IJazzCafe

Grammy winning keyboardist, arranger, producer and founder of Fourplay, Bob James, talks with Diane Dayton about performances at Berks Jazz Fest. Bob shares thoughts on the early years of the band; how Kirk Whalum became the next member; and reflects on the influence and impact of Chuck Loeb on Fourplay. Fourplay is scheduled Saturday, April 7 at 10 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Artists from all over the world will be a part of the Remembering Chuck Loeb tribute on Sunday, April 8, at 7 p.m. at Santander Performing Arts Center. Bob gives insight on what the Berks Jazz Fest meant to Chuck Loeb

Fabulous vocalist Maysa Leak talks to Diane Dayton about her appearances at Berks Jazz Fest. Maysa is featured with Incognito on Saturday, April 14, at 10 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Maysa shares how she grew as a singer with Incognito and the positive uplifting music. Maysa also is part of Kirk Whalum’s Gospel According to Jazz Celebration on Sunday, April 15, at 6 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. She shares her excitement about being a part of GATJ show. Maysa also talks about how her Facebook Live Streaming has grown on Sunday nights with Maysa’s Karoke Sundays.

Elan Trotman talks with Diane Dayton of Cool Jazz Cafe about his appearances at the Berks Jazz Fest. Elan is bringing The Caribbean Connection to Berks with special guests Bernie Williams and Nestor Torres on Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Club ECP at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Elan also will also be a part of the Berks All- Star Jazz Jam on Thursday, April 12, at DoubleTree and Gerald Veasley’s Midnight Jams the same weekend at The Inn at Reading. Elan shares thoughts about his “Never Lose Your Drive Foundation,” and how life changing his music education program has been in Barbados, providing instruments, instruction and support.

Erich Cawalla shares time with Diane Dayton of Cool Jazz Cafe about his appearances at the Berks Jazz Fest, including Jazzin’ Up the Pops with the Reading Pops Orchestra on Sunday, April 8, at 3:00 p.m. at the Miller Center for the Arts when he presents new music arrangements from his upcoming CD. Since 1996, Erich has been involved with the Berks Jazz Fest starting with the Berks County All-Star Jazz Band. He talks about the opportunities it has provided. Erich lists his many other performances with various groups at local venues during the fest. As a music teacher, Erich is making a difference with music education in the community.

Chieli Minucci talks about his performances at the Berks Jazz Fest with Diane Dayton. The fest kicks off on Friday, April 6, and Chieli brings the Special EFX All-Stars to the Inn at Reading at 7:30 p.m. with Eric Marienthal, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs and Gerald Veasley; he gives insight to the direction of the band and what to expect that night. Chieli will also be on stage at the high energy and spontaneous Midnight Jams hosted by Gerald Veasley on Friday and Saturday nights April 6 & 7, also at the Inn at Reading. As a part of the Remembering Chuck Loeb evening on Sunday, April 8, at 7 p.m. at Santander Performing Arts Center, Chieli reflects on Chuck and shares how they first met. Chieli also fondly remembers his own first performance at Berks Jazz Fest over two decades ago.

iJazzCafe: with Jackiem Joyner recorded 6-29-17 at South

Delivering on his promise to “Evolve,” the title of Jackiem Joyner’s last soul-jazz album, the saxophonist became a father since his 2014 release, an elation-inducing experience that informs the music he wrote and produced for his new Artistry Music set, “Main Street Beat,” due June 30. The first single from the funky, dance inspiring, Motown-influenced session that will be shipped to radio this month is the exultant “Trinity,” named for Joyner’s first child whose presence on the track is voiced by Steve Oliver’s incandescent acoustic guitar.

Joyner approached crafting “Main Street Beat” with a three-pronged purpose. “I wanted to create something upbeat, fun to listen to and something to dance to. ‘Main Street Beat’ originally started off as a straight funk record that eventually became some of that, but a whole lot more as I allowed the creative process to have its way with me,” said Joyner, a Billboard chart-topper who plays tenor, alto, soprano and baritone saxophone on the date, often enriching the tracks by laying layer upon layer of horns to form a powerhouse sax section.

The exuberant album opener, “Main Street,” exemplifies the mighty wall-of-horns approach with Joyner playing lead harmonies on alto reinforced by his sax section. Instead of tracking individually, Joyner brought the band – drummer Raymond Johnson, bassist Darryl Williams, electric guitarist Kyle Bolden and piano player Carnell Harrell – into the studio to record six tracks old-school style, including “Back To Motown.” Nick Colionne guests on “When You Smile” to flash his cool electric jazz guitar on the infectious mid-tempo R&B cut. Taking his alto sax chops out for a strut, Joyner cranks up the band for a fiery funk romp down “Southside Boulevard,” one of three tunes that adds Nikolai Egorov’s trombone muscle to the horn section. On a pair of urban joints – “That Good Thing” and “Don’t Make Her Wait” – Joyner plays soprano sax. He takes full command on the stormy “Addicted,” playing every instrument heard on the moody number. “Think James Brown on tenor sax” is how Joyner describes the super funky “Get Down Street.” A pair of high-energy pop-R&B covers – Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Bruno Mars’ “Treasure” – complete the outing, songs Joyner elected to record based upon their buoyant, positive nature, which he says mirrors his young offspring’s personality.

“My little girl played a huge role in inspiring this album. Having Trinity around during the writing process sparked an enormous font of creativity and really kicked my writing into high gear. The first single, named after her, really captures the excitement and joy of being a dad as well as the exciting little girl that she is. Trinity was right there in the studio during a lot of the writing process. Her jumpy and bouncy upbeat little self is really reflected on this album,” said Joyner, who will launch the record with June concerts in Cincinnati (June 9 at A Celebration of Black Music), Birmingham (June 11 at Jazz in the Park), San Diego (June 25 at Mediterranean’s Jazz and Supper Club) and Philadelphia (June 29 at South).

iJazzCafe: with Jackiem Joyner recorded 6-29-17 at South

Delivering on his promise to “Evolve,” the title of Jackiem Joyner’s last soul-jazz album, the saxophonist became a father since his 2014 release, an elation-inducing experience that informs the music he wrote and produced for his new Artistry Music set, “Main Street Beat,” due June 30. The first single from the funky, dance inspiring, Motown-influenced session that will be shipped to radio this month is the exultant “Trinity,” named for Joyner’s first child whose presence on the track is voiced by Steve Oliver’s incandescent acoustic guitar.

Joyner approached crafting “Main Street Beat” with a three-pronged purpose. “I wanted to create something upbeat, fun to listen to and something to dance to. ‘Main Street Beat’ originally started off as a straight funk record that eventually became some of that, but a whole lot more as I allowed the creative process to have its way with me,” said Joyner, a Billboard chart-topper who plays tenor, alto, soprano and baritone saxophone on the date, often enriching the tracks by laying layer upon layer of horns to form a powerhouse sax section.

The exuberant album opener, “Main Street,” exemplifies the mighty wall-of-horns approach with Joyner playing lead harmonies on alto reinforced by his sax section. Instead of tracking individually, Joyner brought the band – drummer Raymond Johnson, bassist Darryl Williams, electric guitarist Kyle Bolden and piano player Carnell Harrell – into the studio to record six tracks old-school style, including “Back To Motown.” Nick Colionne guests on “When You Smile” to flash his cool electric jazz guitar on the infectious mid-tempo R&B cut. Taking his alto sax chops out for a strut, Joyner cranks up the band for a fiery funk romp down “Southside Boulevard,” one of three tunes that adds Nikolai Egorov’s trombone muscle to the horn section. On a pair of urban joints – “That Good Thing” and “Don’t Make Her Wait” – Joyner plays soprano sax. He takes full command on the stormy “Addicted,” playing every instrument heard on the moody number. “Think James Brown on tenor sax” is how Joyner describes the super funky “Get Down Street.” A pair of high-energy pop-R&B covers – Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Bruno Mars’ “Treasure” – complete the outing, songs Joyner elected to record based upon their buoyant, positive nature, which he says mirrors his young offspring’s personality.

“My little girl played a huge role in inspiring this album. Having Trinity around during the writing process sparked an enormous font of creativity and really kicked my writing into high gear. The first single, named after her, really captures the excitement and joy of being a dad as well as the exciting little girl that she is. Trinity was right there in the studio during a lot of the writing process. Her jumpy and bouncy upbeat little self is really reflected on this album,” said Joyner, who will launch the record with June concerts in Cincinnati (June 9 at A Celebration of Black Music), Birmingham (June 11 at Jazz in the Park), San Diego (June 25 at Mediterranean’s Jazz and Supper Club) and Philadelphia (June 29 at South).

Brian Culbertson brings the funk to the 27th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest! Brian shares thoughts on his funk show and a new romantic album to be released Valentine’s Day 2018 where he is producing and playing everything! Details about his passion for wine and Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, how he and his wife met and are celebrating a 20 year anniversary, plus a music clip from Berks!

Keiko Matsui at the 27th Annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest! Her 27th album “Journey to the Heart,” in gratitude to her fans. A brief talk before her show at Berks, Keiko shares thoughts about 4 generations of fans, a connection to the piano, music’s magical power with audiences around the world and a music clip from Berks!