Jazz Vespers

Vespers originally came to light as Evening Prayer around the church.  These formalities circled around meditation and reflection.  A Jazz Vespers service follows the same format with the inclusion of jazz music in varying degrees of ensemble where the congregation can listen through the heart where words have trouble making its way through the mind.

One does not need to be a christian follower to enjoy the music of any Jazz Vesper service.  One just needs to enjoy music.

After a baptism by fire as our interim Music Director through the fall of 2022, Mikey Zahorak was confirmed longer-term in the position as of January 2023. He brought a fresh wave of inspiration to music-making in worship, smoothly integrating some secular music with the more traditional choral repertoire, and uplifting us with his postludes. Working with St. Matthew’s Music Director, Paul Jessen, Mikey has gained the confidence of the blended choir, directing us with and without piano accompaniment in a wide variety of styles, and adding colour on drums, guitar and saxophone. David Passmore oversaw the installation of our organ’s old system of presets, and since January 2024, Mikey has been building up his organ chops in preparation to take over Bloor Street’s instrument. 

“Song of the Sea” (from Bloor Street United’s 2023-2024 Annual Programs Report)

ARRANGEMENTS

Hymns, Jazz arrangements

  • “We Turn To You” from Voices United 685 (2024) — Samba arrangement for piano + trumpet + bass

  • “For the Healing of the Nations” from Voices United 678 (2024) — Waltz Swing arrangement for piano + trumpet + bass

  • “As a Fire is Meant for Burning” from Voices United 578 (2024) — Afro-cuban arrangement for piano + trumpet + bass

Hymns, Instrumental Descants

  • “We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection” from Voices United 586 (2024) — Trumpet

  • “For All the Saints” from Voices United 705 (2024) — Trumpet

  • “God, As With Silent Hearts” from Voices United 527 (2024) — Trumpet

  • “Amazing Grace” from Voices United 266 (2024) — Trumpet

Sacred, Accompanied

  • “I Am An Earth Being” by Norman Habel (2023) — S.A.A.T.B.B. — poem set to “Morning Has Broken”

Secular, A Cappella

  • “Were You There” from an African Spiritual (2024) — S.A.T.B. with Soprano solo — commission by Trinity St. Paul United Church for Good Friday

  • “Down to the River to Pray” by Allison Krauss (2023) — S.A.T.B. with Soprano + Alto + Bass solos

Secular, Accompanied

  • “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel Like To Be Free” by Billy Taylor (2023) — S.A.T.B.

  • “Sympathy for the Devil” by Rolling Stones (2023) — S.A.T.B. with Alto + Tenor + Bass solos

  • “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” by Claude-Michel Schönberg (2023) — S.A.T.B. with Tenor solo

  • “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford and Sons (2023) — S.A.T.B. with Tenor solo

  • “Into the Fire” by Bruce Springsteen (2023) — S.A.T.B.

  • “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen (2023) — S.A.T.B. with Bass solo

  • “Hurt” by Johnny Cash (2022) — S.A.T.B. with Bass solo

  • “Home” by Philip Phillips (2022) — S.S.A.T.B.

  • “Everything In Its Right Place” by Radiohead (2022) — S.A.T.B.

  • “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson (2022) — S.A.A.T.B.B.