Jazz Vespers: Takaaki Otomo, Noriko Ueda, Evan Hyde
A unique jazz prayer service at the "Jazz Church" of NYC. Sundays at 5 since 1965. All are welcome. Free to attend!
Welcome to Jazz Vespers!
However you are connecting with Saint Peter's, we hope you will find a wide and warm embrace. Among the skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of Midtown, this is a place of respite and renewal. Whether in person in our Sanctuary, or streaming from home. Jazz Vespers is free of charge with donations welcome at the door or online.
About Jazz Vespers
Jazz Vespers, NYC's unique jazz prayer service, is held every Sunday at 5:00 P.M. Originating in 1965 with The Rev. John Garcia Gensel, he believed jazz to be "probably the best music for worship because it speaks to the existential situation of a human being. It is the personal expression of the person playing it." Saint Peter’s Church, the “First Church of Jazz,” remains a spiritual home to jazz musicians and lovers of jazz. Founded by Ruth and Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Joe Newman and Sheila Jordan, among many others, today the community represents the best of the New York City jazz scene.
This Week We Welcome...
Takaaki Otomo (piano)
Noriko Ueda (bass)
Evan Hyde (drums)
About Takaaki Otomo:
Born and raised in Hyogo, Japan, Takaaki Otomo began studying classical piano before discovering jazz at age 15. He won the Grand Prize at the 1st Kobe Next Jazz Competition in 2007. After relocating to New York in 2014, he performed at notable venues such as Jazz Forum, Blues Alley in DC, Cellar Dog, Saint Peter’s Church, Bar Bayeux, Minton's to name a few. His 2017 album New Kid in Town, produced by Bernard Hoffer, reached No. 11 on the JazzWeek chart and was featured in DownBeat Magazine. After several active years back in Japan, he returned to New York City in 2025.
About Saint Peter’s
If you are looking for a religious community, this may be a place for you! We are a Sanctuary and Reconciling in Christ Parish of the ELCA. We are a bi-lingual English-speaking and Spanish-speaking community. We are Brown, Black, White and more. We are persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Some of us hold citizenship, others of us are Dreamers, asylees or seeking documentation. A good way to begin this journey is to participate in our Sunday liturgies.
A unique jazz prayer service at the "Jazz Church" of NYC. Sundays at 5 since 1965. All are welcome. Free to attend!
Welcome to Jazz Vespers!
However you are connecting with Saint Peter's, we hope you will find a wide and warm embrace. Among the skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of Midtown, this is a place of respite and renewal. Whether in person in our Sanctuary, or streaming from home. Jazz Vespers is free of charge with donations welcome at the door or online.
About Jazz Vespers
Jazz Vespers, NYC's unique jazz prayer service, is held every Sunday at 5:00 P.M. Originating in 1965 with The Rev. John Garcia Gensel, he believed jazz to be "probably the best music for worship because it speaks to the existential situation of a human being. It is the personal expression of the person playing it." Saint Peter’s Church, the “First Church of Jazz,” remains a spiritual home to jazz musicians and lovers of jazz. Founded by Ruth and Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Joe Newman and Sheila Jordan, among many others, today the community represents the best of the New York City jazz scene.
This Week We Welcome...
Takaaki Otomo (piano)
Noriko Ueda (bass)
Evan Hyde (drums)
About Takaaki Otomo:
Born and raised in Hyogo, Japan, Takaaki Otomo began studying classical piano before discovering jazz at age 15. He won the Grand Prize at the 1st Kobe Next Jazz Competition in 2007. After relocating to New York in 2014, he performed at notable venues such as Jazz Forum, Blues Alley in DC, Cellar Dog, Saint Peter’s Church, Bar Bayeux, Minton's to name a few. His 2017 album New Kid in Town, produced by Bernard Hoffer, reached No. 11 on the JazzWeek chart and was featured in DownBeat Magazine. After several active years back in Japan, he returned to New York City in 2025.
About Saint Peter’s
If you are looking for a religious community, this may be a place for you! We are a Sanctuary and Reconciling in Christ Parish of the ELCA. We are a bi-lingual English-speaking and Spanish-speaking community. We are Brown, Black, White and more. We are persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Some of us hold citizenship, others of us are Dreamers, asylees or seeking documentation. A good way to begin this journey is to participate in our Sunday liturgies.
Good to know
Highlights
- 1 hour
- In person
Refund Policy
Location
Saint Peter's Church
619 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
How do you want to get there?
