Home Arts-Entertainment Music Jazz Vespers Season Scheduled, Donations Needed to Keep It Going

Jazz Vespers Season Scheduled, Donations Needed to Keep It Going

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In 2001, The St Croix Reformed Church launched Jazz Vespers – a free, family-friendly event that features the best in live jazz trios, quintets, and live ensembles, who are fast becoming an endangered species. On the first Sunday of the month, from September to June, the focus is the music — not drinks, dates or food — and a cross section of St Croix has been entertained by the newbies of Central High Jazz Band and veterans such as Scypio Thomas of Rhythmix; the swinging sounds of Julia Lowe, and the sweet sounds of Catalina Sevilla and Jacqueline King; the colorful jazz pallets painted by Frederick Williams, Edwin Russell, Dan Dixon; the strings of Elvis Pedro and Brian Silber; the keyboard mastery of Tony Richards and Otto James; the original compositions of Mitch Hennes and Marsvyn Davis; and the horns of Pikey Copemann, Mekiel Reuben and Joel Press. Jazz Vespers has donated funds to Haitian relief, disease stricken musicians, as well as the victims of homelessness and floods. All this and refreshments, too! But in December 2010, this may end.

The Reformed Church is a small congregation that has had a great impact on life in St. Croix – through its Middle States’ accredited Kingshill School, Pastor Rodney Koopmans’ service as executive director of My Brother’s Table, and by providing an excellent venue for and underwriting the cost of Jazz Vespers. The church provides one of the last bastions for ensemble musicians. St. Croix has not been spared the ravages of the nation’s economic downturn, so the venues that used to feature live music — the Bombay Club, Pentheny Courtyard, Captain’s Table/Indies, Rumors, Hotel on the Cay, Comnache, Pelican Cove and the two Grapetree Hotels – have either closed their doors or have resorted to hiring a solo musician playing with recorded tracks. Admittedly, it is tough times for business, community organizations and for musicians, who do, as a rule, like to eat. Another “community service” engagement does not pay their bills. And for a cover charge equal to the price of a large fancy coffee, St. Croix’s restaurants, clubs and hotels could afford to support live music. By most accounts, the majority of those who appreciate music don’t balk at paying a $5 cover charge.
If red ink is not flowing after the December Jazz Vespers, the line-up for the tenth season is: Rhythmix (Sept.), Pangaea (Oct.), Jazzmin (Nov.), Otto James (Dec.), Mekiel Reuben (Jan.), Marsvyn David,(Feb.), Central High Jazz Band (March), Neil Simon (April), Brian Silber (May) and Steve Katz (June). Although St. Croix Reformed Church will not charge a fee for Jazz Vespers, they do encourage individuals and businesses to buy an ad in the program booklet, adopt one Jazz Vesper to donate refreshments, or come, bring friends, and make a free will offering of five dollars or more.
Whereas the vespers was once reluctant to compete with the many “needy” organizations for limited grant funds and is now exploring grant funds, it is unlikely that funds would be received in time to keep the Jazz Vespers doors open beyond December. On Sept. 5, “Trumpet Time” will feature the music of Miles, Dizzy, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and Rhythmix played by Mario Thomas on bass, Kent Moorehead on keyboard and trumpet, Patrick Moss, on trumpet, Lennox Joseph on guitar and Leslie Matthias on drums. Donations may be mailed to St. Croix Reformed Church. Write Jazz vespers on the memo line.
For information, about ads or donation of refreshments, call 778-3275 or e-mail [email protected] for ad form. Jazz Vespers is produced by Claudette Young Hinds, Jazz Arts VI (JAVI), or call Pastor Rodney Koopmans at 778-0520.

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