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For Immediate ReleaseContact: Rev. Cliff Aerie216-870-1548, [email protected]
Good Friday Blues:A Jazz Lamenta t ion Based on the Gospe l o f Mark
Fea tur ing t he O îkos Ensemble
Fr iday , Apr i l 14 t h a t 7 : 00 p .m. F i rs t Congregat iona l Church o f Webster Groves , UCC
The Oîkos Ensemble, under the direction of saxophonist Rev. Cliff Aerie, will lead worshippers in a unique setting of the Good Friday story. The Gospel of Mark will be brought alive through jazz, scriptural storytelling, and contemporary poetic reflection.
The Oîkos Ensemble, comprised of some of St. Louis’ most creative jazz musicians, will play works by John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and the Billie Holliday classic, “Strange Fruit.” Interpretive reader’s will highlight the passion narrative, and the Rev. Geoffrey Black (Visiting Professor of Leadership and Ecumenical Studies at Eden Seminary) will offer poetic reflections from an apochryphal diary—a creative view of crucifixions in our contemporary world.
The Rev. Dave Denoon, pastor of First Congregational Church says, “We’re fortunate to have the Oîkos Ensemble as our occasional artists in residence. Cliff and the band bring a vibrant jazz ministry to the life of our church. We’re pleased to share this creative worship presentation with the St. Louis community and invite everyone to join us for an evening of jazz meditation and spiritual blessing. Good Friday Blues is free to all.”
About the Oîkos EnsembleThe Oîkos Ensemble has performed in more than 300 churches around the country in a variety of ecumenical settings. Rev. Cliff Aerie and the ensemble have been acknowledged as innovators in the vanguard of creative ministry and worship renewal. Performing with Cliff are vocalists Kim Fuller and Arianna Aerie, pianist Carolbeth True, bassist Glen Smith and drummer David True.
Cliff has a uniquely varied background in the arts and ministry. He has performed at international jazz festivals, hosted Jazz Alive on NPR, acted off-broadway, pastored five congregations, founded an experimental arts ministry, and worked as a media producer. Cliff has been leading jazz worship services for more than forty years. He maintains, “When jazz musicians gather to perform, their collective improvisation becomes an adventure in storytelling—melody, harmony and rhythm resonating as a prayerful offering to the Creator.”
What: Good Friday Blues & Jazz LamentationWhere: First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, UCC
10 West Lockwood Ave (at Elm)Webster Groves, MO 63119www.firstchurchwg.org/music
When: Good Friday, April 14th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.Admission: Free and open to all
