Berks Jazz Festival 2008

The Berks Jazz Fest is presented by the Berks Arts Council located in Reading, PA. The mission of the Berks Arts Council, formally organized in 1971, 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. All proceeds from the fest are used to support the Arts Council's programs in the Berks community. The 10-day festival is recognized as one of the largest and most diverse on the East Coast with more than 45,000 people attending festival events last year.



The 18th annual Berks Jazz Fest will be held Friday, March 28, 2008 – April 6, 2008 in the greater Reading area. Throughout the event there will be more than 120 concerts scheduled, ranging from major performing arts centers like Sovereign Performing Arts Center, Scottish Rite Cathedral, Sheraton Reading Hotel ballroom; Lincoln Plaza Hotel ballroom; Inn at Reading ballroom; Albright College; and Kutztown University - to major restaurants and clubs throughout the community. Selected artists will be compensated for their performance (travel and lodging will be part of the negotiated fee). Genres accepted include jazz, blues and gospel.



Past performers include Nancy Wilson, Buddy Guy, Gerald Albright, Peter White. As well as Jeff Golub and Jeff LorberStanley Jordan, George Benson, Jim Brickman, Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Eric Marienthal, Nicholas Payton, Ramsey Lewis, Wynton Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, John Scofield, Leni Stern, Yellowjackets, Victor Wooten Band, The Rippingtons, Shemekia Copeland, John Mayall, Susan Tedeschi and many more.