Evening worship with contemporary prose, poetry, scripture reading and amazing jazz music in our church lounge this time featuring The Gil Scott Chapman Trio.
Come and celebrate God as we do a new thing in the spirit of Psalm 150.
Dr. Ardie Walser as singer, pianist and songwriter, was a member of the award winning vocal trio BLACK TIE, two-time winners of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Club (MAC) Award for Outstanding Vocal Group and the winners of the Bistro Awards for Outstanding Vocal Group and Best New York Debut. With Black Tie he has shared the stage with the likes of Melba Moore at Carnegie Hall; Sylvia Sims and Ann Hampton Callaway at Town Hall; and Noel Pointer at Avery Fisher Hall; and performed on radio and appeared on a number of TV shows such as The Joan Rivers Show. He has recorded with a wide range of artists from cabaret to pop including – Jazz Composer, Anke Helfrich; Cabaret Artist, Natalie Douglas; Salsa Singer, Michael Stuart; and Salsa Star, Marc Anthony.
Gil Scott Chapman - pianist
Gil Scott Chapman was born and raised in the town of Westfield, NJ. He began his classical music studies at the age of 7 with Dr. Loretta Jankowski; where under her tutelage he won and placed in various piano competitions.
Gil earned his Bachelors in Jazz Studies–and Masters in Improvisation from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)–where he had the opportunity to study under world renown jazz pianists Geri Allen and Benny Green.
Gil’s had the pleasure of participating and placing in various international piano competitions, in places such as South Africa, Switzerland, and England; and he currently enjoys touring as a pianist for The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and performing in residency at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Charlie Himel - Bass
Bassist Charlie Himel grew up in a musical family in Falls Church, VA. His grandfather was a college choir director, and his parents met competing at a Battle of the Bands. Since moving to Brooklyn, NY in 2014, he has had the humbling opportunity to work with jazz luminaries such as Michael Kanan, Peter Mihelich, Alex Graham, Greg Ruggiero, Katie Cosco, Steve Ash, and Carol Morgan.
He has held residencies and toured with bands such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Grand Hotel Orchestra, The James Hunter Six, Nefesh Mountain Band, and Wild Magnolia.
Charlie now resides in Englewood, NJ, and maintains a full-time schedule as an in demand bassist in the Tri-State area and abroad.
Jarrett Walser - Drums
Jarrett Walser is a musician that brings vibrant sensitivity and rich nuances to an expressive style on the drums that is refreshing. His ease and versatility in several genres (jazz, rock, R&B, the blues, funk) has made him a highly sought-after drummer. As a member of U.L.T.R.A. S (formally known as The Fanny Pack) you can hear the infusion of those styles on display.
What started out as an inquisitive, playful orchestration on pots and pans, at the age of three, grew into a passion. Jarrett’s first love has always been jazz. This allure commenced at the age of 11 when he bega studying at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s (NJPAC) Wachovia Jazz for Teens program in 2001. During his 7 years at NJPAC, he had the fortunate opportunity to study with jazz greats -- Ralph Peterson, Cecil Brooks III, Dion Parson, Mark Gross, Valery Panomarev, Joris Teepe and Mike LeDonne.
After his studies at NJPAC, he continued to pursue his passion for music at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he received his B.A. (2012) and M.M. (2017) in Jazz Performance. While there he was able to study with world-class musicians -- Victor Lewis, Ralph Bowen and Conrad Herwig to name a few. He has also performed with several notable musicians including bassists Rufus Reid, Kenny Davis, vocalist Carla Cook, trumpeter Valery Panomarev’s: Our Father Who Art Blakey Big Band, Eddie Allen’s groups PUSH, Eddie Allen Quintet and 3hree for Louis: Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Lance Bryant: SHOUT Big Band as well as Jazz Saxophonist Chico Freeman.
Jarrett has played at numerous major music venues in New York City including Dizzy’s Club Cocoa-Cola, The Iridium, The Blue Note, The Zinc Bar, and Carnegie Hall. He maintains constant engagements at various concert halls, clubs, and private and public events.
When not performing, Jarrett loves teaching and is on staff at NJPAC and His &Her Music as an instructor, has private students, and conducts master classes for young children.
Jarrett is an artful musician that is only at the genesis of his career. The best is yet to come.