A Beginning in New York City

Jazz Vespers began in New York City in 1961 when the late  Reverend John Garcia Gensel , started an evening service at St. Peters Lutheran Church. It was designed for those musicians of his growing night ministry who couldn’t make it to Sunday morning service after playing those late Saturday night gigs.  He invited them to perform “ a worship service by and for jazz musicians…the public is invited”  It became the church home for many of the musicians and their families. The legendary “Duke” Ellington was a frequent worshiper -he called Pastor Gensel “ the shepherd who watches over the night flock”  Duke wrote a tune titled “Shepherd of the Night Flock” which many groups have recorded.

Since then, Jazz Vespers Services have become popular across the country.  A loyal following of jazz fans have made their spiritual home for the last 13 years at Old Pine Street Church in Philadelphia.  A year ago Old First had two things in common with Old Pine: a long history ( Old Pine in the oldest continuously used Presbyterian Church in America, est. 1768) and Ed Klitsch who was a member there before moving to San Francisco. Now we have a third item in common: our own Jazz Vespers Service.

Jazz Vespers at Old First

Certain that the Bay Area’s great corps of jazz musicians would provide the performers,  who would draw the jazz lovers, plus those worshipers seeking an alternative setting for praise and, in time, volunteer support, Ed talked it up.  With the enthusiastic agreement of the Evangelism Committee, Old First held its initial Jazz Vespers Service on Palm Sunday ( April 5 ) 1998, with saxophonist Philip Greenlief and his trio which included Trevor Dunn on bass and Scott Amendola on drums.  The 104 present greatly appreciated the mixture of straight-head jazz with scripture.   Among the attendees were Madeline and Eddie Duran who were to be featured in May.   Mad & Eddie have quickly become Old First favorites and as they live nearby have shown up semi-regularly in attendance- schedule permitting. June brought us multi instrumentalist Don Pender and his quartet.   Don liked Reverend Tim Hart-Andersen and the experience so much he joined OFC in the fall. Since joining he has performed on Sunday mornings with the choir and when the San Francisco Presbytery met at Old First this past May, Don’s  group was part of the worship service.

The First Season

In 1999, each Jazz Vespers Service was a blessing for those who have had the opportunity to attend each one.  Led by the musicians and Revs. Tim Hart-Andersen, Keenan Kelsey  with Susan Young, each has had its own  special moments of spiritual/musical wonder.  They have ranged from moments of gratitude shared aloud from the congregation to up-lifting musical responses from blues singer Frankye Kelly, Jazz kotoist Shirley Muramoto on Easter, young tenor saxophonist Anton Schwartz on Palm Sunday, a very special John Coltrane dedication by Mad Duran for our 150th Big Weekend  and  the touching letter from a neighborhood woman who hadn’t been in church in 20 years and was touched by the spirituality of Jazz Vespers that night. Our season ending vespers special finale with  pianist Mike Greensill and his wife Wesla Whitfield bringing down the house with her moving rendition of “ Duke” Ellington’s “Come Sunday” –a truly magical moment.  

Jazz Vespers has proven to be a natural at Old First.  This could be possibly because of the unusual combination of jazz music in a church service that brings together a diverse group of seekers who are experiencing an alternative setting for praise …. Or perhaps it’s the musicians responding to this focused audience.   Or it could be the excellent acoustical venue that is the Old First Sanctuary… or maybe the twenty years plus momentum of the Old First Concert Series.  Probably all of the above.