Podcast appearances and mentions of erich cawalla

This is the final show in the ten-part Big Three-O series and what a journey it's been from show #1 to #10.  We've progressed from pre-Covid 19 days to a time when the entire world seems to be shut off from person to person contact.  How is our Berks Jazz Fest family handling it?  With a smile and a progression towards the brighter days ahead.  In this show finale we'll hear some music that was performed live during livestream home studio concerts and we'll hear from Berks Jazz Fest general manager John Ernesto about plans to offer fabulous concert videos from historic past festival performances. We'll also feature the music of Erich Cawalla, Bennie Sims, Cliff Starkey, Brian Culbertson, Pieces of a Dream and New Foundation.  Mike Anderson will share some memorable BJF concert moments with The Turtle Island String Quartet and Big Three-O show host Dave Kline will have a great chat with Bennie Sims, the 2020 Berks Arts Council / Berks Jazz Fest Frankie Scott Award recipient.

Here's show #9 of 10 in The Big Three-O series and it features Pieces of a Dream, Diane Dayton getting Brian Culbertson to share something new about himself, Mike Anderson with a great musical memory of Bela Fleck performing with Bruce Hornsby, an interview segment between BJF GM John Ernesto and host Dave Kline remembering fest participants such as Frankie Scott, Bennie Simms, Erich Cawalla, Mike Eben, Trading Four, Trey Larue, Josh Taylor, Chris Heslop, Cliff Starkey, Al Leader, Hank Hoffman, Mike Anderson, Rev. Dr. Harry Serio and others.  We close with a set of music by Chuck Loeb.  Enjoy and please share.  

Historic and unprecedented, COVID 19 has changed many things, including plans for the Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest which has now been postponed from 2020 to 2021.  This almost two-hour show features interviews with Berks Arts Council's executive director Meggan Kerber and Berks Jazz Fest's John Ernesto, who talk about COVID 19's effect and their excellent plan to carry on. On the lighter side, you'll enjoy music by Berks County's own Erich Cawalla, plus, we're offering a stellar live parlor concert recording by The Hot Club of Reading, featuring Josh and "Si" Taylor, Chris Heslop and Trey Larue.  Diane Dayton welcomes Curtis Harmon with Pieces of a Dream into her Cool Jazz Cafe, and Mike Anderson serves up a memorable live recording made at the Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Star Jazz Jam. Chillax, be at peace, and let the music take you to a stream of consciousness that flows gently.

Show #1 of this commemorative and promotional series for the Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest's 30th anniversary in 2020 features Erich Cawalla, Keiko Matsui, Kirk Whalum, Boney James, Gerald Veasley, Diane Dayton, Mike Anderson & The Berks Horns with many other special musical guests.  Presented by The Berks Arts Council, with the executive producer of the series, Dave Kline.  Produced on 1/28/20.

Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest does not start until the Groovemasters take the stage at The Peanut Bar. This marks the 27th year you will find Bennie Sims at the helm of The Groovemasters. Bennie Sims is a self taught musician who couldn’t read music, but he could hear and ‘feel’ the music. He picked up a guitar and his career was launched! Bennie takes a stroll down memory lane with us sharing stories about the evolution of his career, his mentor, and lots of musicians he has worked with and continues to make music with today. In addition to performing internationally Bennie is a sought-after producer who is also writing his own music and performing. There is a new song in the works right now! Bennie is currently producing Erich Cawalla’s first solo album, “The Great American Songbook” and will also be part of Erich’s quartet on stage with The Reading Pops. Bennie says “It’s breathtaking to be part of the music on stage with an orchestra”. Bennie talks about ‘feeling’ the music in whatever setting he finds himself: as a writer, producer, or part of a quartet or a large orchestra. The Groovemasters only play about 3 or 4 times a year these days. So it’s pretty special when they re-group for the start of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. That’s when these old friends get together and exhale and enjoy some time on the playground. Bennie says it’s like ‘home’. Enjoy this conversation and make your plans now to come home with Bennie Sims at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest.

Erich Cawalla and Will Rapp discuss how music charted the course of their lives and careers. They discuss their musical journey, mentors and legacy and the ways jazz music influences their performances. Lots of insight is shared in this Backstage Pass. Check it out and save the date … April 8. That’s when Erich Cawalla and his quartet partner with Will Rapp and The Reading Pops for a special Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest performance called ‘Jazzin’ Up The Pops’.

Celebrate the Uptown Band’s 10th year anniversary and their nomination as Best New Adult Contemporary Group New Music Magazine. With their single release that Jenifer Kinder wrote ‘I Can Breathe’ at # 5 in the nation on the New Music Weekly AC Chart ahead of Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Gwen Stefani, the Uptown Band has good reason to celebrate! So how do you get a hit single and a best new Adult Contemporary Group nomination? Well, on the way to making a living as an accountant Erich Cawalla came to a fork in the road. Erich Cawalla tells the story from the beginning. He says he always sang and then fell in love with the sax at age 13. He talks about recording in the basement, hauling equipment in a mini-van, singing with Burning House and the Bobby Mercer Road Show. It all led up to forming The Uptown Band with Jenifer Kinder. Behind the headlines and the glitz and glamour Erich shares the reality of performing over 200 shows a year and the beginning of BANDAPALOOZA 5 years ago. It was the Uptown Band’s way of giving back to the community that supported them from the beginning. Now it’s 10 year anniversary party time! Get your tickets for BANDAPALOOZA at the Crowne Plaza Reading March 25 at 7pm. It’s a party featuring the Uptown Band, Bunchafunk, The Groovemasters and DJ Bob Tier. There will be a raffle for a customized 10th anniversary Uptown Band guitar made by Dave Lewis. All proceeds will go to the ‘Alisa B Anderson Voice Scholarship Program’ through the Reading Musical Foundation.

Jenifer Kinder is connected with the songs she sings even when they are not her own words but cover songs. Jenifer is not only an amazing singer but a songwriter as well and her song, ‘I Can Breathe’, is charting on commercial radio. She wrote this for her Twisted CD. It was re-recorded and released a second time with the Uptown Band, with whom she has been singing for 10 years. Jenifer says “All my songs are true. Everything that I’ve written about has happened”. Writing is how she works though it “As an artist my writing has become more dear to me than my singing”. A dream of hers since she was a little girl has been realized. She is on the radio! Jenifer started ‘working’ on her career when she was 14 years old. She worked with producer Scott Verret recording a lot of studio jingles and commercials for Boscov’s, Tom Masano, Easter Seals and more. Jenifer talks about the work she did developing her career. She says “There is no greater feeling and joy that I get than when performing in my home town”. Jenifer developed and performs tribute concerts to Amy Winehouse and talks about why she picked Amy. “I absolutely fell in love with her voice the first time I heard her”. Jenifer adds, “I wanted to always do a tribute while she was alive… but no one seemed to know who she was … lyrically she is just a phenomenal songwriter. Her music was overshadowed by her life. I wanted to bring her music to life … that she was a singer, musician, storyteller”. Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is almost surreal to her because of all the big names that come to town. She says, “To be among that energy is powerful and brings so many people together from all over the world. It’s amazing”. Jenifer will be singing with Erich Cawalla and the Groovemasters at the Peanut Bar. It is the traditional ‘opening concert’ for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. She will be performing a couple times during the Fest … at a ‘Groovemaster’s Celebration for Alissa B’ and again with the ‘Uptown Band’.

Brad interviews Erich Cawalla about his journey and how he shows up with so many musical highlights and talents!

Brad interviews Erich Cawalla about his journey and how he shows up with so many musical highlights and talents!

Uptown Band & Dance Hall Docs together for Fabulous Friday Funkathon April 10, 2015 at Bldg 24. Erich Cawalla and Fred Moreadith talk about performing, managing, practicing and spontaneity. This is why Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest is a favorite annual event for musicians.

Stay Inspired!

Erich from the The Uptown Band returns to talk about their sophomore album Heart, Soul, Body, & Mind featuring Will Lee, bassist from The Late Show with David Letterman’s CBS Orchestra, trumpet great and founding member of Tower of Power and East Bay Soul, Greg Adams, percussionist Doc Gibbs from The Emeril Live Show on the Food Network, drummer Curtis Harmon of Pieces of a Dream, and the CD’s Producer, bassist Bennie Sims of The Three Degrees. 

The Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder is one of the Northeast's most versatile live bands. With an adult contemporary mix of Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Pop, this group does not miss. Their shows always garner significant audience interaction and offer something for everybody to enjoy because of the vast diversity in their song list. Talking Smooth Jazz welcomes The Uptown Band to talk about their debut cd, Waiting For Her.

New Tony Valentino, Bound16, Zero, Erich Cawalla, G. Love + Billie Eilish, Joe Bonamassa, Genesis, Lizzo, Ace of Cups, Brigitte Purdy, Gil Scott-Heron... Birthdays for Raymond Fullwood, Bill Hunt, Daniel Klein