Jazz Notes

Where Jazz meets the Spirit


             

Christmas Eve, 2009

On Christmas Eve three of the finest women vocalists in the lower Mainland will present a special Jazz Vespers concert at St. Andrews-Wesley. Karin Plato, Jennifer Scott, and Kate Hammett-Vaughan will offer their gift to the city--an hour of holiday treats ranging from traditional carols to popular tunes, each song especially arranged to blend perfectly the voices of this dynamic trio. Each woman is a star in her own right, and this is the only time of the year when youll be able to hear them together.

Theres no admission charge but the offering will benefit Covenant House which exists for young people aged 16-24 who often have no one else. Most have fled physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse or have been forced from their homes. Covenant House bandages their feet cut up from days and nights walking the streets; gives them hot food and a warm bed; and supports them in their choice to change their circumstances while helping them heal from past traumas.

Consider this scenario: a young woman, pregnant, terrified by the big city, wandering the streets with no place to lay her head. Sound familiar this Christmastime? This is your chance to enjoy some terrific music and support an organization which helps youngsters exactly like her.

St. Andrews-Wesley where Jazz meets the Spirit.

Burrard/Nelson Streets

Thursday, December 24 - 4 pm

Free admission, free parking.

 

The Reverend Dr. Gordon Turner passed away suddenly Monday, January 19th, 2009 while vacationing in Cuba with his wife Linda. He was known as Vancouver's "Jazz Priest" and was a jazz trombonist before entering the Ministry. Gordon established Jazz Vespers in Toronto prior to coming to Vancouver in 1991 at which time he became Minister of St. Andrews Wesley Church and introduced Jazz Vespers to his Congregation, one hour of jazz every Sunday afternoon. Until his retirement four years ago, he booked a stellar roster of wonderful local musicians and vocalists performing every Sunday and even in retirement, still continued Jazz Vespers occasionally in Whistler. His legacy lives on with the Reverend Gary Paterson and Jerry Wennes booking the musicians, carrying on the tradition.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Andrews Wesley Church, corner of Burrard and Nelson on Saturday, January 31th at 1:00 pm, featuring vocalist Sybil Thrasher,with an open "Jazz Cafe" beginning at 3:30 featuring some of the musicians and vocalists that have performed at the Church over the years.

On Sunday, February 8th, Jazz Vespers at St. Andrews Wesley Church will be a tribute to Gordon Turner, featuring the Bob Liley Orchestra and guest vocalist, Sybil Thrasher. The jazz community has lost a wonderful friend.

Sincerely
Lorraine Foster

Links to the muscicians who play at Jazz Vespers

 

December 2008

Christmas Eve Jazz Vespers with Karin Plato, Jennifer Scott, and Kate Hammett-Vaughan

There is simply no better way to spend a late afternoon hour on Christmas Eve than listening to outstanding jazz singers performing carols from around the world. When the three of Vancouver’s finest women vocalists--Karin Plato, Jennifer Scott, and Kate Hammett-Vaughan--raise their glorious voices in St. Andrew’s-Wesley Gothic sanctuary lit by the stained glass windows expect an event which will be a joyous high point in your holiday season.

This talented group of women, each a star in her own right, join together only once a year on Christmas Eve to sing traditional carols and sacred carols arranged especially for their three voices. You’ve heard Winter Wonderland and Here We Come A Caroling a thousand times before, but never as it will be sung this afternoon.

They will be joined by a first rate group of musicians including Chris Sigerson on piano, Rene Worst on bass, and Tom Foster on drums.

If that’s not enough to get you off the couch or out of the stores you should know that this event is a fundraiser for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and the Benevolence Fund of St. Andrew’s which assists families in crisis. Especially in these tough economic times, these charities are more essential than ever to families who must turn to them for help. There’s no admission but the offering will go to these worthy causes.

Plan to arrive early because last year the sanctuary was nearly filled.

Details:

4 pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley, corner of Burrard and Nelson. Free parking.

St. Andrew’s is where jazz meets the spirit.

14 January 2008

To:Mike Doherty

Vancouver Sun

You’re absolutely correct that Vancouver’s jazz scene has heated up recently. This year’s Junos and National Jazz Awards only confirmed what fans here have already discovered--a wealth of first rate local musicians, the best Jazz Festival in the country, and club venues that are second to none.

Vancouver has another reason to be proud: St. Andrew’s-Wesley’s weekly Jazz Vespers. There are only two churches in the world with such a commitment to jazz. The other is St. Peter’s in, you guessed it, Manhattan. St. Andrew’s has offered jazz every single Sunday for 15 years, and now receives calls from the United States asking how it’s done. This Sunday (13 April) Juno nominated Miles Black will play, and on Mother’s Day Karin Plato will return.

In the last year performers at St. Andrew’s have included the best musicians in the city: Jodi Proznick, Brad Turner, Jill Townsend Big Band, and Dee Daniels. Last fall Bramwell Tovey proved that a classical musician can truly rock, and smiled proudly as his young daughter played violin. At Christmas a trio of Karin Plato, Kate Hammett-Vaughan, and Jennifer Scott filled the house, and raised more than $3,000 for a local women’s shelter.

This summer St. Andrew’s will be an official venue for the Jazz Festival. For ten days we will shift gears to offer a series of noontime concerts called Jazz Vespers Presents: Gospel Comes Home. Singers will include Jim Byrnes and the Sojourners (Will Sanders, Ron Small, and Marcus Moseley), Leora Cashe, Candus Churchill, and Ron Small as solo.

Performers love St. Andrew’s because of its wonderful acoustics and the fact that they know the audience has come to listen to them. Music lovers come because they as confident that they’ll hear first rate jazz in a beautiful setting. And, it’s free!

Details: St. Andrew’s-Wesley where Jazz meets the spirit.

Corner of Burrard and Nelson

Every Sunday, 4-5 pm

For further details contact: Rev. Gary Paterson 604-683-4574 Dianna Waggoner 604-568-7200

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Dianna Waggoner 604-568-7200 or 415-238-2337

15th Anniversary of Jazz Vespers: History of Jazz and Jazz at St. Andrew’s

First of all, thanks to you for spreading the word about the Christmas Eve Jazz Vespers at St. Andrew’s. As a result, the church was packed with 575 people delighted to hear Karin Plato, Jennifer Scott, and Kate Hammett-Vaughan, and their trio of musicians. The evening raised $3,400 for Atira Women’s Resource Society. This excellent and generous turnout is clear evidence of a large jazz loving crowd in Vancouver.

So, what’s coming up next? At 4 pm on January 27 St. Andrew’s will celebrate 15 years of non-stop weekly Jazz Vespers with a very special event: The History of Jazz and Jazz at St. Andrew’s. Vancouver should be justifiably proud that it is home to one of only two places in the world that offers weekly jazz vespers. (The other church with equal passion is in Manhattan.) The first Jazz Vespers was held on September 6, 1992 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Gordon Turner, and has offered Vancouver’s finest musical talents including Dee Daniels, Sibel Thrasher, Lorraine Foster, and Marcus Mosely.

We will honor the tradition of the music by tracing the musical path of Vancouver jazz legend Linton Garner (who, as you probably know, was jazz pianist Erroll Garner’s older brother). Linton Garner performed for many years in Vancouver and the afternoon’s music will be supplied by his former band members including Stu Loseby, Ross Taggart, Russ Botten, and Don Fraser.

The event will also include a look forward with the next generation of musicians. Juhli Conlinn and Jennifer Hodge who were the first recipients of the Linton Garner Scholarship at Capilano College will join the band for a song or two.

These two important pieces of Vancouver’s musical history will come together in joyous celebration one time only. We hope you’ll be there.

Available for interviews:

Rev. Gary Paterson, minister at St. Andrew’s

Sunday, January 27 4 pm

Jazz Vespers: A History of Jazz and Jazz Vespers

St. Andrew’s Wesley

Corner Nelson/Burrard

December, 2007

Here's your chance to be a Christmas angel and hear some heavenly music at the same time. On Monday, Christmas Eve, at 4 pm St. Andrew's-Wesley will present a special Jazz Vespers program featuring the unique combination of three of Vancouver's most popular jazz vocalists--Karin Plato, Kate Hammett-Vaughan, and Jennifer Scott.

This talented trio will perform traditional Christmas songs from around the world, including a carol from Venezuala and a swinging new version of Winter Wonderland. All will be original arrangements and stylings. Accompanying the women will be a solid trio of musicians, Chris Sigerson on piano, Rene Worst on bass, and Tom Foster on drums.

The Province describes Karin Plato as "a sultry singer who swings like crazy". The Edmonton Journal raves that Kate Hammett-Vaughan is "one of the best jazz singers in Canada or anywhere for that matter". And, CBC Jazzbeat describes Jennifer Scott's voice as "made to sing jazz". Clearly, these amazing women will create a Christmas Eve to remember for years.

This sure to be magical evening is also a fundraiser for Atira Women's Resource Society, a not-for profit that supports women and children affected by violence and abuse, including those who are struggling with substance use, mental illness, poverty. Atira is committed to help bring an end to violence in our communities. For more information visit www.atira.bc.ca

Jazz Vespers at St. Andrews will offer its usual weekly program on Sunday, December 23, at 4 - 5 pm. That afternoon will feature Karin Plato singing Christmas carols. We look forward to seeing you.

Details: St. Andrew's-Wesley where jazz meets the spirit.

St. Andrew's-Wesley is located at the corner of Burrard and Nelson.

Free parking in our downstairs garage. 4 - 5 pm

As always, this is a free event, but remember it's Christmas and this is your chance to be an angel. So...think about bringing your checkbook or a few dollars.

August 2007

Melody Diachun sings her original lyrics in a style that flows among jazz, soul, and funky pop. For those who've heard Diachun and her combo in clubs, this is a chance to enjoy Diachun in a unique setting with excellent acoustics. Enjoy the shifting light as the late afternoon light dances through the window and splashes the audience with bright golds and dark blues. Celebrate the only weekly jazz vespers in Canada. It's free and all are welcome.

June 18, 2007

Coinciding with the Vancouver Jazz Festival, St. Andrew's-Wesley Church opens its sanctuary for weekday tours and Wednesday noontime jazz concerts. Come to enjoy the shifting light as the bright golds and dark blues bathe the interior and stay to hear some excellent jazz.

Open Sanctuary begins June 25 with a full week of daily noontime concerts, and ends September 7. Tours are conducted every weekday from 10 to 4 pm.

The interior of St. Andrews-Wesley contains a number of uniquely British Columbia materials including local marble, granite, oak and fir, but the glory of the building is its seven stained and etched glass windows which transform the church into a place of meditation and mystery. From details of Biblical stories to glorious abstract and symbolic expression the images were created by artists from Chartres, England and Vancouver. And don’t miss the graceful, seasonal altar hangings created by local liturgical fabric artist Mae Runions. 

As usual every Sunday afternoon you can enjoy wonderful music, and Rev Gary Paterson’s Bible readings with a contemporary spin.
 
Monday June 25  Jazz in the Sanctuary at noon  The Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Band
Tuesday June 26  Jazz in the Sanctuary at noon  The Maria Ho Quartet
Wednesday June 27  Jazz in the Sanctuary at noon  The Michelle Richard Quartet
Thursday June 28  Jazz in the Sanctuary at noon   The Holly Burke Jazz Quartet
Friday June 29  Jazz in the Sanctuary at noon  The Eve Smith Trio
 
St Andrew’s-Wesley Church, Where Jazz meets the Spirit.

 

June 10

 

Christopher Gaze Sings Jazz at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church Jazz Vespers: The Voice of Shakespeare Sings Jazz

Christopher Gaze whose face and voice are familiar to Vancouver's numerous Shakespeare fans takes on a different role when he sings at St. Andrews Wesley Jazz Vespers on June 17. Bard on the Beach, which Gaze founded in 1990 and is now its Artistic Director, will be in the middle of production by then. In fact, after the service Gaze will rush across the Burrard Bridge in order to appear on stage in The Taming of the Shrew.

 

His connection to classical music is well known. Gaze has narrated more than 20 concerts with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra where he "sings something if it comes along," he says.   What's going to come along during the late afternoon at St. Andrews are some of The Bard's most beautiful sonnets which pianist and Gaze's longtime friend Michael Sims has set to melodies. "It's a fusion of jazz and Shakespeare," Sims explains. "We call our group Swingtime for Shakespeare."

"I've sung all my life," Gaze said. But the event will feature much more than just music. "I'll tell a few stories, and sing a few songs. It will be a little taste of something else. I've entertained a lot in my life. I'll sing some beautiful songs." He paused and thought before adding. "It will be a very, very good event."

 

Gaze, Mike Sims, and Jodi Prozniuk will perform at 4 pm Sunday, June 17, at St. Andrews Wesley Church as part of the weekly Jazz Vespers. Free to all, and all are welcome.

 

Vancouver has reason to be proud of St. Andrew's weekly Jazz Vespers which is one of only two churches in the world which sponsor jazz programs every Sunday. In the world! That's right, the only other church which makes such a commitment to music is St. Peter's in midtown Manhattan

 

*****

 

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 8

Dalannah Gail Bowen/Easter Jazz Vespers at St. Andrew's Renowned jazz and gospel performer Dalannah Gail Bowen will set St. Andrew's church afire Easter Sunday with her specially created "Songs of Mahalia Jackson", her tribute to the greatest gospel singer of the 20th century. Three vocalists and four instrumentalists will join her in lifting the roof and raising spirits. This is a one-time chance to hear extraordinary music in a unique, and acoustically wonderful, setting. Dalannah was a featured performer at last summer's Granville Island Jazz Festival where she entertained a packed audience at the Canada Day celebration. In 2005 she sang the supporting role of family matriarch Old Ma Strong in Vancouver's sold out Urinetown. Her more than 40 year career stretches to include opening for the great blues artist B.B. King on six occasions, appearances with Freddie Hubbard, and a three month stint with the late legendary jazz guitarist Lenny Breau. Vancouver has reason to be proud of St. Andrew's weekly Jazz Vespers which is one of only two churches in the world which sponsor jazz programs every Sunday. In the world! That's right, only one other church makes such a commitment to music, and that means a trip to St. Peter's in midtown Manhattan. About a dozen places around the world offer monthly musical services, but only St. Andrew's and St. Peter's can lay claim to offering Jazz Vespers every single Sunday. Jazz Vespers has been a longtime tradition at St. Andrew's, one of the West End's most beloved establishments. Rev. Gary Paterson always provides a few thought provoking, moments to the afternoon. It's a great way to spend an hour on Sunday afternoon, and, especially, to provide a joyous conclusion to the Easter season.

***

SUNDAY, APRIL 15

A longtime favorite on the Vancouver jazz scene Sibel Thrashers talent has earned her a place in the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. Heres a chance to enjoy her stylings in a unique venue known for its excellent acoustics. Thrasher, often compared to Ella Fitzgerald for her precise, yet imaginative, delivery will perform jazz standards along with her quartet of musicians. Its free and all are welcome. St. Andrews-Wesley (where Jazz meets the spirit) is at the corner of Burrard and Nelson in downtown Vancouver. Free parking, too.