FROM STAFF REPORTS

Everyone is invited to the First United Methodist Church of Montevallo for its Jazz Communion service on March 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Chuck King and Friends, a Shelby County ensemble, will perform sacred music that has been sung and performed in the church setting since the 1700s.

Dr. Mike Mahan, coordinator of the event, explained that jazz, America’s major contribution to the music world, had its beginning in the churches of the South. African Americans who were brought into this country in bondage used their native rhythmic patterns and applied the 60-plus rhythms to traditional church music. As a result of this free expression, jazz, as we know it, was born. Ragtime, Dixieland and contemporary Progressive Jazz all came from these roots. The worship service hosted by MFUMC will tell the story of jazz as it was born within the church.

Along with trumpet player and singer Chuck King of Columbiana, the musicians are: piano, Dr. Ed Robertson of Montevallo; drums, Dr. David Langford of Bessemer; trombone, Dr. David Thomas of Selma; clarinet and saxophone, Ron Rooks of Auburn; cornet, Bill Walker of Dadeville; bass, Dr. Mike Mahan of Briarfield; pipe organ, Stuart Johnson of Birmingham; tuba, “Red” Lehr of New Athens, Ill., who is considered to be the world’s best Dixieland, Rag and Jazz performer.

Narrator of the service will be Dr. Brian Wyatt, and supporting performers will include: the FUMC Chancel Choir under the direction of Bart Tolbert and accompanied by Bob Cowan and Sarah Arnold on the piano and organ. The congregation will be asked to sing, clap, stomp their feet and “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

For information, call 665-7535.