10:00 p.m.: Back by Popular DemandRick Braun’s Tribute to Chet BakerThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom: $3510:00 p.m.: Celebrating “Kind of Blue”Tim Price & Rachel Z and the Department of Good and EvilThe Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret: $1510:30 p.m.: WXPN welcomesThe Derek Trucks BandReading Crowne Hotel Ballroom: $39

phoebe snow

take 6

andy narell

gerald veasley

béla fleck: the africa project

tierney sutton

brian bromberg

DISC

OGRA

PHYCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In April, Victor and his wife will celebrate their first-ever camp on their own property.

“We’ve been building it all year,” he said. “Past campers and friends have come to Tennessee to help build it. In one weekend, we built a two-story classroom and a 2,000-foot dome structure. At the beginning of April, we’ll have another building weekend and run our first camp at the end of April.”

Lately, he’s been taking some time off to be home with his family after his back-to-back tours with SMV (with Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller) and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.

“I’m at a good place musically where I’m able now to do less touring and spend more time with my family,” he said.

He’s been enjoying success in so many areas of his life. So just what is his true focus right now?

“As far as my career -- sharing ideas with people and helping people break through their own struggles,” Victor said. “With music and life -- we all make them harder than they need to be.”

Victor certainly has the wisdom to back that up. He was successful at a young age, playing with his brothers professionally at age 5 as part of the Wooten Brothers Band.

“My parents always said, ‘You boys are already successful; the rest of the world just doesn’t know it yet,’ ” he said.

His overall goal has always been to be a good person.“Once you’re a good person, you will be successful,” he said. “You may not be rich

with money but you’ll be rich in life, rich in family and friends. I have that, and beyond.”He said it is easy to lose sight of what’s important, but with his upbringing, “I never

lost sight of what’s real to me,” he said. “I’m living life from the inside out.”

PALMYSTERY2008

BÉLA FLECK AND THE FLECKTONES1990

FLIGHT OF THE COSMIC HIPPO1991

UFO TOFU1992

SOUL CIRCUS2005

SOLO

WITH BÉLA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES

VF OUTLET BERKS JAZZ FESTmccoy tyner

major concerts

SPECIAL 19TH ANNUAL VF OUTLET BERKS JAZZ FEST PREVIEW SECTION / Reading eagle / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 20092

for ticket, artist, venue and hotel information, visit

www.berksjazzfest.com

rick braun

the derek trucks band

chuck loeb

david benoitmindi

abair

boney james

billy price & fred

chapellier

average white band

THREE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST1993

LIVE ART1996

LEFT OF COOL1998

OUTBOUND2000

LIVE AT THE QUICK2002

LITTLE WORLDS2003

THE HIDDEN LAND2006

JINGLE ALL THE WAY2008

LIVE IN AMERICA2001

YIN-YANG1999

WHAT DID HE SAY?1997

A SHOW OF HANDS1996

THUNDER2008

WITH S.M.V.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTSsponsors

presented by

festival sponsor

hotels

FOUNDATION

local events*

SpECIAL 19TH ANNUAL VF OUTLET BERKS JAzz FEST pREVIEW SECTION / Reading eagle / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009 3

* Cover or music charge may apply

friday, march 27 11:30 a.m.: Berks Jazz Fest Kickoff LunchThe Groovemasters featuring Bennie Sims & Cliff StarkeyThe Peanut Bar Restaurant

11:30 a.m.: BC and the Blues Crewjudy’s...on cherry

6:30 p.m.: Neil WrightAdrienne’s Inn at Centre Park

7 p.m.: Connie Rainis, Randy Sarles & FriendsGracie’s 21st Century Café

7 p.m.: Carl Zeplin & Tim GrossThe Inn at Moselem Springs

8 p.m.: By RequestThe Evergreen Club

8 p.m.: Blues NightCOCODeCarlo’s Bar & Grill

9 p.m.: Skip Moyer Jazz DuoThe Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse

9:30 p.m.: D3 & CompanyBlind Hartman’s Tavern

9:30 p.m.: Dance Hall DocsCanal Street Pub & Restaurant

10 p.m.: Josh Taylor TrioBixler’s Lodge

saturday, march 28 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Fest for KidsCows Don’t Fly & Other Well-Known FactsInstitute of the Arts

11:30 a.m.: Brazilian Jazz BrunchKen Gehret and Braziliancejudy’s...on cherry

Noon: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food Court

1 p.m.: Blues LunchLil’ RaguThe Pike Café

1 p.m.: Exeter Community BandHopewell Furnace National Historic Site

2 p.m.: The Reese ProjectThe Manor at Market Square

4 p.m.: Rittenhouse Jazz QuartetAtonement Lutheran Church

4 p.m.: Early Bird Dinner MusicCliff StarkeyUpland Café

7 p.m.: Children’s Alopecia Project’s Spring SpectacularReminisceVF Designer’s Place

8 p.m.: Krypton City Blues BandDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill

9:30 p.m.: Dave Mell Blues BandBlind Hartman’s Tavern

10 p.m.: The Standard Quartet featuring Carl Zeplin, Tim Gross, Trey LaRue and Matt CullenBixler’s Lodge

sunday, march 29 10 a.m.: Jazz WorshipJazz Combo & Big Band plus Kutztown Middle School Jazz BandSt. John’s United Church of Christ, Kutztown

10 a.m.: Bagels & BachSIORAReading Public Museum

Noon: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food Court

Noon: Neil Wright TrioGracie’s 21st Century Café

2 p.m.: International Jazz AfternoonNewpoli-Southern Italian Folk EnsembleFrancis Hall Auditorium, Alvernia College

2 p.m.: BVNA 100th Anniversary Celebration Deanna Reuben Berks Visiting Nurses Association/Wyomissing

3 p.m.: Joyful JazzBeverly McDevitt & Michael TrachSt. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Reading

4 p.m.: Blues DinnerDuck Soup & the Fowl Mouth HornsThe Pike Café

tuesday, march 31 7 p.m.: Skip Moyer BandReading Liederkranz

7:30 p.m.: An Evening of Jazz/FunkBig Beat TornadoHoly Cross United Methodist Church/Reading

wednesday, april 1 5:30 p.m.: David CullenBensi Ristorante Italiano

6:30 p.m.: Skip Moyer Jazz TrioBlind Hartman’s Tavern

6:30 p.m.: Deanna ReubenDans Restaurant

7:30 p.m.: Neil WrightCousin’s Pub/Shoemakersville

8 p.m.: The Suzy Dalton Jazz QuintetThe Peanut Bar Restaurant

thursday, april 2 6:30 p.m.: Neil Wright & Diana DupreDans Restaurant

8 p.m.: David CullenUpland Café

8 p.m.: Bobby Newton & FriendsDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill

friday, april 3 11:30 a.m.: David CullenBensi Ristorante Italiano

6:30 p.m.: Ray Allen & FriendsGalen Hall Country Club

7 p.m.: Neil WrightGracie’s 21st Century Café

8 p.m.: Pretzel City Dixieland Jazz BandThe Evergreen Club

8 p.m.: Jim MeckCousin’s Pub/Shoemakersville

9 p.m.: Bluzin with Bev ConklinThe Speckled Hen Cottage Pub & Alehouse

9 p.m.: BunchafunkDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill

9:30 p.m.: Blues Party Duck Soup & the Fowl Mouth HornsBlind Hartman’s Tavern

10 p.m.: Carl Zeplin & Tim GrossBixler’s Lodge

saturday, april 4 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Fest for KidsCows Don’t Fly & Other Well-Known FactsInstitute of the Arts

Noon: Jimmy Z’s Bone Tom Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food Court

1 p.m.: Jazz/Blues LunchD3 & CompanyThe Pike Café

7:30 p.m.: The Suzy Dalton Jazz QuintetYR Club

8 p.m.: Uniques featuring James TisdaleDeCarlo’s Bar & Grill

9 p.m.: Rob Diener & AnomalyCanal Street Pub & Restaurant

9 p.m.: Seth Mellon & Gerry WernerUpland Café

9:30 p.m.: Blues Night Lil’ Ragu Blind Hartman’s Tavern10 p.m.: Skip Moyer TrioBixler’s Lodge

sunday, april 5 Noon: Jimmy Z’s Bone Tom Jazz BandVF Outlet Complex at the Food Court

Noon: Jazz BrunchConnie Rainis, Randy Sarles & FriendsGracie’s 21st Century Café

12:30 p.m.: David CullenDans Restaurant

4 p.m.: David Cullen & Kelly MeasheyBixler’s Lodge

4 p.m.: Blues DinnerDave Mell Blues BandThe Pike Café

• www.berksjazzfest.com and order directly online• Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com• Sovereign Center Box Office, Seventh and Penn streets, Reading, PA 19602

how to purchase tickets

Special 19th annual VF Outlet BerkS Jazz FeSt preView SectiOn / Reading eagle / Sunday, FeBruary 22, 20094

As well as spotlighting some of today’s hottest jazz artists, the VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest also gives

regional and local groups a unique opportunity to showcase their talents.

UPtown JazzUP featuring Erich Cawalla & Jenifer Kinder will be performing at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel Jazz Cabaret on Saturday, March 28, at 10 p.m. during the 19th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest.

The band, based out of Shillington, has been playing in the Northeast for about three years, and Cawalla and Kinder have been performing together for about six.

The band at this year’s jazz fest show will be: Erich Cawalla, lead vocals, saxophone; Jenifer Kinder, lead vocals, percussion; Mike Schwartz, guitar, vocals; Dave Fenwick, piano, vocals; Lamont Bates, bass; Omer Godinet, drums, vocals; and Robin Church, trumpet; and Billy Bower, saxophone.

They usually perform as a seven or eight-piece band, but Bower is joining them for this special jazz fest show, Cawalla said.

This past November, UPtown JazzUP released their debut CD, Waiting for Her, with a show at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base in the Reading Crowne Hotel (formerly Sheraton Reading Hotel).

Cawalla, 29, described the CD as being an “adult contemporary mix.” It was locally produced and engineered by Marty Mellinger at Schoolhouse Productions in Leesport.

Kinder, 34, said the Jazz Base show was one of the highlights of her career.

“It was my first time performing original songs in front of an audience,” she said.

Cawalla said a stand-ing room-only crowd of more than 200 people came out to celebrate their release.

He described their upcoming jazz fest show as being very audience interactive, featuring a mix of jazz, blues, funk and pop, as well as material from the debut CD.

Both Cawalla and Kinder have been featured soloists with the Reading Pops Orchestra and Hershey Big Band.

UPtown JazzUP will be playing at this year’s Musikfest in Bethlehem.

“[The band members] are all very accomplished musicians,” Cawalla said.

Waiting for Her is available at CD Exchange, on cdbaby.com and iTunes, as well as their Web site.

The VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest wouldn’t be possible each year without its many incredibly dedicated volunteers.

Some, like Steve and Joanne Philipczak, have been involved with the festival almost since its beginning.

Owners of CD Exchange, a music store in Stabon Pond Plaza in Mohnton, Joanne and Steve were approached by festival management 17 years ago to help out.

They began by working production for the then-Sheraton Ballroom shows, under the leader-ship of Mike Anderson, another longtime jazz fest supporter, volunteer and musician.

“We did load-ins and load-outs of equipment, house lights, water and towels for the artists,” Joanne explained.

When the Gerald Veasley Jazz Base opened in the former Sheraton Reading Hotel, now the Reading Crowne Hotel, in 2005, they became stage managers for that venue during the jazz fest.

“We make sure artists are there on time; when things happen we give our assistance; we do basic stage setup,” said Steve.

Joanne said the long days and nights have proven to be the most challenging part of their duties.

“It’s amazing when you see what goes into a show,” Steve said. “You realize how much work people do to pull something like that off.”

“For a two-hour show, it’s an all-day and all-night event,” Joanne said.

Steve said sometimes artists need something, so they have to scramble to find it or call around to get it.

“I like working with musicians,” Steve said. “For the most part, they’re really terrific to work with.”

He also got to meet some of his favorite musicians, such as Pat Martino and Sam Bush.

Joanne said the jazz fest volunteers have become like a family over the years.

The Philipczaks’ commitment to the festival fits into the fabric of their everyday lives. They are true music lovers.

“Everything we do is musically related,” Steve said. At CD Exchange, they sell new and used CDs

and vinyl, music DVDs, accessories, hardware and storage systems, and Steve builds custom speakers through his business, Rendition Audio. They’ve been in business with CD Exchange for almost 22 years, and Joanne is known for her expertise in tracking down special orders for music lovers. She said they cater to audiophiles. To the uninitiated, an audiophile is one who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction.

The store also is the box office for Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base for its regular weekly shows (not during the Berks Jazz Fest), as well as the official box office for the Reading Pops Orchestra and the “Sunday with the Pops” series at the Miller Center for the Arts.

The store has become an informal meeting place of sorts for local music lovers. On any given Saturday, up to 10 people can be found talking and listening to music. Joanne said they place an emphasis on promoting local artists.

Joanne has been on the other side of the stage, too. She narrated numerous Ladies of Jazz shows, including one with The Last Big Band at the 2007 Berks Jazz Fest.

“It was kind of nice on the other side of things,” she said. “The meals were provided, the stage is set up, everything is ready to go. It’s nice to be on the other side.”

VOlu

ntee

r Sp

Otli

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CD Exchange and Rendition Audio (custom speakers)

OwnERs: steve and Joanne Philipczak

OPEnED: May 1987

LOCAtiOn: stabon Pond Plaza, 360 E. wyomissing Ave., Mohnton, PA 19540

PhOnE: 610-777-2310

wEb sitE: www.cdexchangemusic.com

hOuRs:tuesdays and wednesdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.thursdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Fridays and saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CD Exchange is the official box office for Gerald Veasley’s Jazz base and the Reading Pops Orchestra’s sunday with the Pops series.

Joanne and steve Philipczak have been operating CD Exchange for 22 years.

F.y.i.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 • 10 P.M.thE AbRAhAM LinCOLn hOtEL JAZZ CABARET • TICKETS $15

TO PURCHASE TICKETS:• WWW.BERKSJAZZFEST.COM• TICKETMASTER: 1-800-745-3000 OR WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM• SOVEREIGN CENTER BOX OFFICE

See them liVe!

lOcal talent / uptOwn Jazzup

Single-digit temperatures, a whipping wind-chill factor that drives them below zero; snow, hail, freezing rain;

gloves, ski hats, snow boots, layers of sweaters, ear-muffs, shovels, picks, salt, de-icer, and sand on the roads; that’s what is going on outside of my window at the moment.

There is no doubt about it – it’s winter.But, as I sit down to write this article, my heart is warmed

by the thought that in just one short month, I will make my eighth visit to the Berks Jazz Fest. I already can feel the early spring sunshine and light breeze that will be in the air, along with the melodious sound of great jazz – just what the doctor ordered.

I have loved every year that I have been blessed to be part of the Berks festival, and this year portends to be another great event.

For me, I am very excited to announce that I have a new CD that will hit the streets just a few days before the fest starts. The title of the CD on the Heads Up label is Between 2 Worlds.

This CD project is a bit of a departure for me.

As many of my fans know, my wife, Carmen Cuesta, is from Spain, and we spend quite a bit of time going back and forth between the states and there. I also travel to Europe quite a bit on tour, and over the years have developed many musical friendships.

This partly explains the album title. I recorded about half of the CD in Europe (Berlin, Germany), and the other half here in New York City.

I based the project on the guitar trio format. That means that the basic unit on the CD is myself on guitar, with just a bassist and drummer, and there are some great drummers and bassists on it.

On the European side, I enlisted the wonderful German drummer Wolfgang Haffner, who has performed with me at the Berks fest several times (notably as part of the Tribute to Wes Montgomery concert), and bassist Dieter Ilg.

On the American trios, I have the great Will Lee, and Berks hometown hero Gerald Veasley on bass, and the inimitable drum virtuoso Dave Weckl.

It is not just a trio project however. I also have guest soloists Eric Marienthal, Till Brönner, Brian Culbertson, David Charles, Bashiri Johnson, and others on the CD.

I’m real happy that the wonderful Berks Jazz fest fans will be among the first to sample the new music.

As usual, I will be very busy during the festival.I will be introducing the fusion project “Metro” – a

cooperative band I have been a member of since 1994. This “Special Edition” version of the band will include Mitch Forman on keys, Gerald Veasley on bass, Dave Weckl on drums, the legendary Randy Brecker on trumpet, and Bobby Francescini on sax.

Metro will showcase songs from its latest CD Express, as well as pieces from five other releases during the two concerts at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base (Friday, April 4, 7 and 10 p.m.). During those shows, I will showcase some of the new music from Between 2 Worlds.

The Jazz Base is my very favorite intimate venue at the Berks Jazz Fest. Great vibe. I will also be there on Wednes-day, April 1 (7 p.m.) sharing the stage with bassist extraor-dinaire Brian Bromberg, along with Forman and Weckl.

Then there’s the annual Berks All-Star Jazz Jam!The jam session (Thursday, April 2, Reading Crowne

Hotel, 10 p.m.) is always a highlight for me at Berks. This year marks the fifth time I will hosting the event.

The lineup is so spectacular that it is almost an embar-rassment of riches: Rick, Gerald Veasley, Brian Bromberg, Chieli Minucci, Paul Jackson Jr., Mike Marshak, Dave Weckl, Bobby Lyle, Mitch Forman, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, Nelson Rangell, Richard Elliot.

Hold on to your hats!On top of all that, I will be hosting my annual guitar clinic

“String Training” (no cleats required) on the afternoon of Saturday, April 4, at the Reading Crowne Hotel.

This year is a historic one in many ways, and I know there are a lot of challenges that we all face.

It’s nice to know that for 10 days in March and April we can let music occupy our heart, minds and souls – and we know that the forecast is for clear, sunny skies ahead.

by dana l. hoffman

by dana l. hoffman

BerkS Jazz FeSt FOrecaStchuck lOeB’S

www.uptownbandmusic.comwww.myspace.com/theuptownbandmusicFor more info on uptOwn Jazzup: