Jazz Band to Play Special Church Service In Chagrin Falls

From Saint Martin's Episcopal Church: Saint Martin's Episcopal Church will hold Good Friday Blues and Lamentations on Friday, March 30; 7:30 p.m. at 6295 Chagrin River Road in Chagrin Falls. This very special service of jazz, silence and poetry will feature the talents of the Gateway Band, led by vocalist Jennifer Cochran and band members.

The traditional reading of the Passion interspersed with jazz blues arrangements from Ellington, Dorsey and poetry from Maya Angelou will be truly unique. This reflective evening is open to all. Free will offering.

The Gateway Band is made of six extremely talented musicians that have extensive performing, recording, touring and teaching careers in the Cleveland area and perform regularly at the Mostly Jazz Mass at Trinity Cathedral.

Vocalist Jennifer Cochran has performed in major roles in many operas and musicals at Cain Park, the Cleveland institute of Music and the Cleveland Opera among others. She is the soloist and cantor at Trinity Cathedral and Director of the Mostly Jazz Mass.

Pianist L.R. Smith was born and raised in Cleveland and has been playing the piano since the age of five. He has worked with many artists and bands of varied genres and many musicians of note such as International society pianist Peter Duchin.

Christopher Burge, saxophone, brought his talents to Cleveland in 1998 and has an extensive portfolio of working with internationally known artists. He is active in the recording studio, playing sax, flute and clarinet for American Greetings e-cards and he wrote and performed the theme song of the WVIZ-PBS TV show “Applause”.

Bassist George Lee enjoys the electric guitar and the double bass and travels extensively to surrounding states and Canada to play with numerous and well established Jazz combos.

Percussionist Michael Janowitz has recorded toured and performed with a number of the finest blues, jazz and rock bands in the Cleveland area. He is the Band Director for the Maple Heights City Schools and has taught Band and Choir in the Cleveland Municipal School District.

Bill Drake having been a regular in the local Cleveland area music scene since sometime in the late 70's, continues as an accomplished guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, song-writer and poet. Current exploits include the duo Sommerfugl, The Smokin' Fez Monkeys, The Zydeco Kings and other assorted musical projects.

Saint Martin’s is located at 6295 Chagrin River Road, Chagrin Falls. For information call the church office at (440)247-7406 or go here.

Photos courtesy of Saint Martin's Episcopal Church: Good Friday Blues and Lamentations feature Gateway Band at Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church, Chagrin Falls