Catherine Russell celebrates 60 years of Jazz Vespers

All photos by Jenny Gorman

Marking sixty years of Jazz Vespers at Saint Peter’s, Catherine Russell led a joyous celebration on May 17, 2026. Joined by Miki Yamanaka, Tal Ronen and Maria Marmarou, Russell continued the weekly tradition of Jazz Vespers, bringing this unique and free prayer service to the community. Vespers fittingly began with “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free”, music by Dr. Billy Taylor and Lyrics by Dick Dallas. Not only was he a national voice for jazz, Dr. Taylor also served on the original steering committee for the Jazz Ministry with Pastor John Garcia Gensel in 1965.⁠ 

These vespers invite moments to pause, reflect and settle into moments of peace and reflection. As Pastor Gensel believed, jazz “is probably the best music for worship because it speaks to the existential situation of a human being. It is the personal expression of the person playing it.” With renditions of Duke Ellington’s “Drop Me Off in Harlem” and “Come Sunday,” Russell also paid tribute to a composer whose enduring legacy is woven into the history of Jazz at Saint Peter’s. Ellington first came to Saint Peter’s with his sister Ruth, a regular attender. Ellington’s experiences being in community at Saint Peter’s helped inspire him to Sacred Concerts, later also performed here. With a packed Sanctuary, the crowd gathered warmly celebrated the leaders who have been a part of the deep legacy of Jazz at Saint Peter’s: Musicians, staff, and supporters alike were all recognized in the ways they have helped to bring us to 60 years and will continue far into the future. Watch the entire Jazz Vespers here.