Jazz Vespers

Wednesday, December 11, Sanctuary, 7:30pm. FRS welcomes poet Alfred Nicol of West Newbury for readings and Mark Earley (Room full of Blues) on saxophone, Chris Plante on piano, and Josh Schultz on bass.

Alfred Nicol lives in West Newbury and is an award winning poet who worked in the printing industry for 20 years after graduating from Dartmouth College where he received the Academy of American Poets Prize. A long-time member of the Powwow Poets, he edited the Powwow River Anthology. He was a recipient of the Richard Wilbur Award in 2004 for his first book of poems, Winter Light.  His poems have appeared in Poetry, The New England Review, Dark Horse, Commonweal, The Fromalist, The Hopkins Review,and the Best American Poetry in 2018. 

Mark Earley is a two time Grammy nominated and W.C. Handy Award winning saxophonist who knows how to channel the spiritual magic of music to make the flow of a party groove in just the right way. In venues from NYC’s Lincoln Center to the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Moscow International Performing Arts Centre to Le Meridien Etoile’s Jazz Club in Paris, he has collaborated with scores of world-class musicians. Jay McShann, Albert Collins, Louis Bellson, Joe Williams, James Cotton, Billy Boy Arnold, Otis Clay, Gerald Levert, Joey McIntyre, Bobby Brown, Taj Mahal, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Victor Wainwright, and Roomful of Blues are but a handful of world-renowned artists who have recognized his extraordinary talent. Equally at home as a featured performer or setting the mood for an intimate gathering of friends, Mark will share the notes from his lifelong musical journey.

Chris Plante, a.k.a Modslee, is a composer and producer based in Newburyport, MA. Chris was studying classical piano and became a member of National Piano Guild from ages 5-15 before being taken under the wing of legendary jazz musician and theorist Les Harris Sr. at the age of 13. As lead singer and songwriter, Chris helped form nationally touring indie rock band The Brew and performed alongside The Black Keys, Michael McDonald, Bruce Hornsby, The Allman Brothers and many more. In 2015 Chris formed his company CP Pro Audio Inc. to pursue film scoring which was his major during his time at Berklee College of Music. Chris’s produced material has accrued over 50 million streams on Spotify and landed on dozens of editorial Spotify playlists. His work with local lyricist /artist Betsy Woodman has seen over 6 albums released and the duo have written for NBC Sports coverage of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

Joshua Schultz is a bassist and educator living in Groveland MA. After starting his musical journey on the cello, Joshua found his passion on the upright bass at age 13, starting his professional career on the instrument by 15. After a recommendation by Chris Plante, Joshua studied with Les Harris Sr. and expanded his musical horizon.  Under the mentorship of bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa, Joshua is studying classical & jazz music on the upright bass; with pianist Rusty Scott, Joshua is learning jazz piano; with guitarist Al Whitney, Joshua is studying guitar. Combined with Les’ teachings, Joshua continues to widen his understanding of small ensemble music.

Please come and join us at 730 PM In the Sanctuary for jazz and poetry and a chance to unwind midweek with a stellar ensemble.

Vespers is free – bring some friends!