Come join us for an incredible event at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church on March 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM. We’ll be recording a live album and raising funds for a scholarship at Capilano University Jazz Department!
At a time of relentless budget cuts to grade school, secondary, and post-secondary music programs across metro-Vancouver, the congregation of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church is collaborating with the Jazz Studies Department of Capilano University to establish a new scholarship. The board of St. Andrew’-s Wesley has committed $5,000 to the new scholarship fund, and we are seeking to raise an additional $5,000 at our upcoming scholarship fundraiser event. Join us from 3-5:15pm on Saturday, March 14th for a live album recording session, featuring the music and arrangements of Pastor Ben MacRae, Minister with Jazz Ministries, Youth & Young Adults, in great company. All the musicians are offering their art pro bono in the service of music education and public fundraising. The band was intentionally called together to represent an intersectional community of friends that all deeply respect the Black roots that belies this music.
The album is scheduled to be produced, mixed, and mastered by sound engineer Marc L’Esperance, with generous assistance board, staff, and ministry team of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. Soon to be recorded live at StAW, the Very Reverend Doctor Gary Paterson (former moderator of The United Church of Canada from 2012 to 2015) is scheduled to emcee the live recording concert. Sōwáselek Michael Jimmie (Coast Salish, Stó:lō Nation; Halq’eméylem: Ts’elxwéyeqw, English: Chilliwack) will offer a welcoming drum song as well as the territorial acknowledgement of the unceded, ancestral, sacred, and current lands upon which the entire concert, from beginning to end, was produced and recorded: xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Daniel Hersog (performer-composer and department chair of the Capilano University Jazz Studies Department) will offer a word on behalf of the university. The album cover art is being created by local artist visual and textile artist Elliott Sukorokoff.
The band:
Vocals – Amber Tsang, guest artist
Soprano Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, & Composer – Ben MacRae
Flute, Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones – Skye Eriksen
Trumpet – Trevor Whitridge
Trombone & Tuba – George McNally
Piano – Strauss Whiteside
Double Bass & Electric Bass – Riley Poystila
Drums – Buff Allen
Harp – Elisa Thorn, guest artist
Details:
Saturday, March 14, 2026
3:00 – 5:15 PM
By donation at the event
Light reception available
Merchant tables will be available (cash and e-transfer)
Because this is a live recording and requires a quiet space, the doors will close 20 minutes before showtime. We kindly ask that all phones be turned off during the recording to avoid any accidental sounds. Thank you so much for your understanding!
