Jazz trombonist and international recording artist Wycliffe Gordon often brings in other musicians to perform in the area. Most of that has been done at Augusta University, where he serves as director of jazz studies, but the pandemic forced him to find another venue.
Visitors were restricted from campus, and the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre became a lecture hall with social distancing, said Gordon. He created an outdoor jazz vespers program to bring in musicians and provide quality entertainment in a safe space.
Niki Haris will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, at St. Luke Anglican Church on Wheeler Road.
MORE: Gordon Fell in Love with Jazz Early in Life
“It can accommodate 150 to 175 people outside, but if there’s inclement weather, we’d go inside. We can safely seat 65,” he said.
The event is free, but a ticket is required for crowd control purposes.
Gordon said the concert promises to be a great one because Haris is a stellar performer.
“She always produces as excellent show,” he said.
The daughter of Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, Haris toured with Madonna for more than 18 years. She was known as the “big voice” behind Madonna and was part of the film “Truth or Dare” and appeared in many of the pop singer’s videos, according to Haris’s website.
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She’s performed with other big names in the music industry including Ray Charles, Mick Jagger, Whitney Houston and Sheryl Crow.
While she calls Augusta home, she doesn’t perform much in the area, Gordon said.
She released her jazz recordings, “Time and Rhyme” with EC3 and “I’m Glad There is You” with Gordon in 2016 and released her inspirational cd “Lift Thine Eyes” in 2018.
Gordon is not scheduled to perform during the event, but he never says never. If the opportunity presents itself, he could pick up his trombone, he said.
MORE: Concert Calendars Beginning to Fill
To reserve a spot, visit https://gardencityjazz.eventbrite.com. Gordon said to bring a chair, a picnic and some lemonade, and enjoy the show.
Another jazz vespers concert is scheduled for Sept. 12.
The Southern Jazz Quintet featuring Kevin Bales on piano, Delbert Felix on acoustic bass, Dennis DiSano on trumpet and vocals, Edwin Hamilton on drums and Gary Lindsay on alto saxophone will perform next month.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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