Music & Poetry at Jazz Vespers

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Reverend Rashad Raymond Moore and Emcee Steve Cromity

Music & Poetry at Jazz Vespers

First Baptist of Crown Heights Celebrates Black History

The First Baptist Church of Crown Heights hosted its Annual Jazz and Poetry Evening on February 27 as part of its Black History Month celebration. The featured musical artist was saxophonist Gene Ghee and his Trio, which included Radam Schwartz on the Hammond B3 organ; Ron Jackson, guitar; and G. Earl Grice on drums. Together, they played some foot tapping, head bobbing jazz that resonated with the appreciative audience.

After the first set came the poets, all outstanding. Christian Waterman’s poem spoke of advocating HipHop to greater legitimacy. Angelica Kreations’ poem was a profound dramatization memorializing the four little girls who were victims of the 1963 Alabama church bombing. She was followed by Michael Sanders, a published poet, who rendered three short poems on love, the essential of reading, and why not quit. Finally, Denise Hinton, also a published poet, spoke poignantly about family life.

The evening was part of the church’s Jazz Vespers program, renamed the Rev. DG Bloodsaw Jazz Vespers in honor of its founding pastor who has relocated. Four Christian Waterman’s poem spoke of advocating for Hip-hop to gain greater legitimacy

Denise Hinton, co-emcee

Saxophonist Gene Ghee

concerts yearly commemorate jazz, America’s original art form created by African Americans. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in AfricanAmerican music traditions including blues and ragtime, The newly installed third shepherd of the 67-yearold church, Reverend Rashad Raymond Moore, an avid music and jazz fan, is taking the church to greater heights. —TPC Staff

32 The Positive Community March 2020 Angelica Kreations’ poem was a profound dramatization memorializing the four little girls who were victims of the 1963 Alabama church bombing