October's Jazz Vespers: 10/26 at 4 PM ET

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We are excited to welcome Allan Harris to this month’s Jazz Vespers! The Brooklyn-born, Harlem-based vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and band leader, is a true luminary in the world of music. Revered by the Miami Herald as an artist graced with "the warmth of Tony Bennett, the bite and rhythmic sense of Sinatra, and the sly elegance of Nat ‘King' Cole," Allan Harris stands as an embodiment of moving and magisterial artistry. With a career spanning fourteen recordings as a leader, Allan Harris has captivated audiences worldwide with his exceptional talent and charismatic presence. He boasts an extensive list of accolades, including three-time recipient of the New York Nightlife Award for "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist," a distinguished DownBeat "Rising Star Jazz Vocalist," and a 3rd place winner of the prestigious 2022 "Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition." Harris is also a two-time recipient of Hot House Jazz Magazine's "Best Male Jazz Vocalist" award and has been honored with a Back Stage award for "Ongoing Achievement in Jazz." His excellence extends internationally, earning him France's Palmares Award top 3 Best Jazz Vocal Albums. His contributions as a natural entertainer have solidified his place as a mainstay in concert halls, theaters, jazz clubs, and festivals worldwide. The New York Times has aptly labeled him "a protean talent," and he has earned acclaim from respected publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Glide Magazine, Jazz Times, DownBeat, Vintage Guitar, and more. Allan Harris possesses a dynamic stage presence that has left an indelible mark on the jazz world. His vocal prowess, impeccable phrasing, and profound emotional resonance make him one of the most esteemed vocalists in jazz today. Variety describes Harris as "a velvet-voiced jazz singer, with a savvy manner and music in his veins." 

PRCC's First Annual Pumpkin Patch!

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The 1st Annual Pumpkin Patch at PRCC is coming up Oct 18-31, and we're looking for volunteers to help bring the fall magic to the community    This is a chance to serve locally and make an impact. Proceeds support both the local Pound Ridge Children's Ministries at PRCC and the Navajo Nation pumpkin growers.  We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in a few ways:

  • Sales & Check-out

  • Decorating Station (get creative!)

  • Pumpkin Care ("rolling" them to keep them healthy!)

  • Unloading the Truck (date TBD—great workout!)

Need community service hours?  YES these hours are eligible!  Ready to roll up your sleeves and have some fun? Sign up for all the time slots you can commit to! We appreciate you and can't wait to see you in the patch!

Welcoming Back Two of our Favorite Events: Wooffstock & Jazz Vespers!

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Save the date! On Sunday September 28th, the Pound Ridge will be hosting two of it’s favorite events: Woofstock (from 1-4 pm), followed by the kick-off for this season’s Jazz Vespers at 4 pm! Whether you join us by day for music, furry friends and delicious food or ease into the evening with the Jazz Vespers (Bruce Harris Quartet featuring Pete Malinverni) - our church will be bursting with some of life’s greatest treasures; community, pets and music!!!!

Welcoming Our New Pastor: Reverend Kun Sam “e-Dayfly” Cho

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Pound Ridge Community Church warmly welcomes our new Pastor, who will begin this July 1st, 2025. Reverend Kun Sam “e-Dayfly” Cho is thankful to God for the opportunity to serve in partnership with other disciples of Christ Jesus for the transformation of the world. 

A native of South Korea, Rev. Cho immigrated to California when he was 19-years-old. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara and later moved to New York with his wife, Kyong Hee, in search of God’s dream for his life. He studied at Union Theological Seminary in New York City for three years where he was trained to see and think theologically.  While studying for a Master of Sacred Theology (STM) at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, CT, he confirmed God’s call to serve as an ordained pastor and began his ordained ministry in 1992. 

Within the New York Annual Conference, Rev. Cho has served the past 33 years at Asbury United Methodist Church (UMC) in Forestville, CT; Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church in Fairfield, CT; Central Korean UMC in White Plains, NY; Huntington UMC in Shelton, CT; and Jesse Lee Memorial UMC in Ridgefield, CT. Lately Rev. Cho, also known as “e-Dayfly” is inspired by a fresh vision by the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church unveiled in May, 2025: “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”  He looks forward to loving boldly, serving joyfully and leading courageously with disciples of Jesus Christ at Pound Ridge Community Church.

In his personal time, “e-Dayfly” enjoys golfing, swimming, reading and walking.  Alongside Minnie, a Lhasapoo, he also enjoys living with his wife, Kyong Hee, Music Director at Huntington United Methodist Church in Shelton, CT.

Rev. Cho’s first Sunday with us will be on July 6th. Please join us in welcoming him to the PRCC family!

Jazz Vespers on 5/25 at 4pm

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For nearly 60 years, Janis Siegel’s voice has been an undeniable force in the world of jazz and popular music. A founding member of THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER, Janis’ powerful and versatile voice became one of the groups most recognized trademarks – singing lead on some of their biggest hits including “Boy From New York City”, “Operator”, “Chanson D’Amour”, “Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone”, “Mystery“, “Spice of Life” and “Birdland”. Performing for audiences around the world, TMT and Siegel amassed a large international fan base and garnered consistently high critical praise, including 10 GRAMMY awards and 18 nominations.

Siegel has also enjoyed an eclectic solo career, spawning more than a dozen finely crafted solo albums and participating in numerous collaborative projects with some of the world’s most renowned musicians, producers, composers, and arrangers. She also co-hosts WBGO’s SINGERS UNLIMITED radio program with Lezlie Harrison and VOCAL GUMBO – a virtual music program celebrating the vocal arts with Lauren Kinhan of the New York Voices. 

Jazz Vespers on Sunday, March 23 at 4pm

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2014 Downbeat Critics Poll Winner and Grammy Award winning tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery is one of the Jazz world’s most talented rising stars and in-demand sidemen. In 2006 he secured one of the most coveted gigs in jazz: a frontline position in Tom Harrell’s working quintet. For over a decade Escoffery was mostly associated with trumpet master having toured the globe with the trumpeter, recorded seven CDs with The Tom Harrell Quintet and co-produced four of those releases. He has also been a member of The Mingus Dynasty, Big Band and Orchestra since 2000 and has made several recordings with the group. Over the years he has recorded and performed internationally with the who’s who in Jazz including Ron Carter, Ben Riley, Abdulah Ibrahim, Eric Reed, Carl Allen, Al Foster, Billy Hart, Eddie Henderson, Rufus Reid, Wallace Roney and Herbie Hancock just to name a few. Escoffery leads his own groups which tour internationally and has made several highly acclaimed studio recordings with said groups. His current working quartet features pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Ralph Peterson and has a released three albums, the latest of which is The Humble Warrior on the Smoke Sessions Records label. Escoffery is also a founding member of a collaborative group called Black Art Jazz Collective which is comprised of fellow rising star musicians of his generation and is dedicated to celebrating the origins of Jazz and African American Icons through originally composed music.

In addition to performing, Escoffery is dedicated to music education and presents lectures and masterclasses on Jazz music. He is currently the saxophone instructor for The New Jersey Performing Arts Wells fargo Jazz for Teens program, and currently teaches private online and in person lessons for all instruments. In the fall of 2016 Wayne Escoffery was appointed Lecturer of Jazz Improvisation and ensemble coach at the Yale School of Music as a part of Yale Universitiy’s Jazz Initiative, the first of its kind for the University. The vast array of contributions Wayne Escoffery has made to the Jazz world in such a short time leads seasoned industry professionals like Niel Tesser to write “ Pay special attention to tenor man Wayne Escoffery whose rapid development - from album to album (and seemingly solo to solo) - has given us a jazz hero for the coming decade.