Underscoring the solemnity of Lent, a jazz quartet will be striking a contemplative chord at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Thursday evenings preceding Easter.
Acclaimed saxophonist Reggie Padilla will perform segments of John Coltrane’s 1964 jazz masterpiece and spiritual classic, "A Love Supreme," with Na Hoku Hanohano winner Star Kalahiki singing, Jim Howard on piano and John Hawes on bass.
The quartet started playing weekly at St. Peter’s last fall when jazz vespers services, held 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, were organized in an effort to attract people who hadn’t attended church services lately
Over the past several months, jazz vespers have drawn a mix of St. Peter’s congregants and others, said Bill Remus, a church volunteer and music aficionado. "It’s very unusual — they do applaud" the musicians, even though applause is not the custom during a typical service at the church.
Remus, a professor emeritus of the University of Hawaii’s business school, said for some churchgoers, traditional church hymns or classical compositions "don’t speak to us anymore, so the intention was to provide another musical entryway."
Padilla said, "I use the time at St. Peter’s for spiritual reflection, to unwind from the workweek and to relax. The space at St. Peter’s Church is beautiful … amazing woodwork, stained glass, and not to mention absolutely incredible acoustics."
He added, "The audience, although small, appreciates the music greatly. I find it brings them great joy and offers a different spiritual experience than a regular church service."
The type of music Padilla and company offer at the vespers is described as "contemplative jazz," drawn from the Great American Songbook. It’s meant not so much to entertain as to encourage relaxation and contemplation. The selections match the theme of the homily for a particular service and are interspersed with scriptural readings and prayer. Even so, about three-fouths of the service is usually dedicated to jazz music.
A free soup supper with bread and salad will be served after the Lenten jazz vespers. The meal menu follows the practice of eating sparingly during the 40-day period before Easter. Lent, which started Thursday and ends on Holy Thursday, April 2, prepares Christians for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. The Lenten season includes fasting, penitence and a rededication to God.
Padilla, who once served as music director at Long Island University’s Catholic Campus Parish, said he has wanted to take part in a jazz vespers service since holding that post. "The priest I was working under, Father Ted Brown, showed me some really amazing jazz musicians who were performing at various churches in Manhattan," he said.
Manny Dayao, St. Peter’s director of worship and music, and band director at ‘Iolani School, was instrumental in organizing the quartet’s participation in services. St. Peter’s is at 1317 Queen Emma St.
For additional information, visit www.StPetersHonolulu.org or call 533-1943.
