Some of the region’s top jazz musicians have found a home base in Burnaby, thanks to the efforts of a local church.
Brentwood Presbyterian Church, in North Burnaby, offers regular Jazz Evensong evenings on Wednesday nights.
“Churches are looking to offer an alternative time and form of worship in which people can be nourished by the grace of Jesus Christ to flourish,” says a write-up about the nights. “And Brentwood has a warm ambience and amazing acoustics for this type of music.”
The evening consists mainly of music, with seven pieces plus prayers. Those in attendance are welcome to make donations in a “thanks bucket” – a tradition borrowed from New Orleans street bands - that’s passed around during the service. All the money collected goes to the evening’s musicians.
“In a time when playing opportunities seem to be diminishing, it’s always a huge thrill when someone steps up who genuinely cares about the music,” says musician Cory Weeds, in a testimonial on the church’s website. Weeds is a saxophonist who’s set to appear in the series again on March 29. “Jazz Evensong services at
Brentwood provide a great venue for musicians of this city to perform in. It’s a venue that cares, and that is rare these days.”
The series offers a huge variety of performers, including vocalists and instrumentalists.
Coming up tonight (Wednesday, Feb. 22), it’s the Siobhan Walsh Group, which incorporates classic jazz standards with R&B hits.
On March 1, it’s Darlene Ketchum and Friends. Ketchum is a songwriter, arranger and singer who performs covers, jazz standards, gospel, soul/R&B, funk and original tunes.
For a full list of performers and other details, see www.brentwoodpc.ca.
Brentwood Presbyterian Church is at 1600 Delta Ave.
AT A GLANCE: WHO’S UP?
Here’s a list of upcoming performers for Jazz Evensong at Brentwood Presbyterian Church.
Feb. 22: Siobhan Walsh Group
March 1: Darlene Ketchum and Friends
March 8: Patty Verner and Friends
March 15: Kristian Alexandrov/Shannon Gaye Trio
March 22: L.J. Mounteney Quintet
March 29: Cory Weeds Trio
April 5: Bryn Kinders and SoleScape Sounds
April 12: Dan Reynolds and Friends
April 19: Dee Bender and Friends
April 26: Juhli Conlinn and Friends
