Help Us Celebrate a Decade as Ambler's Premier Musical Venue!

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 45 North Ridge Avenue, Ambler, prepares to celebrate a decade as Ambler’s premier music venue. On Sunday, May 1 the little white church will honor its three Ministers of Music, cellist and pianist Jim Holton, flutist Cindy LeBlanc, and cantor Christine Djalleta, for their roles in providing the congregation and the community with outstanding sacred, classical, jazz, and gospel music.

All three musicians have degrees in music as well as notable careers. Jim Holton and Cindy LeBlanc, who have performed with leading jazz recording artists like Mike Boone, Tim Warfield, John Swanna, and Tyrone Brown, can also be heard on Sunday mornings turning their talents to Bach, Handel and the sacred classics. Jim, a jazz composer and arranger, who has been featured on WRTI, regularly plays gigs throughout the Delaware Valley and teaches piano, cello, music theory and improvisation. Cindy, a Louisiana native, who has been chosen “Outstanding Jazz Flutist” in the Jazz Philadelphia readers’ poll, also plays widely and teaches students “from 5 to 72+” years old. Christine, an attorney by profession, is part of two a cappella ensembles, Sweet Harmony and Voice Is, devoted to singing classical, sacred and popular music.

May Day festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a reception for the three musicians, followed by the church’s monthly Jazz Vespers at 7 p.m., adding the talents of Hideo Morris, vibes; Justin Sekelewski, bass; and Adam Pfannenstiel, drums, to the musical mix. They’ll be joined by Philly’s own jazz legend Tony Williams on the alto saxophone with other guest artists sitting in for a jam session that has been called “the best jazz in the ‘burbs.”

Pastor Rachel Anderson will mark the occasion with the 10th annual “Blessing of the Musicians,” in thanks to God and the church’s three Ministers of Music for the unique diversity, character and quality of the musical talent that has become such a vital part of St. John’s.

Admission to the evening’s events is free; a free-will offering, which may include the gifts of peanut butter and jelly for the local food cupboard, will be accepted. For more information call 215-646-2451 or visit www.stjohnsambler.org.