Berks Jazz History

A history lesson on who are the people we celebrate through our awards and why they are legendary to Berks Arts, Berks Jazz Fest, and Berks County.

  • An icon in Berks County music, Robert “Doc” Mulligan spent the better part of his life in music.

    Born in Ashland, PA, young Bob Mulligan played trombone in his high school band. That led to gigs in dance bands and a lifelong love of jazz music. He continued playing after high school as a member of the Penn State Blue Band, also performing in a campus big band.

    Pursuit of a medical career after college put music briefly on hold, but it wasn’t long until he began the journey that would lead to not only a distinguished career in radiology at the Reading Hospital, but also to notoriety as a gifted musician and arranger.

    Doc Mulligan went on to perform with and write music for various local groups, including the Reading Big Band, the Dave Stahl Big Band and the Bobby Mercer Road Show. Doc rarely charged for his arranging services. His charts have ended up in the books of many big bands across the county, the state, and well beyond.

    In 2005, Doc was presented with the inaugural Frank Scott Award, recognizing his contributions to music and jazz education in Berks County. In 2015, he was honored at the 25th Berks Jazz Fest with a commissioned composition dedicated to him, “Pretzel City Trilogy” composed by Chris Heslop.

    Doc Mulligan has influenced and mentored many generations of Berks County musicians throughout his lifetime.

    Doc was one of the original founders and promoters of the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest jazz education program (now known as getJazzed), and has led to our current Doc Mulligan Education Events, which include clinics, jam sessions and other programs for Berks County music students. Berks Jazz Fest’s getJazzed program continues in honor of Doc’s selfless example.

    Doc passed January 8, 2021, after a short illness. He was 94.

    Let’s celebrate a life in music. Let’s celebrate and remember Bob “Doc” Mulligan.

  • Vocalist Toni Lynne was introduced to Frank Scott in 1966, when she was the featured vocalist for the Incredible Saxons, the house band for the Crystal Restaurant, Stokesay Castle and the Riveredge Hotel.

    Lynne performed with Scott at events that included the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Fest, Scenic River Days, local television shows, and the opening band for Ray Charles at the Rajah Theatre (now the Santander Performing Arts Center).

    Lynne has also performed for many years with Skip Moyer’s ensembles and with the vocal trio Ladies of Jazz (with Sharon Bailey and Suzie Ernesto) at Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, and at the Gerald Veasley Jazz Base at the Sheraton Reading Hotel.

  • Frank Scott (1923-1995) was a Reading blues-jazz tenor saxophonist who performed with Bill Haley and the Comets, Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, and the Inkspots (Book 2005). Scott led several Berks bands and recorded several albums, the most recent of which, “Never Too Old to Dream,” was released in 1988 (Berks Art Council 2005). Tagged “The Night Train Man” for his house-rocking signature piece, he was a staple in jazz-tuned Reading nightspots. Scott owned several nightclubs in Reading, including the Melody Bar, Zanzibar, and two bottle clubs on Penn Street (Book 2005). Scott also taught music at the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts. Scott was later inducted into the Central PA Friends of Jazz Hall of Fame in 1994.

    The Frank Scott Award, presented annually by Berks Arts, was founded and is sponsored by the Jerlyn Foundation, led by Carolyn and Jerry Holleran, who were longtime friends of the well-known local jazz saxophonist, Frank Scott. The award honors Scott’s memory and his contribution to Berks County’s jazz heritage. The award has been given to notable musicians since 2005.

  • Al Seifarth valued the importance of supporting young musicians. His devotion to the music scene in Berks, and his belief that young people should be supported and celebrated in their musical endeavors, was a constant theme throughout the course of his life.  

    A history teacher and cross-country coach, at Conrad Weiser for 35 years, Al had a dual career as a life-long musician in the county.  Al had many musical mentors, but particularly valued his time spent performing with Ken Gehret, in a variety of ensembles, including “the Duo” an Irish Mist.   Among his musical achievements, Al Seifarth initiated the “Jazz Vespers” concert series and was the director of the “Music in the Schools” program for several years.  These assemblies brought together local professional musicians to perform Jazz, Latin, and World music in an educational format for public schools throughout Berks County.  In addition to performing with the Reading Pops for many years, he was the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Reading Pops Orchestra. 

    Due to his prolific support, interest, endorsement involvement, promotion, and participation in the Reading music scene, he was awarded the Frank Scott Award, presented by the Berks Arts Council.  Al was warmly considered a “Jazz Uncle” by many musicians in the area.