Jazz Vespers June 28, 2009

Jazz Vespers, a celebration in Song and Narrative written by Willam (Bill) Bell (The Jazz Professor) featuring The Jazz Connection Quintet: Bill Bell - Pianist, Ron Belcher-Bass, Dezon Clayborn-Drums,Charlie McCarthy-Sax, James Tinsley-Trumpet; and Stanley Bull, Vocalist. Bill Bell, a performer, teacher, arranger and composer is a retired professor of Music at College of Alameda and UC Berkeley, and founder and artist director of the Oakland Bay Area Community Chorus. He has toured with jazz legends Carmen McRae and Benny Carter and prepared the choir for one of Maestro Duke Ellington's Sacred concerts. This Bay Area musical icon won the SFJazz "Beacon Award" in 2005 for his contributions to jazz education and preformance.

While many churches have provided a home for Jazz Vespers, this will mark a new experience for Downs Memorial UMC. While jazz is most often thought of as a secular music, throughout history jazz has contained a sacred foundation, giving voice to the hopes, dreams, frustration and pain that characterize the human condition. Numerous jazz composers have secured a place for this art form within the church, including Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and Wynton Marsalis.

Jazz Vespers at Downs, New, Exciting, Profound and Spiritual! The instrumental quintet and vocalist will give musical expxression to all phases of the program, including the invocation, the passing of the peace, and a message on the crucial role of music in the African American church, narrated by Kline Wilson, President of the United Methodist Men of Downs.

Adults - $20.00, Children $10.00.

Official Website: http://www.downsmethodist.org