Atlanta, (February 24, 2020). Under the direction of jazz master Dwight Andrews, the Senior Pastor of First Congregational Church, First Friday at First concerts offer some of the finest talent located here in Atlanta. This gifted group of musicians includes instrumentalists, vocalists as well as composers. First Friday at First is always held on the first Friday evening of each month starting in February and consistently bringing great jazz to Atlanta through November. The concerts take place in The Commons, from 6:00 through 9:00 p.m. on the campus of First Congregational Church, located at 125 Ellis Street, N.E.; Atlanta, GA 30303.
Wycliffe Gordon is a well-known instrumentalist who made his mark with the trombone. He is also an arranger, composer, band leader, and singer who will perform at First Friday at First on March 6, 2020. Gordon is a veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and an original member of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra from 1995-2000. Gordon was a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center” Series. His show “Jazz a la Carte” was named one of the five best moments in jazz by the Wall Street Journal. Some of his performance experience includes work with David Sanborn, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant, Rene Marie, Dianne Reeves, Anat Cohen [Cohen is a New York City-based jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader from Tel Aviv, Israel], Ricky Skaggs, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinsen, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Tommy Flanagan, Shirley Horn, Joe Henderson, Eric Reed, Randy Sandke, and Branford Marsalis, to name a few. Wycliffe is a Yamaha Performing Artist and has his own line of Wycliffe Gordon Pro Signature Mouthpieces by Pickett Brass.
The public is invited for great music, dinner, fun, and fellowship. Come early to get a seat or purchase your tickets in advance. Individual tickets are $20.00 each; season tickets are $15 each for purchases of eight or more concerts; and student tickets are $10.00 with student identification. Prices for dinner range from $4.00 to $7.00.
All funds raised at church-based events will be used toward other church programs and outreach ministries. To purchase tickets for First Friday at First, please visit Eventbrite at 2020firstfridayjazz.eventbrite.com.
For further information about First Friday at First, please contact First Church at 404-659-6255 and ask for the church administrator during regular office hours or contact the First Friday team at firstfriday@firstchurchatl.org. Free Parking is available at the C.A.R.E. parking lot next door to The Commons on Piedmont and Ellis Streets.