Evening worship with contemporary prose, poetry, scripture reading and amazing jazz music in our church lounge this time featuring vocalist Cynthia Soriano with the Jarrett Walser Trio
Come and celebrate God as we do a new thing in the spirit of Psalm 150.
Dr. Ardie Walser as singer, pianist and songwriter, was a member of the award winning vocal trio BLACK TIE, two-time winners of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Club (MAC) Award for Outstanding Vocal Group and the winners of the Bistro Awards for Outstanding Vocal Group and Best New York Debut. With Black Tie he has shared the stage with the likes of Melba Moore at Carnegie Hall; Sylvia Sims and Ann Hampton Callaway at Town Hall; and Noel Pointer at Avery Fisher Hall; and performed on radio and appeared on a number of TV shows such as The Joan Rivers Show. He has recorded with a wide range of artists from cabaret to pop including – Jazz Composer, Anke Helfrich; Cabaret Artist, Natalie Douglas; Salsa Singer, Michael Stuart; and Salsa Star, Marc Anthony.
Native New Yorker Cynthia Soriano (vocalist) is a performer that truly captivates her audience. Her rich tone and unique phrasing echo with the influences of Carmen McRae, Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Horn and Billie Holiday.
Cynthia has graced the stages of premier Jazz venues such as the Blue Note, Smoke, Smalls, Dizzy’s Club, Lenox Lounge, Zinc Bar, Minton’s, Showmans and other music rooms in the metropolitan area. She has shared these stages, as leader/featured vocalist, with legendary artists including Houston Person, Johnny O’Neal, and Jerry Weldon. As a composer, she has performed her original compositions at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall.
Cynthia began her formal music education with classical vocal training and later transitioned to Jazz, learning repertoire and Jazz technique under the tutelage of noted musicians Sheila Jordan, Dr. Barry Harris, and Johnny O’Neal.
James Austin Jr (pianist, bandleader) is an accomplished jazz pianist and bandleader who hails from Chicago, IL. He has honed his craft under the tutelage of a number of legendary jazz musicians including extensive study with Barry Harris, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz educators of all time. James' musical achievements include being honored as a featured performer and semifinalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. In recent years, James has performed alongside an illustrious list of singers and musicians in diverse settings throughout the world. He recently served as pianist and arranger for two star-studded concerts at Carnegie Hall under the baton of esteemed musical director, Ray Chew. James is regularly featured in the New York City area as a pianist and bandleader for various live concerts, theatrical performances, and civic and charitable events. He has curated and led the NJPAC Jazz Jam Session series since its inception. Songs in the Key of Wonder, James' debut album, showcases his tasteful instrumental arrangements of a selection of classic compositions from the songbook of the great Stevie Wonder.
Jarrett D. Walser (Drummer, Composer, Educator) What started out as an inquisitive, playful orchestration on pots and pans, at the age of three, grew into a passion. Jarrett’s first love has always been jazz. This allure commenced at the age of 11 when he began studying at NJPAC Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens program. After his studies at NJPAC, he continued to pursue his passion for music at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he received his B.A. and M.M. in Jazz Performance. Jarrett has made a career playing with various artists over a wide variety of genres from jazz, to rock to theater. Some notable artists Jarrett has performed with include Rufus Reid, Chico Freeman and Valery Ponomarev, to name a few. Jarrett currently leads the Jarrett Walser Pack, a modern jazz quartet playing his original compositions, incorporating a mixture of fusion, R & B, funk and rock. When not performing, Jarrett is an educator, sharing his love of music and inspiring the next generation of young artists.
Thaddeus Exposé (Bassist, Educator, Composer, Recording Artist, Inventor) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a professional jazz bassist, educator, composer, recording artist and successful inventor of the “BowStopper.” He is the author of two books: Can’t Catch Me and The Ultimate Jazz Method. Thaddeus earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University. During his career, Thaddeus has performed with the following jazz artists: Marcus Roberts, Red Holt, Stanley Turrentine, The Marsalis', Jennifer Holiday, Billy Pierce, Billy Higgins, Betty Carter, Barry Harris, Donald Harrison, Ira Sullivan, Roy Haynes, Nicholas Payton, Savion Glover and Winard Harper, as well as countless other artists.
He has received numerous Awards:
* National Endowment for the Arts, 1995-96
* Oppenheimer Family Foundation 1995-96
* Chicago Foundation for Education 1995-96
* Hot 97 Hip Hop Symphony Program 2000
* Louis Armstrong Education Foundation Grant Recipient 2003
* Avon Avenue Nomination New Jersey Teacher of the Year 2004
* Newark Public School “Rookie Teacher of the Year 2005
* The Geraldine R, Dodge Teacher Fellowship Award 2009
* The Barry Manilow Music Teacher Award 2022