Five sets of musicians who have wowed audiences at Jazz Vespers over the past few months are set to take the stage again for the final 2013-14 event this Sunday.
They are Deco Swing, with vocalist Lyn Ropiha, guitarist Andrew Davies and double bassist David Day, vocalist Margaret Kitt and guitarist David Kitt, vocalist Jim Gaudin and organist Barbara Dine, and vocalist John Redman with guitarist Anthony Mullany. Redman also appears with his own band, featuring Warren Sang on piano and Will McCee on drums.
There will be two congregation jazz items and opportunities for the audience to sing along to songs with an Easter theme.
Jazz Vespers has been well-supported, averaging more than 70 people each time and hitting a peak of more than 200 during Art Deco Weekend, said founder Reverend Tony Franklin-Ross. It was only made possible by the local musicians who volunteered, he said, particularly Day and Redman, who acted as musical directors and organised the performers.
Donations taken at the Vespers for the Let the children live project have so far raised $2000, to be shared between the Napier Family Centre and Napier Women's Refuge.