Jazz at Saint Peter's announces Gene Bertoncini Honoree at All Night Soul 2014, Sunday, October 12, 2014

New York, NY — The 44th ALL NITE SOUL at Saint Peter’s Church is held in honor of guitarist Gene Bertoncini. On Sunday, October 12 at 5 PM, Jazz Vespers begins with trumpeter Terell Stafford featuring Pat Bianchi (organ) and Chris Beck (drums). All Nite Soul goes into full swing at 7 PM with over 80 musicians performing!

Musicians performing include: Howard Alden, Fabian Almazan, Gene Bertoncini, TK Blue, Rogerio Boccato, Freddy Bryant, Amy Cervini, Alexis Cole, Chris Dingman, Vince Ector, Hilary Gardner, Carlton Holmes, Clay Jenkins, Ingrid Jensen, Jesse Lewis, Russell Malone, Michael Manieri, Sarah McLawler, Paul Meyers, Michael Moore, Nadje Noordhuis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Janet Planet, Rufus Reid, Chanda Rule, Jared Schonig, Derek Smith, Terell Stafford, Loren Stillman, Ike Sturm, Melissa Stylianou, Warren Vaché, Tom Washatka, Jack Wilkins, Paul Winter and many more.

Bio: Gene Bertoncini is one of the pre-eminent jazz guitarists active today. His fluid technique and lyricism have won him international praise and accolades as the “Segovia of jazz.” An eloquent and versatile improviser, Mr. Bertoncini has been heard with an extraordinary range of jazz greats, including performances and recordings with Wayne Shorter, Paul Desmond, Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, and Hubert Laws among others, as well as such distinguished singers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone and Edye Gorme.

A prolific studio musician, Mr. Bertoncini performed with The Tonight Show band for two years when Johnny Carson hosted, and he has worked with composers and arrangers such as Lalo Schifrin and Michael Le Grand and performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. In addition to an active performing and recording schedule, Mr. Bertoncini teaches at the Eastman School of Music and William Patterson University. A New York City native, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in architecture.

“Bertoncini is an affecting, highly original guitarist who moves easily back and forth between classical and jazz guitar.” – The New Yorker

The Legend Wall, an “exhibit wall” in Saint Peter’s Living Room, will tell the story of Gene Bertoncini’s career from its start to his current activities — with memorabilia, including photographs organized by photo archivist Tad Hershorn of Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies. The exhibit will also feature memorabilia from the Thad Jones archives at William Paterson University provided by archivist David Demsey.

“All Nite Soul” was originally created in 1970 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the creation of Jazz Vespers in 1965. The event has continued every year since then with hundreds of musicians performing and coming together in a “jazz love fest.” The Hungry Souls’ Café, an important feature of the event, serves homemade Soul Food. All Nite Soul is held in October starting on the Sunday evening of Columbus Day weekend and continues into Monday morning — hence the name All Nite Soul. Each year a major jazz icon is celebrated. Those celebrated in recent years include Sheila Jordan, Barry Harris, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Powell, Jane Jarvis, Joe Wilder, Frank Wess and Randy Weston.

Saint Peter’s Church is a home for diverse individuals and communities which celebrates the dignityand vitality of jazz, provides vibrant liturgy and pastoral care, and through intersecting partnerships, offers jazz programs, education and services. An outreach program of Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in New York City, The Jazz Ministry was founded in 1965 by the late Reverend John Garcia Gensel who created Jazz Vespers, a worship service featuring a wide range of jazz musicians that is held each Sunday at 5:00 PM. Our pastors include Amandus Derr, Jared Stahler and Jazz Pastor Emeritus Dale Lind. Bassist/composer Ike Sturm serves as Director of Music for the Jazz Ministry. The Jazz Ministry thrives today with many events and programs such as Jazz Vespers, All Nite Soul, Jazz on the Plaza, musician seminars, Midday Jazz, memorials, tributes, concerts, and more.

“All Nite Soul 2014 – Honoring Gene Bertoncini” takes place on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Saint Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street), NYC, (212) 935-2200. Take the E train to Lexington Avenue or the 6 train to 51st Street.

5:00 PM: Jazz Vespers with Terell Stafford Free – all are welcome!
7:00 PM: All Nite Soul Concert — $25 Suggested Ticket Donation — in advance at

Tickets in advance or $30 at the door.

Check out the Gene Bertoncini exhibit and The Hungry Souls Café!