John Ernesto Interview Page 4

Smitty:  No, you can’t, that’s very cool.  Well, that’s a nice gesture and a nice way to show some appreciation for what the fans have done over the years supporting the great music there. What better way to do that than with a great ticket price and some great music.

JE:  Yeah, well, you gotta say thanks to the fans because every year they come out and support us and our goal always is to keep our ticket prices affordable so that the fans can come to town and buy multiple tickets and stay for a few days. Our highest ticket price for this event is $46.

Smitty:  Oh man, that’s wonderful.

JE:  In today’s marketplace that’s a pretty fair price.

Smitty: Yes it is. I’m really excited about the Pre-Jam Concert with Mindi Abair. She’s very special and she can rock! That will be a great show.

JE: Yes, Mindi Abair is a great performer and we are so happy to have her for the Pre-Jam Concert at The Abraham Lincoln Ballroom on Thursday March 22nd at 7:30pm.

Smitty:  We can’t leave out one of my favorites all-time who will be there on March 23rd, the close-out Friday night, the man himself, Mr. David Sanborn.

JE:  Yep, and David’s gonna be here Friday night at 10:30 at the Sheraton Reading Hotel Ballroom and we always like working with David.  I mean, he’s the best.  He always puts on a great show.  And that’s a big night because we start that night with Pat Martino Quartet in Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base, then we have at the Abraham Lincoln downtown we have Ann Hampton Callaway, and at the Scottish Rite Cathedral performance space we have the Keb’ Mo’ band, we have Rick Braun & Friends at the Sovereign Center, then we have David Sanborn at 10:30, so there’s a lot going on that night.

Smitty:  Yes indeed. That’s a jam packed night there.

JE:  Yeah.

Smitty:  Wow.  And then you close out the show with, oh my goodness, Gerald Albright, Tim Bowman, Jeff Golub, Kirk Whalum. 

JE:  Yep, Guitars & Saxes.  We close the festival on the 25th with Guitars & Saxes at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, so by that time we’re all good and tired, but that’s a great way to end it, on a great high energy, upbeat, positive show, great guys to work with, so I think it’s gonna be a fitting finale to our 10 days of music.

Smitty:  Yes indeed.  That’s a lot of great music, wonderful artists, and what better place to have that than Reading, Pennsylvania?  You’ve got so much to offer there and there’s great hotel accommodations throughout the community, there’s great food as I mentioned before, and all this great music.  It’s a beautiful time to have this festival and it’s just a great time to just celebrate the music and have a great time.

JE:  Well, we appreciate that, Smitty. We appreciate everything. It’s nice when everyone involved with the genre of music pulls together to make things happen because that’s what it takes.

Smitty:  Oh yes.

JE:  It’s a lot of people working together to keep the music going.  It’s not easy in today’s music marketplace, but if you stay committed to it, you can be successful.

Smitty:  Yes, and everyone in Reading are great examples of that and I just want to congratulate all of you once again on your 17th year and we look forward to another 17.  (Laughs.)

JE:  Well, we take it one year at a time, but we’re hoping to be around a long time.

Smitty:  Yes indeed.  John, it’s been great talking with you about this great festival, the wonderful tradition that you’ve created, and for another great year of beautiful music, and I will certainly be there, my friend.

JE:  Well, we look forward to seeing you in March and hopefully will have another successful event where everyone goes home with a smile on their face.

Smitty:  Yes, and all of this information can be found on your Web site, right?

JE:  Yep.  www.berksjazzfest.com.  Everything’s on there:  the schedules, the artist bios, ticket information, you can print out a pdf of the current brochure, so anything you would need is on there and it’s all updated and ready to go.  We officially announce the lineup this weekend and tickets go on sale Saturday, December 2, at 10:00 a.m.

Smitty:  Absolutely, man, great.  Well, I’m certainly looking forward to it and I know the fans are, and let’s have another great year of wonderful jazz, my friend.

JE:  Well, we’re gonna try our best.

Smitty:  All right.  We’ve been talking with the great general manager and spearhead of this wonderful jazz festival in Reading, Pennsylvania, the Berks Jazz Festival, Mr. John Ernesto.  John, thanks again, congratulations to all of you there in Reading, and we look forward to seeing you in March, my friend.

JE:  Well, we look forward to seeing you and thanks for the support and look forward to March.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.berksjazzfest.com