Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church
Unitarian Universalist
Charlottesville, Virginia

Soulful Sundown Comments from Musicians

From jazz composer and trumpeter John D'earth, on being the featured musician for May 2005, with jazz pianist Kait Duntan:

"The Soulful Sundown service . . . was a high point for me, personally. Knowing our music together as I do I felt it was a chance for Kait and me to go deeper with some of the things we've been exploring together over these last few years . . .perfect timing for us. And on the purely musical level it seemed a beautifully realized musical moment.

The experience at church was also fantastic. Everyone seemed so attuned to what the music is about. The readings were great and the spirit of the whole occasion was memorable. I've been thinking about it ever since."

From Jan Smith:

"My Soulful Sundown experience reminded me of the power of music, community, and spiritual thought. It makes all kinds of sense to bring the three together in an evening service at this lovely church that is so open and welcoming."

From Danny Schmidt:

"That Soulful Sundown was a joy to play because the service and the church create a sacred space where the audience is listening at a deeper, and more open and connected level than audiences normally listen at. And it's especially satisfying, cause it's often in this similar state that the music is originally written in the first place -- there's a sort of sacred state in the middle of the night all by yourself with only your guitar and a few sips of tequila, sitting on the porch, writing -- and in my mind there's more similarity to Porch and Church than most people would like to give credit to. And it's just nice to try and get yourself to that state while you're among others in the community (like at Soulful Sundown) and it's one of the few times I've felt like I was sharing instead of performing."

From Paul Curreri:

"In one magical swoop, Soulful Sundown provides a platform for a pleasantly rounded get-down-and-out-and-in. One part concert, one part poetry, one part emotional pot-luck, it knocked the bejeezus out've my preconceptions, sent me to the bar afterward in the best mood. A remarkable experience: to be up there working, feeling the deep closeness of the attending community, and to not have the slightest hint of claustrophobia. A true pleasure."