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| Annual 'Good Friday Blues' Concert One of the nation's most unique and popular Good Friday celebrations occurs in New York's East Village, where celebrated musicians use the contemporary blues to express the Easter season lessons of contemplation and lamentation. Good Friday Blues Concert and Liturgy Friday April 10, 2009 Noon - 3:00 P.M. St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery 131 East 10th Street @ Second Avenue This year's concert is led by internationally recognized musical artist Jeannine Otis and features: Tony Award nominee Larry Marshall, most recently of Xanadu and The Color Purple Musician/choreographer James Solomon Benn from Ain't Misbehavin' Tyrone Aiken, who toured Europe with Porgy & Bess Noted writer/actor Greg Senf Other artists include award-winning musician Stanley Banks, bassist; Stanton Davis on Trumpet; Art Baron, Trombone; Jimi Ponzi, guitar; Bernice Brooks drummer and Jim Collarusso on trumpet. Film actor Brockton Pierce performs in the role of Jesus, and writer/activist Nell Gibson narrates, along with the St. Mark's Choir serving as a Greek chorus. The blues musical genre is used as a cathartic vehicle to reflect on Christ's struggle from degradation, pain and doubt to God's gift and promise of a bright new existence. New York Bishop Catherine Roskam and St. Mark's Musical Director Jeannine Otis created this one-of-a-kind Good Friday service. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |