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 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, October 30, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Bones of Contention
featuring trombonists
Doc Mulligan
Chuck Dressler
Rob Stoneback
and special guest vocalist
Joanna Pascale

Tickets: $10 at door
 

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!

Thursday, November 13, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

CD Release Concert
Uptown JazzUP
featuring
Erich Cawalla and Jen Kinder
plus special guest
Marty Mellinger
and
Dave Fenwick, keyboards
Mike Schwarz, guitar
Lamont Bates, bass
Omer Godinet, drums
Robin Church, trumpet
Billy Bower, saxophone

Tickets: $10 at door

The Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder is making its third appearance at the Jazz Base.

And it will be a special occasion as the band celebrates the release of its debut CD -- Waiting For Her -- which features an adult contemporary sound of jazz, pop, and funk.

The group originated during the Berks Jazz Fest 2006 with the intent to play anything from Motown to rock, pop to funk, country todisco, and, of course, JAZZ!

Cawalla and Kinder both make a full-time living playing music, and are glad to be backed by a group of well-rounded musicians all based out of Eastern Pennsylvania.

The band travels within the Tri-State area quite frequently, including recent performances for Bethlehem Musikfest's Gala and for the PA Coalition Against Rape, which was attended by former Governor Tom Ridge.

In addition to music from the new CD, Jazz Base fans can expect all types of jazz during Uptown's performance.

Thursday, November 20, 2008 / 7:00 p.m.

Suzy Dalton's Jazz Quintet
featuring
Ken Gehret, guitar
Steve Meashey, bass
Pete Souders, sax
Ed Staloksi, drums

Tickets: $10 at door

Vocalist Suzy Dalton has followed an unlikely path to the world of jazz.

While she grew up belting out show tunes at her piano in rural Pennsylvania, for the past decade she has performed as vocalist and bass guitarist for country recording artist, Pat Garrett, sharing the stage with legends like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Charlie Daniels.

A stint playing bass for a blues band re-ignited her desire to sing the music with which she was raised.

"I grew up listening to my parents' records, so the music was ingrained in me early on," says Suzy. "As I went through my career in country, and then became reacquainted with jazz, I realized the artists I liked as a child were Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan."

She lists her strongest influences as Sarah Vaughan, Diania Krall, and Eartha Kitt.

This year, Suzy made her debut at the Berks Jazz Fest. Backed by a quartet of piano, bass, drums, and sax, her show is a variety of jazz standards mixed with the international flair of songs in French, Portugese, and Italian, and just a dash of her country background.

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

WEEU's Big Band Holiday
Kutztown University
Jazz Ensemble I

Tickets: $8 at door.

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

Ken Gehret's Violin Quintet
featuring
Tom Witmer, guitar
Mark Huber, piano
Keith Mohler, bass
Dave Santana, drums
Ken Gehret, violin/vocals

Tickets: $8 at door.

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

A Jazzy Christmas
Tim Warfield Group
featuring special guests
Terell Stafford and Joanna Pascale

Tickets: $8 at door.

Tim Warfield, Terell Stafford and Joanna Pascale are back at he Jazz Base to present their "A Jazzy Christmas" concert.

Last year, the dynamic trip of artists rock the club with an incredible performance. This is a must-see concert -- and a great way to end the 2008 schedule at the Jazz Base.

The York, Pa., native and no stranger to the Jazz Base, has appeared on several Grammy-nominated CDs -– Stefon Harris’ The Grand Unification Theory and Nicholas Payton’s Sonic Trance, as well as on Terell Stafford’s first MaxJazz release, New Beginnings.

Warfield's latest CD, "One for Shirley," an homage to organist Shirley Scott, his late Philly mentor, conjures a variety of resonating moods: spiritual, swinging, smokin' and especially soulful. The CD has been getting great reviews around the country.

The album's title track, a Warfield piece, is particularly enjoyable. An after-hours-like romp, it showcases the reedman's full-throated tenor sax.