Jazz

During the incumbency of our Rector Jim Sandilands, a jazz bassist himself, St. James’ has challenged and extended the concept of church music through its tradition and growing following for jazz in services, particularly in the Jazz Vespers service on the 2nd Sunday each month at 4:00PM.

Jazz in church needs to be experienced: somehow it brings together the free informality and excitement of a jazz club and the deeper meaning of spiritual life, using the beauty of music and the genius of gifted and creative artists.  Jazz as a musical form isn’t just performed and heard – it is uniquely created and experienced in the moment by tune writers, players and listeners.  As an allegory and a tribute to the world’s Creator and creation it offers unique gifts to both its musicians and those who join to listen and sing this ‘new song’.

In addition to the 2nd Sunday 4:00PM Jazz Vespers service, St. James’ explores this new take on church music through its annual 7PM Christmas Eve Jazz Mass, and on a few Sunday mornings each year at 10:30 AM including Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.  Watch the Calendar page to keep up with this unique and beautiful piece of the St. James’ musical puzzle…

Here’s a list of some of the fine musicians who have joined St. James’ extended musical family through Jazz…

(content coming)