St. Peter's Jazz Program Continues as Ever,-- Summer 2013

The "Jazz Ministry," which has been going on at St. Peter's Church at East 54th Street and Lexington Avenue ever since I can remember, continues as busy as ever this summer...

 The Ministry, which includes a number of weekly events as special programs and events, has a Summer Midday  Concert Program already in Full Swing...

This from their website:

Thursdays At 12:30 P.M. During The Summer Months

Each Thursday over the course of the summer months Saint Peter’s Church, in partnership with Boston Properties and the Midtown Arts Common and its partners, hosts a series of jazz concerts for the midtown community.

Held in the public outdoor plaza between Saint Peter’s Church and 53rd Street at Lexington Avenue, these midday concerts are free of charge and open to the general public. Many people bring a lunch or purchase it from one of the several area vendors. While every effort is made to host Jazz on the Plaza outdoors, in the event of inclement weather the concert may be moved indoors to the Sanctuary of Saint Peter’s Church, where guests are asked not to bring food.

Concerts begin at 12:30 P.M. and run for a little over an hour. May dates generally feature jazz groups from area colleges and performing arts high schools, a way to support the ongoing development of young jazz musicians. From June through August audiences enjoy a variety of well-regarded artists. Care is made to present a diversity of ensembles and styles ranging from small trios to large big bands.

Some of the other programs..

The jazz ministry at Saint Peter’s Church seeks out new and innovative ways to meet the changing concerns of jazz musicians, their families and those who love jazz music.

First Tuesdays Seminars

Saint Peter’s Church, Chamber Music America and Midtown Arts Common present free monthly professional development seminars for ensembles and presenters the first Tuesday of most months between 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. Speakers address a wide range of topics.
Support for these Seminars also comes the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The MetLife Foundation supports audio recording.

Duke Ellington Society

The Duke Ellington Society celebrates the life and music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Its mission is to develop an appreciation and understanding of this music. The society meets monthly September through June.

International Women in Jazz

International Women in Jazz supports women jazz artists and related professionals. The organizations seeks to foster a greater awareness of the diverse contributions women make to jazz worldwide. Women, men, jazz professionals, students and enthusiasts who love and support jazz are welcome to take part in programming. Generally International Women in Jazz hosts events at Saint Peter’s Church the first Monday of every month and an annual Spring festival.

Jazz Foundation of America

Saint Peter’s Church partners with the Jazz Foundation of America to address a variety of needs of jazz musicians, most notably at the time of a death and other times of crisis. Whether a memorial, a tribute or a fundraising initiative, the jazz ministry at Saint Peter’s Church and the Jazz Foundation of America continue to work closely together in serving the jazz community.

For more information about St. Peter's and its activities, try their website at

http://www.saintpeters.org/jazz/midtown-jazz/