South Congregational Church of Springfield hosts Jazz Sunday

Date: 10/26/2009

SPRINGFIELD -- South Congregational Church of Springfield will host Jazz Sunday on Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. The Willie Sordillo Quartet as well as the South Church Chancel Choir and Children's Choir will perform gospel standards and anthems by composers Paul Winter and Jeffrey Ames during the service. The church is located at 45 Maple St. on the corner of Maple and High streets. Refreshments will be served after the service along with an encore free-style performance by the Willie Sordillo Quartet.

"Jazz music is always in the present moment, creating and recreating themes that move our hearts," said Rev. Peter Heinrichs. "That's what we're reaching for on Jazz Sunday letting God shift and enrich our lives through music and joyous prayer."

Accomplished jazz saxophonist, Willie Sordillo (www.williesordillo.com) is a three-time Boston Music Award winner and musical director of a weekly jazz worship service at Old South Church on Copley Square in Boston. Sordillo has shared the stage with such notables as Tito Puente, Rub n Blades, Poncho Sanchez, Richie Havens and Pete Seeger at major music festivals around the world. He's also composed theme music for four films.

Winner of four Grammy Awards, saxophonist Paul Winter (www.livingmusic.com) embraces the spontaneous spirit of jazz by recording sounds from the natural world and weaving them into classical and ethnic music. He's performed his unique compositions in concert halls around the world as well as Washington's National Cathedral, New York's St. John the Divine, the White House and the Grand Canyon. In recognition of his musical contributions to the environment, Winter has received a Global 500 Award from the United Nations, among others.

Jeffrey L. Ames, Ph.D., a sought-after choral educator, accompanist and composer, is the first recipient of the National ACDA James Mulholland Choral Music Fellowship. His choirs have performed at ACDA conventions and Carnegie Hall. Ames has also been a featured clinician, guest conductor and performer in Italy and Costa Rica.

For additional information, please contact Larry Picard at 732-0117 ext. 28 or lpicard@sococh.org. For more information about South Congregational Church of Springfield, visit www.sococh.org.