Berks Awards Night Press Release
The third annual Berks Arts Awards Night ceremony was held Thursday night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, celebrating the contributions of individuals within the local arts community.
The annual awards ceremony honors the dedicated members of the Berks County arts community -- and members of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest team for their years of service.
Michael Tozzi, longtime Berks Jazz Fest host, emceed the event in the grand ballroom.
Gerald Veasley was recipient of the prestigious Pagoda Award, presented by Keith Mooney, former Berks Arts board president.
The award honors individuals and organizations who have had an exceptional impact on the arts in the Berks community.
For the last 33 years, Veasley has had an exceptional impact on Berks Arts, Berks Jazz Fest and our community as a performer, jazz educator, spokesperson/ambassador, and festival host -- leading to his selection.
“Receiving the Pagoda Award is one of the greatest honors of my life,” Veasley said, who lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Roxanne. “I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity and privilege to be part of the Berks Jazz Fest for over three decades.
“For me, to have been part of the fest year after year is something very special. I have cherished every moment.
“Some folks think I live in Reading because they have seen me here so much. This award makes me feel like an adopted son of Reading.”
John Evans, Muhlenberg Middle School band director, received the Frank Scott Award
Evans has influenced and shaped the lives of many young musicians through his work with the school district as well as the summer jazz programs.
Frank Scott Award honors the memory of Reading saxophonist Frank Scott. It has been awarded to exemplary individuals who have made a difference in the jazz community since 2005.
The award was created by the Jerlyn Foundation – Jerry and Carolyn Holleran – and is presented each year during the Berks Jazz Fest.
The event also celebrated the achievements of the So What! trio, which received the Chuck Loeb Jazz Ensemble Scholarship for the third consecutive year from the Reading Musical Foundation and Berks Arts.
This scholarship, named in honor of the late Chuck Loeb, a perennial Berks Jazz Fest favorite acknowledges the talent and dedication of student jazz ensembles.
The trio is Noah Gibney, Esteban Ruiz, and Dexter Sales. Their continued success exemplifies the high level of artistry and commitment present in the region's youth music programs.
The 2.5.1 scholastic quartet – Gabriel Perry, Aidan Miller, Dante Fioravanti, and Connor Haas – also were recognized for finishing runner-up in the Loeb scholarship award.
Volunteers continue to be the heartbeat of the fest. This year, the John Ernesto Volunteer of the Year Awards were presented to Judy Long and Chip Strunk, recognizing their decades-long contributions to the fest.
Strunk has been a longtime member of the backstage production team.
Long has been a longtime member of the front-of-house team.
In addition to the traditional award presentations, Mike Anderson and Neal & Ginny Swarmer were recognized for their contributions.
Anderson, a member of the fest planning committee 1990, was recognized for his many contributions, including designing the original “neon” logo that continues to be the fest’s iconic brand 34 years later.
Volunteers Neal and Ginny Swarmer were recognized for their longtime commitment to Berks Arts and the Berks Jazz Fest. The Swarmers are planning to retire after this fest.