JazzStand on Abrams concerts are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. and take place in Wilshire’s Sanctuary. They are open to all, free of charge. Concerts run approximately ninety minutes followed by a reception with the artists in Community Hall.
About JazzStand on Abrams: Tuesday Nite Jazz brought the best in jazz and blues home to its roots in the African American church by presenting free Tuesday concerts in the historic sanctuary of St. Paul United Methodist Church—a room that once hosted Louis Armstrong. The longest-running free jazz series in Dallas doubled its seating capacity in 2017 with a move to Wilshire’s Sanctuary, symbolizing the partnership that already exists between Wilshire and historic black congregations in the city.
From 1989 to 1994, Brad Leali was lead alto saxophonist for the Harry Connick Jr. Orchestra, serving as its musical director from 1990 to 1994. In 1995, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra. Leali has been a staple in legendary jazz venues like the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Iridium, and Birdland. He performs annually as part of the Kennedy Center Honors program.
Cynthia Scott’s artistry spans jazz, blues, R&B, and Gospel. Overseas, she has performed in Africa, Europe and Asia. She has worked with Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., as well as Lionel Hampton and Cab Calloway in their last performing years. In New York, she has headlined at Birdland, Iridium and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola. As a 2004 U.S. Jazz Ambassador, she toured Benin, Gabon, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and France for the U.S. State Department in conjunction with the Kennedy Center.
Series artistic director Robert Swann describes Wilshire as a welcoming home for an eclectic musical program. “Wilshire found its niche in Dallas as a church that is open and respectful to differences in worldview within a traditional worship format,” he said. “‘The Wilshire Way’ succeeds when people with differing or conflicting views find a common home and agree to be in conversation with one another. It is challenged when anyone falls into the belief that everyone else sees the world exactly as he or she does.”
“The Wilshire Way is like jazz, where everybody’s got something to say, in their own particular way,” added Lynette DeBose, executive director of JazzStand on Abrams.
A 20-year tradition in Dallas jazz has moved to Wilshire, with a full season of free community concerts open to the public. JazzStand on Abrams will present concerts in Wilshire’s Sanctuary, usually the second Tuesday of every month.
All the concerts are free and will be followed by a reception.
More information: https://www.jazzstand.org/2017/08/20/jazz-in-the-wilshire-way/
Wilshire Baptist Church is located at 4316 Abrams Road, Dallas, 75214.