Love Song ft. Bob Ravenscroft Coming to Evanston

On Wednesday, October 17, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will welcome internationally renowned musician and long-time friend of the seminary, Mr. Bob Ravenscroft for his “Love Song” concert. Offering solo expressions of love and inspired by poetry and jazz standards, the “Love Song” concert will mix readings of standard jazz lyrics and other related poetry with both straight-ahead and freestyle solo piano renderings. The concert will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the seminary’s Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful, located at 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome.

Ravenscroft has long been a man in pursuit of sonic perfection. His family has music in its blood, traceable all the way back to Thomas Ravenscroft, composer of the Whole Booke of Psalms in 1621. Four centuries later, Ravenscroft continues to bring a spiritual element and meditative reverence for the environment to his music, but he draws upon an extensive jazz writing, arranging, and performing background to create “live” compositions, enabling his audiences to virtually become part of the creative process.

As a performer, Ravenscroft has worked with countless musicians, both in his own combos and with others, for more than 20 years. His Jazzbird Studio played a pivotal role in the Phoenix music community for two decades, offering jazz instruction, audio production, and numerous concert series. Ravenscroft has released numerous works over the years include Phantasmagoria, Vol. 2, a solo piano work that demonstrates Ravenscroft’s complete abandonment to the pure creative spirit, Organic Synthesis, The Gift of Piano, Christmas Improvisations, Journeys for Disciple, and Beavercreek Meditations.

An able and avid teacher, he has served on several jazz studies faculties over the years and has helped to shape scores of up-and-coming performers. These days, Ravenscroft devotes much of his time performing with Music Serving the Word Ministries, which he founded. Transcending mere performance, Bob is always in pursuit of that special place where, as he says, "music serves the Word."

As a deep supporter of music ministry and the overall mission of the seminary, Ravenscroft and his spouse, Gretchen, have established numerous partial and full scholarships for Garrett-Evangelical’s students. In April 2014, the seminary awarded Ravenscroft the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award, for his years of music ministry to the Church, the academy, and our world.

To learn more about Ravenscoft and the Music Serving the Word Ministries, go to www.musicservingtheword.org.

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 450 students from various denominations and cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy, and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve church and society around the world.

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