Jazz Vespers: Jay Leonhart
Saint Peter's Church619 Lexington Avenue, New York 10022
Jazz Vespers brings Jay Leonhart to Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. Leonhart is the sole billed act for the evening; no accompanying musicians or performance format have been announced, so it is not possible to say whether he will appear solo or with a group. The event is presented under the church’s Jazz Vespers banner, with no further description of a special theme, guest, release or late set available.
Baltimore-born Leonhart is a double bassist, singer and songwriter whose work joins jazz performance with sharply observed songs, often delivered with dry humor. “It’s Impossible to Sing and Play the Bass” is among his best-known numbers. Across his career he has worked with Judy Garland, Bucky Pizzarelli, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra and Sting; Blossom Dearie, Lee Konitz and Gary Burton have recorded his songs. A press description characterizes his music as “swinging, elegant,” while another praises lyrics that are “wry, witty, and wonderful.” A critic has also called him “the Fred Astaire of jazz.”
Saint Peter's Church offers a unique setting where jazz music and spiritual history intertwine beneath the streets of Midtown Manhattan. The venue is a 178-seat space located in the church's lower level, featuring a recently restored Strayhorn piano that highlights its deep jazz roots. The room’s acoustics are carefully designed to support a range of performances, from intimate jazz sets to more expansive musical events, with a digital sound system enhancing every note. The audience can expect a focused listening experience in a space that balances reverence and artistic expression, often accompanied by a bar but no full restaurant. Shows are typically ticketed, and the environment encourages attentive appreciation rather than casual conversation, making for an evening where music and history resonate together.