Evanston’s Second Church of Christ Scientist hosts Brazilian jazz show featuring local musicians (Evanston, Illinois)

The Second Church of Christ Scientist in Evanston hosted a Brazilian jazz performance on Jan. 23, drawing a crowd despite the cold and rainy weather. The event, titled “Donovan’s Garage Presents an Evening of Brazilian Jazz,” featured a lineup of talented local musicians and highlighted the church’s evolving role in the community.

The church, purchased in December 2022 by Steven Rogers, an Englewood native, is being transformed into a cultural hub. Rogers aims to honor the land’s history and provide a free venue for Black artists to showcase their work. He has expressed a commitment to supporting the Black community through arts and cultural events, including hosting choirs from historically Black colleges and featuring prominent speakers.

The land where the church stands was once home to multiple Black families who were forcibly relocated during a period of racial segregation. Rogers is working to return the space to the community, emphasizing its historical significance and potential for cultural enrichment.

The performance, curated by Donovan Mixon, featured a quintet of local musicians. The group included Mixon on guitar, Jim Barbick on saxophone and flute, David Chelimsky on cavaquinho, Geoffrey Lowe on bass, and Heitor Garcia on drums. They played a diverse set of ten pieces, showcasing the richness of Brazilian jazz.

The evening began with “Caminhado” by Nelson Cavaquinho and Norival Bahia, a lively and whimsical piece featuring Barbick on flute. The performance continued with “The Monster and the Flower” by Claudio Roditi, where Barbick demonstrated his versatility by switching to saxophone. The piece included a rousing drum solo.

Mixon’s original composition, “The Comet,” featured dynamic interactions between the instruments, capturing the energy of a celestial event. The group’s rendition of “Eu Quero e Sossego” by K. Ximbinho and Hianto de Almeida was marked by its expressive and emotive quality.

Another Mixon piece, “October,” saw the composer leading the performance with joy and energy, while saxophonist Barbick added depth to the seasonal theme. The evening concluded with J.J. Johnson’s “Lament,” a moody and reflective piece that conveyed deep sorrow.

The event underscored the church’s commitment to cultural engagement and community support, aligning with its mission to serve as a space for artistic and social enrichment.

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