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 In October 2000 a new Ministry was born at Bethany. We now "Worship the Lord to the Sounds of Jazz" on the first Saturday of every month, from October through June. Our Jazz Vespers are at 6 - 7:30pm, with light refreshments afterwards, giving you time to meet and greet our musicians. Our past featured musicians have included Junior Mance, Yvette Glover, Hilton Ruiz, Cyrus Chestnut, Jimmy Heath, Earl May, Lizz Wright, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Mulgrew Miller, Slide Hampton, Sonny Fortune, Houston Person, and Geri Allen.
Thank you for your continued support as we celebrate our 12th season!
"JAZZ AT BETHANY" T-shirts are available for $25.
 The Positive Community Magazine featured a story on Bethany Baptist Church and how Jazz Vespers came to be.
Click here to read:
"Worshipping the Lord to the
Sounds of Jazz"
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Jazz Vespers Fall 2012 Line Up
ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Supported in part by a grant from Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. |
 October 6th
Courtney Bryan Band
Courtney Bryan, a native of New Orleans, La, is a prolific and eclectic composer, pianist, and arranger. Her compositions range from solo works to large ensembles in the jazz and new music idioms, film scores, and collaborations of dancers, visual artists, writers, and actors. She performs around the New York area, and is the organist and director of the Institute for Sacred Music at Bethany Baptist Church of Newark, NJ.
For more on this artist visit: Myspace.com/CourtneyBryan |
 November 3rd
Billy Harper Quintet
Harper moved to New York in 1966 and began attracting attention from some of jazzdom's giants - Gil Evans, Max Roach, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He performed, recorded and toured Europe, Japan, Africa and throughout the United States from 1966 to 1979 with these groups, as well as his own Billy Harper Quintet.
For more on this artist visit: BillyHarper.com |
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 December 1st
Eric Alexander/Harold Mabern Qt.
Eric Alexander started piano lessons at the age of six. He took up the clarinet at nine and switched to alto sax three years later. The tenor sax became his obsession at Indiana University Bloomington (1986-87). After transferring to William Paterson College in New Jersey he studied with Harold Mabern, Joe Lovano, Rufus Reid, and others. The Eric Alexander Quartet features the legendary pianist Harold Mabern, drummer Joe Farnsworth, and bassists John Webber and Nat Reeves.
For more on these artists visit: EricAlexanderJazz.com and HaroldMabern.com |
 January 5th
Cecil Brooks and all-star group
A contemporary drummer and aggressive, polyrhythmic stylist, Cecil Brooks, III has worked in the New York area with such musicians as Greg Osby, Geri Allen and Lonnie Plaxico. He recorded his debut album as a leader for Muse in 1989, subsequently releasing efforts including 1990's Hangin' with Smooth, 1993's Neck Peckin' Jammie and 2000's Our Mister Brooks in addition to session work in both a hard bop and bebop setting.
For more on this artist visit: AllMusic.com |
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 February 2nd
Rhoda Scott
The number of jazz musicians having adopted the organ are rather few in number, compared to other instruments used in jazz. A minister's daughter, brought up in the classical music tradition, and having attended Manhattan School of Music in New York, surrounded by traditional Afro-American music. Thus it is not surprising to discover, other than her original compositions, wel-known jazz tunes, classical music themes or French airs at the same time as certain Gospels or Negro Spirituals.
For more on this artist visit RhodaScott.com.
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March 2nd -
Helen Sung
An award-winning classical pianist before jazz intervened "in the form of a Tommy Flanagan solo," Houston native Helen Sung is blazing her own path. A Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance graduate, she went on to win the Kennedy Center's Mary Lou Williams Jazz Piano Competition and is now enchanting listeners everywhere with an imaginative, modern artistry that thoroughly captivates: her music swings, it's funky, intelligent, and utterly unique. In addition to her first-rate albums & band, Sung currently appears with fine ensembles including the Mingus Big Band, T.S.Monk, and Terri Lyne Carrington's Grammy-winning Mosaic Project.
For more on this artist visit HelenSung.com. |
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April 6th
Clifton Anderson Quintet 
Clifton Anderson received his first trombone at age 7, a gift from his uncle, Sonny Rollins. Clifton’s career reflects work with a “who’s who” of diverse musical giants including Frank Foster, McCoy Tyner, Clifford Jordan, Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gillespie, Merv Griffin, The Mighty Sparrow, Lester Bowie, Paul Simon, Muhal Richard Abrams, WyClef Jean, and Dionne Warwick among others. Clifton’s Broadway credits include Dreamgirls and Nine.
For more on this artist visit: CliftonAnderson.biz |
May4th
Catherine Russell
Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born with an enviable musical pedigree. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was born in Panama and moved to New Orleans and then New York City. She has toured the world, performing and recording with Paul Simon, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Levon Helm, and Rosanne Cash, among others.
For more on this artist visit: CatherineRussell.net |
June 1st
Rahsaan Pickett |
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