April 4, 2003 – Sunday's Jazz Vespers presentation is "Anysa Sharif with the Billie Holiday Story." The concert, continuing a monthly series, takes place at 5:30 p.m. at St. Croix Reformed Church in Estate La Reine.
Sharif, a native of Bostonian, first heard the music of Billie Holiday at age 15 while a student at Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts. Ever since, Sharif says, the jazz great's music has been at the core of her own being. One of her dreams is oneday to produce an independent film about Holiday's life.
It was also at the age of 15 that Sharif became a background singer with Parliament/Funkadelic during the group's 1977 "Take Funk to Heaven" tour. She has also performed with Boston's Henry Crocks Band and at the 1999 Atlanta Montreaux Jazz Festival with Ben Wicker and Nightwind. She can be heard on the CD "Four Women" with Atlanta musician Mojo Davis.
A relative newcomer to St. Croix, Sharif has made a few cameo appearances around the island but this will be her first concert appearance. Joining her for the Jazz Vespers concert are Marcus Rabb on trumpet, Dan Dixon on guitar, Marsvyn David on bass, Ken "Afra" Daily on drums and Rene Encarnacion on congas.
Jazz Vespers offers an opportunity on the first Sunday of each month for jazz lovers to enjoy live music by some of the island's top talent as well as visiting artists in a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. Young and aspiring musicians are encouraged to chat with the musicians at a reception with complementary refreshments following the concert.
The Reformed Church is located on the hill overlooking the Kingshill Post Office. Admission is free but a freewill offering is taken. Partnering with the church in presenting the concerts are Owen Johnson Electric, Beeston Hill Clinical Lab, Carringtons Inn St. Croix and The Blue Moon.
On tap to showcase coming concerts are guitarist/steelpan artist Dan Dixon with Hot Clave Bop from New Jersey on May 4, Stan Joines and the Central High School Jazz Combo on June 1, and drummer Dave McKean on July 6.
For more information, call Willard Fields at 719-3672 or Pastor Rod Koopmans at 778-0520, or send an e-mail to Jazz Vespers.
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