Jazzing It Up on Sundays

For some, jazz is like a religion, but a well-kept secret is that one of the best places for jazz locally is in a place of worship.

The fifth season of Jazz at Peace begins Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church and will feature John Calloway.

The interfaith celebration, with some of the most talented Bay Area jazz musicians, happens the second Sunday of each month at 5 p.m.

The program grew from the landmark jazz vespers program at New York's St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Pastor John Garcia Gensel began the Sunday afternoon gig in 1965 for musicians whose late-night performances made it difficult to attend Sunday morning services.

Gensel ministered to many of the jazz royalty of the day, including Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington. Ellington even dedicated part of his "Second Sacred Concert" to Gensel.

In 2005, Pastor Steve Harms of Peace Lutheran heard about the jazzy "Old First Concerts" at Old First Church in San Francisco and worked with that program to start Jazz at Peace.

It has been designated the "West Coast Site for Jazz Vespers" by St Peter's Lutheran Church.

For those looking to scare up something unique on Halloween, mark your calendar for Jazz at Peace's "All Nite Soul" jazz jam, Oct. 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. Costumes are optional.

The season runs through June. Visit the church's website for details.

Cost: Free