The Center for Spiritual Formation is pleased to announce the return of Summer Sounds at St. James, a series of musical concerts each Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. beginning on July 11 and running through August 1. The admission price for each concert is $10; college students with a valid ID will be admitted free. A reception follows each concert so that the audience may have opportunity to meet the performers and obtain their CDs where you will also be able to enjoy the St. James Artists' Guild Summer Show in the Parish Hall parlor.
Season tickets are available at $30 for all four concerts. If you'd like to help sponsor Summer Sounds at St. James, a Friends level sponsorship is $75 and includes two season tickets. Patrons will receive four season tickets for $150. Your sponsorship will help assure the program continuation and will be acknowledged in the concert programs.
Please download an order form here, or contact the church office at 225-387-5141 or via email.
Online reservations payable by virtual check, debit or credit card is now available! Click here.
Here's a letter-size color poster to share in your office, or in JPG to share via email. Thanks!
Press Release in PDF is here.
Our 2012 Summer Sounds at St. James performers:
July 11: Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders with Leah Chase
Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders, one of the area's premier classic jazz orchestras, return after a well-received program in last year's Summer Sounds. The group is dedicated to performance and recording of classic and Creole compositions; the "real spirit of early jazz," when jazz was the pop music.
Vappie's program this year features guest singer Leah Chase, daughter of acclaimed band leader Dookie Chase and restaurateur Leah Chase. An adjunct professor at Loyola and Tulane universities, she is a self-described balladeer who loves "meaty lyrics." Leah has the unique ability to take a familiar song and infuse it with a fresh perspective. She wants the audience to feel as if they have actually "lived" the song along with her. A very visual performer, Leah quickly establishes a warm rapport with her audience.
Above: Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders; Right: Leah Chase. Click for larger images. |
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July 18: Chris Thomas King
Baton Rouge native and son of the famed Tabby Thomas, King has enjoyed a well-traveled career through the US and Europe as well as a blues journey from traditional through a period of bold hip-hop influence to his latest album, Antebellum Postcards, which displays his broad range by incorporating folk, blues and a hint of Nashville along with energetic rock sensibilities. King's performance in the Coen brother's film, O Brother, Where Art Thou? was the only piece recorded live during filming, and was part of the Grammy award-winning soundtrack. |
July 25: Steve Masakowski & Mike Esneault
The July 25 concert features jazz guitarist Steve Masakowski along with another returning Summer Sounds guest, pianist and award-winning composer Mike Esneault. Masakowski has twice been voted "Best Guitarist," and three times "Best Contemporary Jazz Group" by Gambit and Offbeat magazine reader polls. He is currently on staff at the University of New Orleans where he holds the position of Coca-Cola Endowed Chair of Jazz Studies.
Esneault has studied and performed with the biggest names in jazz; his compositions grace television, movies, live performance and recordings. He is also an instructor in the East Baton Rouge Gifted and Talented Program where he has taught for the past twelve years and works with these very gifted young students in composition, jazz improvisation, arranging and music technology. Mike is also currently a Professional Artist in Residence at Louisiana State University where he teaches jazz piano and improvisation. |
 
Top: Steve Masakowski; Bottom: Mike Esneault |
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August 1: Quiana Lynell & The Lush Life
Closing out the 2012 season on August 1 will be Quiana Lynell & The Lush Life. Quiana is a certified Southern girl who infuses her classical training and gospel upbringing with her love for jazz. Her four-octave range supports an unlimited repertoire. She employs her own special style, coined jazzicalsfunk, when performing with the tight groove of The Lush Life, a band comprised of some of the country's most outstanding performers in jazz, brass and funk. |
Make your Summer Sounds at St. James reservations online, now!
