Carolbeth True

The Oikos Ensemble, led by Rev. Cliff Aerie--saxophone, leads worship incorporating jazz tunes and improvisation on traditional hymns, along with choir anthems and organ stylings by Leon Burke. The Ensemble features Cliff--saxophone; Kim Fuller and Leon Burke--vocals; Carolbeth True--piano; Glen Smith--bass; Dave True--drums. For more information: www.firstchurchwg.org.

DREAMS AND VISIONS—A JAZZ TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SUNDAY JANUARY 19TH The Oîkos Ensemble, under the direction of the Rev. Cliff Aerie will perform a sacred jazz concert, Dreams and Visions: A Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, at St. John United Church of Christ, 307 W. Clay St., Collinsville, IL, on Sunday January 19th at 3:00 pm. For almost twenty years, Cliff has led the Oîkos Ensemble receiving rave reviews from around the country. Designing imaginative sacred jazz concerts and choreographing jazz worship services, Cliff and the ensemble have been acknowledged as innovators on the vanguard of creative interfaith and ecumenical celebrations. Joining Cliff on sax are some of the St. Louis area’s finest jazz musicians: pianist Carolbeth True, trumpeter Tim Osiek, bassist Glen Smith, and drummer David True. Special guest vocalists include Kim Fuller Barnes, Dr. Leon Burke III and Arianna Aerie. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a fan of jazz. At the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1964 he said, “Jazz speaks for life. The blues tells the story of life’s difficulties.” He went on to say that jazz musicians “take the hardest realities of life and put them to music . . . to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph.” Affirming these words and honoring his lifelong ministry in the struggle for racial equality and justice advocacy, Oîkos and company will tell a story of the quest for human liberation and freedom. Tickets are $30.00 each, and will be available in the Narthex, Sunday morning after worship. You may also purchase tickets in the Church Office.