Vince Guaraldi Jazz Mass 50th Anniversary Concert at Grace Cathedral

50 years ago, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi set an amazing precedent by composing and performing the very first Jazz Mass presented during a U.S. church service: his "Guaraldi Mass," which debuted May 21, 1965, at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral. This historic event is being honored by a 50th anniversary tribute concert at the same venue — Grace Cathedral — where jazz pianist (and longtime Guaraldi fan) Jim Martinez and his combo will present that music, accompanied by the Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church Choir and select members of the St. Paul's Church Choir who, as children and young adults, sang during that Mass half a century ago...

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50 years ago, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi set an amazing precedent by composing and performing the very first Jazz Mass presented during a U.S. church service: his "Guaraldi Mass," which debuted May 21, 1965, at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral. This historic event is being honored by a 50th anniversary tribute concert at the same venue — Grace Cathedral — where jazz pianist (and longtime Guaraldi fan) Jim Martinez and his combo will present that music, accompanied by the Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church Choir and select members of the St. Paul's Church Choir who, as children and young adults, sang during that Mass half a century ago. The event also will feature opening comments by the Rev. Charles Gompertz, who "hired" Guaraldi for this magnificent assignment, back in late 1963.

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