THE THIRD SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES
Christ Episcopal Church, Covington
120 S. New Hampshire Street
Covington, Louisiana 70433

Don Vappie and Jazz Friends will headline Sept. 21 Third Sunday Concert

Don Vappie and Jazz Friends will kick off the 35th season of the Third Sunday Concert Series at Christ Episcopal Church, Covington, on Sunday, Sept. 21. The concert will be staged in the church, beginning at 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.).

Vappie, highly regarded for his original tenor banjo style, is the recipient of the 2021 Steve Martin Banjo Prize and an inductee of the Banjo Hall of Fame. He has produced seven of his own albums, including “The Blue Book,” which was named the top jazz album of 2020 in The Times of London, and performed as a featured artist on movie and television soundtracks and at concerts and festivals around the world.

Performing with Vappie will be Richard Moten, one of the most sought-after bassists in the New Orleans area; Matt Rhody, an award-winning violinist; and, Mike Esneault, an award-winning composer and jazz pianist.

The ensemble will perform a variety of jazz standards as well as original music.

The Third Sunday Concert is an outreach of Christ Episcopal Church, Covington. The one-hour concerts are free and open to the public and are followed by a reception in the parish hall for the performers and audience.

The 2025-26 season will also offer selections by Opera Festa on Oct. 19; zydeco and Louisiana blues by Sunpie Barnes and The Louisiana Sunspots on Nov. 16; holiday selections by Louisiana Brass on Dec. 21; Broadway tunes, new and old, by Cedric Bridges & Friends on Jan. 18; classical piano by Dr. Qifan Wu on Feb. 15; and, jazz vocal harmony by The Pfister Sisters on April 19.

The season will conclude on May 17 with a performance by teen piano phenom River Eckert, who channels the styles of New Orleans legends Professor Longhair, James Booker and Dr. John.

The concerts are made possible with generous support from the Christ Church congregation and the community at large.

Christ Episcopal Church is located at 120 S. New Hampshire, near the Covington downtown area and just before the entrance to Bogue Falaya Park. The handicap accessible entrance to the sanctuary is located on the park side of the main church.

For more information, contact the church office at 985.892.3177.