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Yellow House Hotel Bed & Breakfast
http://netjunction.com/yhh
"Getaways" are getting harder to find. But amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still a few old-style pleasures within quick and easy reach.
Come to rural Berks County for fine dining and beautiful overnight accommodations. See why we chose Yellow House Hotel Bed & Breakfast as our home away from home during the Berks Jazz Festival 2003. Make it your private getaway soon!
Are You Experienced?
Jimi Hendrix Traveling Museum coming to the FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest!
The Jimi Hendrix Red House Tour will part of the FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest. The Jimi Hendrix Traveling Museum is sponsored by the Hendrix family and is free to the public. Bigger than life photography and graphics display the guitarist’s legendary career. Other displays include guitars, wardrobe and records.
In-Flyte March 2003
What does one do for 10 days in March, during the final month of winter in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch farmland and outlet malls boasting 6 million shoppers?
For the past 12 seasons, smooth jazz fans have trekked to the Berks Jazz Festival in Reading, Pennsylvania, to celebrate the genre- its’ artists and their music. Sponsored in partnership with First Energy and the Berks Arts Council, this year promises to be even more electric and eclectic than years past; hosting talents from Smooth/Contemporary, Latin, Cuban, Caribbean and New Orleans Jazz genres, Blues and Old School. As in prior years, one of the most anticipated festival highlights will be the Berks All-Star Jazz Jam.
The FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest is one of the largest jazz festivals on the East Coast. Last year it attracted approximately 40,000 fans from 36 states as well as from Puerto Rico, Italy, Holland, Canada and England. This year's festival includes more than 120 events at major venues, restaurants and clubs throughout Reading and Berks County, PA.
Berks Arts Council is the premier arts organization in Berks County, Pennsylvania, whose mission is to encourage and promote all of the arts, to develop an appreciation of the arts, and to enrich and enhance the quality of life in Berks County.
Formally organized as a non-profit organization in 1971, the Berks Arts Council is funded in part through grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the City of Reading, the County of Berks, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Berks Community Foundation, corporate sponsors, memberships and earned revenue. The Berks Arts Council also serves as a resource and referral service for artists and those interested in making a connection with the arts.
The Festival has become an internationally recognized host of premier smooth jazz, as well as a showcase for rising stars, up and coming talent and a grassroots stepping-stone for future young lions. Many of today’s celebrated artists not only perform here but also serve as clinicians in the various workshops offered each season for the gifted rising talents of tomorrow.
Poncho Sanchez, Gato Barbieri, Boney James, Pieces of a Dream, Philadelphia native, Gerald Veasley, Jeff Kashiwa, hot, new saxophonist, Mindi Abair and 2002 National Smooth Jazz Award winning Best Band- The Rippingtons, featuring Russ Freeman, are only some of the 100+ artists scheduled to perform at this year’s festival, which begins on Friday, March 21, 2003.
Whether it’s opening night with Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band with the Reading Symphony Orchestra on March 21st, an early Sunday afternoon of jazz with Grammy™ nominees The Yellowjackets on March 23rd, "New Orleans Mardi Gras Night" with Dirty Dozen Brass Band plus Barbone Street Jazz Band, a romantic evening with the vocal stylings of Peabo Bryson or a lesson in “Groovology” with saxman Gerald Albright, there is a flavor for every taste at Berks.
Located 58.5 miles SW of Philadelphia, First Energy Berks Jazz Fest is easily accessible. Host hotels are offering special deals, including free tickets to the Comedy Club. For more information, including the complete schedule, artists’ lineup and lodging information, log on to their website: http://www.berksjazzfest.com
Upcoming Releases:
February
Steve Cole, Steve Cole (Warner Brothers - 2/11)
Orna, The Very Thought Of You (A440 Music Group - 2/18)
Mindi Abair - It Just Happens That Way (GRP - 2/25)
Spyro Gyra - Original Cinema (Heads Up International- 2/25)
Wayne Shorter - Alegria (Verve - 2/25)
March
Crusaders –“Rural Renewal” (GRP - 3/4)
Nelson Rangell – “Look Again” (A440 - 3/11)
Jeff Lorber, Philly Style (Narada Jazz - 3/11)
Walter Beasley, Go With The Flow (N-Coded - 3/11)
Jeff Lorber, Philly Style (Narada Jazz - 3/11)
John Patitucci, Songs, Stories & Spirituals (JVC Victor - 3/11)
Acoustic Alchemy, Sounds Of St. Lucia (Image Entertainment - 3/11)
Richard Elliot – “Ricochet: (GRP - 3/13)
Grover Washington, Jr., Feels So Good/Secret Place (Raven- 3/18)
Tom Schuman, Schuman Nature (Jazz Bridge – 3/18)
Doc Powell –“97th & Columbus” (Heads Up International - 3/25)
Stanley Clarke: 1,2 To The Bass (Sony/Epic - 3/25)
Steve Cole, Steve Cole (Warner Brothers- 3/25)
Richard Smith - TBA (Native Language)
April 2003
Chris Standring, Groovaliscious (Mesa/Blue Moon - 4/1)
Gerald Veasley, Velvet (Heads Up - 4/22)
Regina Carter, Paganini: After A Dream (Verve - 4/22)
Paul Taylor, Steppin' Out (Peak - 4/22)
Candy Dulfer, Right In My Soul (4/28) Richard Elliot, Ricochet (GRP - 4/29)
CD Reviews:
The Crusaders – Rural Renewal (GRP Records)
The much-anticipated reunion CD has arrived. After more than 20 years, original band members of the Crusaders: Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, and Stix Hooper reunite, with an impressive supporting cast: Eric Clapton and Ray Parker, Jr. on guitars, Freddie Washington on bass, Lenny Castro on percussion and Donnie McClurkin on vocals, “…recreating their signature blend of jazz, blues, and R&B” on their new release, Rural Renewal (Verve).
Inspired by the events of 9/11, the band creates gospel jazz with ‘A Healing Coming On’ featuring Donnie McClurkin on vocals and the Sounds of Blackness providing the choral background. Put on your ‘Sunday-go-to-meetin’ best’ and your ‘go-to-hell hat’, ‘cause there’s gonna be some soul-stirrin’ up in here this evenin’!
Sample revisits “Vive de Funk”- full of sass and Texas funk, befitting the Houston heavy-hitters- ah-h, very nice! Guest guitarist, Eric Clapton, serves up an electrifying performance on “Creepin” tailor-made for smooth- contemporary jazz airplay and enjoyment.
The band is gearing up for live performance dates this Spring and Summer, in select major markets, we’re told, so get the rhythm in your step, the ticket in your pocket and they’ll keep the light on for ya! This CD is a must have for Crusader fans the world over. The magic Rural Renewal creates garners a Rating of: A
Nelson Rangell – Look Again (A440 Music)
Coming soon!
Catch The Rising Star…
Solar Wind featuring Sean Mason
Blue Horizon
Solar Wind Records
On rare occasions a collection of music arrives in the mail that beckons you to give a listen. You position yourself at the player, pop it in and from the beginning you just know it’s a winner. Anticipating the remaining tracks, you wonder- are they equally as good? The answers danced forward, under the laser, in the remaining tracks of Solar Wind’s “Blue Horizon” (Solar One Records).
Transcending the moniker ‘Smooth Jazz’, this tapestry of original music compositions is colorful, melodic, syncopated groove. Track one is ‘Shoreline Drive’- an energy-driven, suave, yet funky tune that features bandleader Sean Mason on bass, keys and drum programming. Joining the call to this skillful piece are the essential master of the keys, David Benoit on electric piano, “Heat-meister” Eric Marienthal on sax and Eric Robson on acoustic guitar. From the start, the combination of these talents is impressive and the energy shared between them makes it evident a very good time in session was had by all.
Track two ‘Sedona Sunrise’ is currently making its rounds on Smooth Jazz rotation (along with ‘Shoreline Drive’) and is breathtaking. Solos by Mason, Benoit and Marienthal awaken the senses and cause the heart to take flight. Share this one with someone special- it is that profound.
“Catalina Breeze” reminds me of the island, with flavors of tropical breezes, gentle movement and saucy Bossa Nova… you’ll feel like dancing; then be forewarned, “Mix It Up” is where the core band shows their chops. Mason is electric and rhythmically cool: plucking, picking, and strumming. You can hear and feel the influences of DiMeola, Clarke and Patitucci – listen closer, ‘though, for a little George & Louis Johnson’s ‘Thunder Thumbs ‘n Lightening Licks’. Paul Kaiser on drums and Marc Hugenberger on keys add depth and dimension to the mix, making the collection appealing to fans of fusion, funk and the eclectic.
Whether you want it to or not, this disc will reach out and grab you! So, hold on tight and enjoy the ride. There’s a new wind on the horizon- with the energy of the Santa Ana wind…‘Solar Wind’ featuring Sean Mason. Add “Blue Horizon” to your collection. We give it a Rating of: A+
www.solar-wind.com
Want to know an opinion about an upcoming release? Make your In-Flyte reservations with: inflyte@smoothnotesandnews.com
©March 2003 Smooth Notes and News
