The music ministry of St. Gabriel Church, 5505 Bardstown Road, will present “The Nutcrackers,” a local jazz ensemble, in a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 7. The concert is free and open to the public and is part of the church’s 2014-2015 Music Ministry Concert Series.
The ensemble is under the leadership of St. Gabriel pianist Louie Hehman, with Patrick Ahrens on vibraphone, John Brennan on drums, Dave Neill on bass, Noah Reed on saxophone and Will Wilder on guitar. All the ensemble members are alumni of Bellarmine University and have performed together for more than four years. In addition to appearing in recitals and concerts at Bellarmine and at the University of Louisville, they have played at parties and events at the French Lick Resort, the 21C Museum, The Brown Hotel, The Galt House, The Rudyard Kipling and other local venues.
They have toured internationally as members of the Bellarmine University Jazz Ensemble and have performed in Italy, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Their set list for the Dec. 7 concert will include both sacred and secular jazz arrangements of Christmas music in the styles of John Coltrane and Vince Duiraldi.
The concert is expected to last about an hour, and refreshments and treats from St. Nicholas will be provided afterwards.
Future events in the St. Gabriel concert series will include a Christian rock concert, performances by local choral ensembles and a vocal concert featuring St. Gabriel musicians. All events are free and open to the public.
For information about the series, contact director of music ministry Laura Kline at lkline@stgabriel.net or at 494-6334.
