August 14th, 7pm: Unitarian Church Concert

Jazz, Pop, and Contemporary Gospel Unitarian Universalist Benefit Concert

Kaoru Azuma: Voice

Jesse Forest: Guitar

Parker Shper: Piano

Robinson Morse: Bass

7pm Start

Sliding scale $5 – $1,000 tax deductible donation

All proceeds will go to the Unitarian Church Monday Lunch program

The Unitarian Church of Montpelier

130 Main St
Montpelier, VT 05602

Vocalist Kaoru Azuma and guitarist Jesse Forest are excited to be joined by renowned Vermont musicians pianist Parker Shper and bassist Robinson Morse for a one-night only concert at the Unitarian Church!

The concert will feature popular songs from Joni Mitchell and the Beatles, classic jazz standards, and a collection of recently composed contemporary Gospel songs.

All proceeds will go to support the Unitarian Universalist Church’s Monday charity lunch program. Tax deductible receipts available on request.

About the music:

Wonderlands is a whimsical and minimalist album of retrospective jazz standards reimagined for our modern age.

Star In Green is a project of acoustic duo music showcasing popular songs, Brazilian samba, and avant-garde originals.

Drop, Drop, Slow Tears is an album of contemporary Gospel music composed by Yukari Endo, an acclaimed Japanese jazz singer and dentist released posthumously. It explores themes found in the Old Testament and the Torah that serve as a bridge between modern faiths.

The show will also feature original compositions from Jesse Forest’s critically acclaimed album Lights Out.

About the performers:

Kaoru Azuma

Kaoru Azuma is known for her vocal range and imaginative reinterpretation of jazz standards. Her second album Footprints in New York was critically acclaimed in the USA and Japan. She is a frequent featured performer at jazz clubs, hotels, and festivals around Japan.

Jesse Forest

Jesse Forest studied classical guitar before moving to New York City, where he earned a BFA in Jazz Performance and performed at iconic venues like the Cornelia Street Café and the ZINC Bar. Since relocating to Japan in 2010, he has performed with the Global Jazz Orchestra and released his original album Lights Out in 2016, followed by a national tour. Forest remains active as a composer, accompanist, session musician, and bandleader.

Parker Shper

Montreal-based pianist and composer Parker Shper blends psychedelic soundscapes, analog synths, and modern piano into a unique, genre-defying style. A former McGill University student and collaborator with artists like Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry, he’s become a fixture in the experimental indie music scene. He is international touring artist with Craig Finn from the Hold Steady and Leif Vollebekk.

Robinson Morse

Robinson Morse, a native of Vermont from a musical family known for its contributions to jazz, maple sugaring, and farming, is a seasoned improviser and skilled luthier. With decades of experience, he has played, composed, and restored string instruments in the Green Mountains. In addition to his work as a musician and craftsman, Morse has held the bass chair for Hadestown, the Tony Award-winning Broadway show created in Vermont.