Commemorative Benefit Concert on May 8

Rev. Peter O’Brien, S.J., who teaches in the English department at Saint Peter's College, shares information about an exciting upcoming event. He is the director of The Mary Lou Williams Foundation, which spreads the music and memory of Mary Lou Williams, a great jazz pianist and composer (1910-1981). Ms. Williams came to Saint Peter's for a three day residency in 1973.

The concert on May 8, 2010, in honor of the 100th anniversary of her birth, will benefit Xavier Mission, the community outreach program of the Church of St. Francis Xavier. The Mission has provided vital assistance to New York City’s neediest for more than a quarter of a century serving more than 1 million meals at its Welcome Table soup kitchen. Expect to hear a selection of the sacred music Ms. Williams composed, including “Hymn to Saint Martin de Porres - Black Christ of the Andes” and “Mary Lou’s Mass.”

The lineup will include: renowned jazz pianist Aaron Diehl with his trio, including special guest Victor Goines on saxophone and clarinet; Yasushi Nakamura on bass and Marion Felder on drums; Laurel Massé, founding member of the vocal group Manhattan Transfer and a 40-voice choir directed by John Uehlein, music director at the Church of St. Francis Xavier.

Advance tickets ($40 Premium, $20 General, $10 Student with ID) may be purchased at a reduced rate online at www.sfxavier.org. Tickets will also be available at the door that evening ($50 Premium, $30 General, $15 Student with ID).