Join us for First Unity’s special Sunday service music for the month of July, 2022, featuring performances by leading members of the St. Louis musical community. July’s schedule is as follows:
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Kim Fuller, vocals with Carolbeth True, jazz piano
Kim Fuller has been performing for decades in the St. Louis area. She began singing at age 5in the Angel Choir at church. Over the years she has sung a variety of music genres. She has served as an opening act for the Jazz Crusaders, Randy Lewis, Pieces of a Dream, The Neville Brothers and countless others. She is a member of ‘The Jazz Story’, a group that promotes Jazz Education to grades K thru 12. Kim is also a member of Oikos, a Jazz group that uses jazz as a catalyst to promote the gospel. She frequently performs around the St. Louis area with a plethora of talented musicians.
Carolbeth True is perhaps the most significant St. Louis jazz pianist of the past 30years. She is well-known in the St. Louis area as a performer and music educator. Carolbeth performs with Two Times True with her son Dave on drums; the Carolbeth Trio; the Oikos Ensemble; Wind of the Spirit Praise Band, and is an original cast member of “The Jazz Story”, the first educational program presented by The Sheldon. She has been the pianist with Variety Children’s Theatre for nine years, and the All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble for seven years.
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Brian Clarke, vocals and guitar
Brian Clarke is perhaps the most beloved New Thought musician in St. Louis. He is most recently the recipient of the St. Louis Magazine “A-List” Award as Best Vocalist and Best Musician. Brian has toured the U.S. many times as a bassist and vocalist with Kinky Friedman and Billy Swan. He has played with Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker and many other well-known artists. As a solo performer, Brian has opened shows for The Little River Band, Poco, Leon Russell, David Crosby, The Outlaws, Tom Chapin, Donovan and many others. Currently, Brian continues to confidently share the skills born of his tremendous experience.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Chuck Flowers, vocals and Steve Schenkel, guitar
Chuck Flowers is a veteran singer/entertainer. He has recorded with the Gospel Symphonic Choir, The O’Neal Twins & the Interfaith Choir and the Golden Gospel Singers. He performed in Porgy and Bess with Union Avenue Opera Theater.
Steve Schenkel is the guitarist and orchestra manager for the Fox Theater, guitarist for the Muny Opera and the St. Louis Symphony, and a freelance jazz musician. Steve has a Ph.D in Music from Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Webster University where he has served as an Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies for 16 years. He recently retired after 37 years at Webster University, where he founded the Jazz Studies program, the Webster Jazz Concert Series, and the Jazz Studies/Music Technology program. Steve now serves as the Music Director for First Unity Church of St. Louis.
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Karen Fulks, vocals and Ron Bryant, piano
Singer and actress Karen Fulks is a St. Louis mainstay in the jazz, gospel, and musical theater fields. She was the winner of the Arts for Life “Best Performance” Award for her work in the musical “Hairspray.”
Ron Bryant is a very active member of the St. Louis musical community. With a career spanning 40 years Ron is heard regularly in clubs and concert venues throughout the St. Louis area and in concert with some of the finest vocalists in the area. Ron has appeared on stage at Powell Symphony Hall with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, at the Blanche Touhill Performing Arts Center, the Sheldon Concert Hall and the Fabulous Fox Theater.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Salt of the Earth
A roots group with a straightforward and unassuming style, a sound that is stripped down to its core, and songs that come straight from within, Salt of the Earth hails from St. Louis, Missouri. The members are Lynne Reif on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mike Schrand on bass and vocals, Jake Brookman on cello, and Jim Hieger on lead acoustic guitars and banjo.