Trinity Presbyterian Features Local Musicians in Jazz Sunday Concert Series

User Post By Hope Salley

While many churches and other places of worship add special events and activities to their programs to keep their efforts vibrant, Trinity Presbyterian in Rye offers an interesting twist of the unexpected to its services.

The church happens to have a unique element; several of its members are notable jazz musicians who regularly volunteer their talents. With the name Jazz Sunday, monthly performances take place during Trinity Church’s morning services and feature a rotating lineup of instrumentalists and vocalists from Westchester County.

 

Not surprisingly, Rev. Craig Chapman, the church’s Senior Associate Pastor, says the performances have proved to be successful.

“Music uplifts the spirit and touches the soul,” said Rev. Chapman. “We are blessed to have talented musicians who perform every Sunday; many of them have received notable distinctions and awards. The public is always welcome to attend. We invite all to enjoy it with us.”

 

Trinity Church’s most recent Jazz Sunday performance on July 28 featured an array of talented artists, including Brazilian percussionist Rogério Boccato of Yonkers, who is a deacon at the church and has been featured on two Grammy-nominated albums: Kenny Garrett’s Beyond The Wall and John Patitucci’s release Remembrance, alongside Joe Lovano and Brian Blade.

Boccato has played in projects led by some of today’s leading jazz players and has also collaborated with top-ranking Brazilian artists. He is also a longtime member of the Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo.

 

Peekskill resident David August, also a deacon at Trinity Church, is a pianist and vocalist who studied jazz arranging and composition at the Berklee College of Music. As a New York State certified music educator, he directs the sound team at Trinity Church and runs a popular guitar instructional program for middle school students in the Ossining School District. He also teaches fundamental improvisation techniques for aspiring college-level jazz instrumentalists. 

 

The name Kip Sophos may sound familiar to local residents. The bassist from Dobbs Ferry has played frequently with his jazz jam trio at Pete’s Saloon in Elmsford for weekly shows that have included renditions of Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses” and Don Grolnick’s “Nothing Personal”. Since 1984, he has made his talent unique by building custom four, five, and six string basses, and focuses on the ergonomic playability of instruments.

 

Yonkers resident Mindy Sax, vocalist, has a classical and musical theater career. Off Broadway, she has been seen in many performances with leading roles. She is also co-owner of recording company MRS Records with fellow Trinity Church members Sachi Patitucci and Renee Redmond.

 

Jazz Sunday takes place in July and August at The Woman’s Club of White Plains, 305 Ridgeway, and the rest of the year at School of the Holy Child in Rye, 222 Westchester Avenue, during Trinity Church’s morning service at 9:45 a.m. For more information about Trinity Presbyterian, please visit http://trinitychurch.cc or call 914-967-6247.

 

Trinity Presbyterian

Trinity Presbyterian began in June 1995 as the first daughter church of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan (which began in 1989 under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Tim Keller). Trinity Presbyterian began with six couples and has grown to be a congregation of over 300 members and regular attendees. The church partners with other churches and ministries throughout the region and all over the world in seeking to meet the needs of people. This includes ministries seeking to minister to the hungry, to those facing family crises, and to the most poor around the world. Trinity Presbyterian is also active in new church development—globally, nationally, and locally. Trinity Presbyterian is an active member of the Redeemer Network, the Metropolitan New York Presbytery, and the World Reformed Fellowship. Its theological commitments are Catholic, Evangelical, and Reformed. Our Catholicity is seen in its wholehearted embrace of the historic Christian faith expressed in the ecumenical creeds of the universal church.