Jazz at Emmanuel

Jazz at Emmanuel Logo with a Saxophone as the "J" in Jazz!

“Jazz at Emmanuel — where the spirited and the spiritual join together in a new kind of celebration.”

Read about how Jazz @ Emmanuel started with a visit and a vision by a wise woman!

Jazz Vespers incorporates a series of finger-snapping jazz meditations and stirring poetic or interpretive readings that celebrate who we are as beloved human beings before a benevolent and wondrous creator.  A scriptural message and passing of the peace round out the celebration of the theme of the day.  This not-to-be-missed, unique worship experience is one everyone will want to see and hear for themselves.

Jazz @ Emmanuel was the brain child or Sprit child of Marissa Costa who visited a Church in NYC and attended their Jazz Service. The original intent of Jazz was to reach out to folks with no church home or who may have not found a home in a traditional church setting. Jazz is certainly an alternative approach! But God is present – wherever we are and encourages us to “dance to the beat of our own drum.”

It can also be called Jazz Vespers because it takes place at 5:00 in the evening, and the music is meant for worship meditation. The first time you think of it this way, see if you can notice there is space in the music. This is the way it was described it many years ago — a novel idea around worship and one you have to experience. Not only is there space, but there is a palpable presence of Spirit.

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Directed by Dr. James Johnson Jr. of the Afro-American Music Institute on piano, the Jazz ensemble for many years has included **bassist, Tony De Paolis, Lou Schreiber on reeds, James Johnson III on drums, and Pamela Johnson on vocals, as well as occasional guest musicians.

Dr. J’s group is still playing after all these years, with Benjamin May on Bass, and often Tom Wendt on Drums.


Tom Wendt’s ensemble fills in some months, with his own group with alternating musicians, including: Scott Boni, alto saxophone, Mark Strickland, guitar, Ava Lintz, bass, Thomas Wendt, drums and others. Stay tuned!

Always the 2nd Sunday at 5:00 pm, September through May

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Jazz @ Emmanuel is supported in part by WRCT 88.3 FM and jazz enthusiasts like you.  Thank you.

Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.  ~ Psalm 81:2


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