Take a musical journey through the “History of Jazz” with a tribute to New Orleans this weekend at the 8th All Angels Jazz Festival. “This has become one of the major celebrations of our church and one of the premiere
Take a musical journey through the “History of Jazz” with a tribute to New Orleans this weekend at the 8th All Angels Jazz Festival.
“This has become one of the major celebrations of our church and one of the premiere music events in the state of Hawaii,” said Rev. Bill Miller, organizer and pastor of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church. “Musicians tell us that there is nothing quite like it anywhere. The spirit of aloha is present throughout every concert, performance and service.”
Friday and Saturday concerts and two free jazz masses Sunday are all at All Angels, 4364 Hardy Street, Lihue.
Part One of “A History of Jazz.” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, starting off with The Dean Taba Quartet featuring Andy Suzuki on sax, Nick Manson, pianist, and Oahu native Abe Lagrimas, Jr.
Matt Lemmler’s New Orleans Jazz Revival Band headlines with fellow New Orleans musicians Jason Marsalis, a drummer and vibraphonist; Rex Gregory, sax and clarinetist; 10-year-old cellist Miles Lemmler; vocalist Kim Prevost; and Bill Solley on banjo and guitar.
“Matt is just a great guy and this is his second trip out here,” Miller said.
Lemmler, a member of the Grammy Board of Governors, is a pianist, composer and arranger who has led the Revival Band through several incarnations. He was living in Texas during post-Hurricane Katrina and performed at a church jazz fest that Miller had established before coming to Kauai The two met in New Orleans last summer.
The trip showed how miracles happen when people show they care and need one another and God, said Miller. In New Orleans especially, it was the power of music that inspired people to come together.
“The rebirth, resurrection and revival of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is really a faith story,” Miller said. “It’s a story about service, sacrifice, community, love, and of course, music.”
The two collaborated on a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald for the 2013 Kauai Jazz Fest. Now Lemmler comes early to write and composes music for the event in the church sanctuary.
“There is a totally amazing energy here,” Lemmler said. “The whole energy of the island is so spiritual in a lot of ways.”
The history concerts begin by tracing the roots to African rhythms, then to Bach, Beethoven and European classical, before following the path of Louie Armstrong from the Storyville whorehouses to the speakeasies of Chicago and then to New York and the world.
“Its been a work in progress,” Lemmler said.
Along the way there are songs by Scott Joplin, Nahalia Jackson and George Gershwin. The concerts are uplifting with inspirational jazz in a great spiritual and sacred space.
“It is a very interesting hour and 10 minutes to cover as much ground as can over two nights,” Lemmler said. “If you don’t hear a certain period on one night then you will hear it the next night.”
A History of Jazz: Part Two will follow at 7 p.m. Saturday with the Revival Band, along with “Swing Shift,” a Kauai band with trombone player Dennis McGraw, David Braun on trumpet, Laine Griffith, Hank Curtis, Darryl Miyasato on sax and Marty Leonard.
The history starts in Congo Square, then follows the jazz funerals, spirituals and rag time, he said. It moves up river to explore Jelly Roll Morton and the blues, then to New York Billy Holiday and Lionel Hampton.
The jazz influence on television and film is also celebrated. From Henry Mancini and Moon River to Sesame Street and the great TV themes of the 70s and 80s, jazz has permeated all areas of the culture.
The masses on Sunday are sacred and follow the texts of the Episcopalian Church, Lemmler said. It is the music and improvisation that makes it a great event.
The 8 and 10:30 a.m. masses feature all 10 performers, four soloists and a 22-voice choir led by Randy Leonard, director of Kauai Voices.
“And the priest,” Miller added.
As the popularity of the event grows, Miller said it is still important to keep it at All Angels. The intimate setting can expand by opening side doors and lanai space.
“We would rather have that intimate space than a performing arts center,” he said. “We get everyone in there somehow, or at least near enough to hear well.”
Tickets for the evening concerts are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Advance tickets are available via PayPal or at the church office until Feb. 6, and the remaining tickets may be purchased at the door. Call 245-3796 or visit stmichaels-kauai.org.
