The church calls it 'where jazz meets the spirit': it's the 15th season of St. John's United Church's Jazz Vespers, a service that includes candlelight, jazz, and prayers.
To mark the milestone, the Golden Hand Trio will perform on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. The trio features Owen Chow on trumpet, Wes Carroll on guitar and John Mossie on bass.
"Jazz Vespers began in New York in the 1960’s as a church service of prayer and jazz designed for the city’s jazz musicians who couldn’t make it to Sunday morning services after playing late Saturday night gigs," said Bernadette Greene, music director of the church.
"St. John’s United Church recognized the strong link between music and spirit, and realized that providing a venue in North Saanich for the multitude of high-calibre musicians in the Victoria area would be a win not just for our church, but also for our rural community and the musicians."
Part of Golden Hand Trio, rising trumpeter Owen Chow has been part of the Victoria jazz scene since he emerged on the UJam young all-stars at age 12. Since, he's studied across the country, the 23-year-old has shared the stage with jazz giants Louis Hayes, Melissa Aldana, Charles McPherson and more.
Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Wes Carroll reaches audiences with his jazz, pop and hip-hop-influenced original creations. Under his belt are five released albums, a Masters in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, and side projects that include "Wes plays Wes" (a tribute to Wes Montgomery) and PIGS: Canada's Most Authentic Pink Floyd Tribute.
Bassist John Mossie rounds out the group. With a background in various choirs and vocal jazz groups, Mossie has also studied in Montreal under one of Canada's finest bassists, Adrian Vedady.
The Jazz Vespers series runs the fourth Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Saanich Road church. Upcoming performances include the Rowan Farintosh Trio on Oct. 6, and Lust Life Jazz Band on Nov. 3.
An offering, with a suggested donation of $20 per person, will be taken to compensate the musicians and cover the Vespers program.
"Unlike in jazz clubs or restaurants, the musicians have an attentive audience who have come just to listen. For the audience, it’s a great way to wind down from the weekend and feel refreshed at the outset of a new week," Greene added.
