[Dixielandjazz] Berk's Jazz Festival, Reading PA USA

[Stephen Barbone]

List mates: (Especially band leaders or those involved in jazz festival
production)

The Berk's Jazz Festival runs a full 10 days from March 21 through March
30. It has both 36 ticketed performances (advance sales in larger
venues, mostly reserved seats) and about 65 non-ticketed events in
smaller venues, where there may be an admission charge, or just come on
in and have food & drink.  It is one of the most successful "Jazz
Festivals" in the USA based upon venues, number of performers,
diversification of styles of jazz, and support from the local businesses
in Reading.

Those of you who are interested in running a jazz festival, and/or
appearing at one with your band, might be interested in checking out
their web site: http://www.berksjazzfest.com  You might also sign up to
receive their newsletters/ticket order forms to see how they promote.

Interestingly enough, many of the major weekend performances, both
weekends, are either sold out, or close to being sold out now, roughly
eight weeks prior to performance dates. At ticket prices ranging from a
high of $55 for Pancho Sanchez Orchestra (Latin Jazz) with the Reading
Symphony to a low of $32 for The Rippingtons with Russ Freeman and Eric
Marienthal.

Other weekend headliners close to being sold out are Boney James, Bela
Fleck, Peobo Bryson, Down to the Bone and Euge Groove, Chuck Mangione,
Brian Culbertson and Brenda Russell. And I hear the Dizzy Gillespie
Alumni All Star Band (Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Mulgrew Miller et al)
is getting there at a price of $30 per ticket.

As a matter of interest, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Barbone Street
Jazz Band show, Wednesday night March 26, "A Mardi Gras Theme Night",
tickets $30, (at the high price end of the weekday events) is now about
halfway to being sold out, and among the leaders in advance ticket sales
of the "weekday ticketed events".

Also this year, there are now 4 bands that have roots with OKOM, Barbone
Street, Dirty Dozen, Dixie Power Trio, and Pretzel City Jazz Band (local
Dixieland Band). Not bad considering there were NO BANDS OF THIS TYPE AT
THE FESTIVAL 3 YEARS AGO. We started the trend 2 years ago, alone, then
it expanded to two with Preservation Hall and us last year, and now
four. Why can't this be done at generic "Jazz" Festivals in the USA, or
all over the world for that matter.

Also of interest is the tremendous amount of corporate support this
festival gets throughout the city. Check it out for ideas.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone