Unity East Church Center

If you’ve ever needed a hit of can-​do prosperity affirmations combined with unflinching yet humorous social commentary topped off with
concert-​hall quality jazz, then mark your calendar on the 3d Sunday of every month for Jazz Vespers (3−5PM) at Unity East Church Center. My experience of today’s inaugural swing jazz concert brought to mind an era of homespun Brooklyn that one rarely stumbles
upon in this era of corporate sponsorships and strategic branding.
The musical lineup today (7÷20÷08) was led by James Weidman, accompanyist to Abbey Lincoln and Cassandra Wilson. He was supported by seasoned musicians Quentin Franklin on bass, Charene Dawn on vocals and Craig Haynes – the son of the legendary Roy Haynes – on drums. Firebrand curator Keisha St. Joan mesmerized with her spun silk vocals on «A Beautiful Friendship».
Apparently the musical lineup will rotate and I expect subsequent Jazz Vespers will equal or surpass in quality. I’m not a jazz head and can easily get restless. Happily that was not the case today.
Though not a traditional church service, Rev. Andrea Payne took the pulpit at intervals to lead a meditation, and later to expound on the power of love and prosperity while taking a poke at the credit card industry. She takes her message seriously, but not herself and her willingness to be vulnerable onstage makes church seem like a pretty neat place to go on a Sunday.
At the time of this writing, the event was free and the donation basket was passed at the end of the performance. Call in advance to confirm scheduling.