VIDEO: First Baptist Church of Greendale holds 24th annual Jazzy Christmas Celebration

Written by Lily New, Student Stringer from Lawrenceburg High School.

Photo by Lily New.

(Greendale, Ind.) - On December 7 and 8, First Baptist Church held its 24th annual Jazzy Christmas celebration.

Music Minister Mark Tanner runs the show but everyone at the church contributes by making desserts and ornaments or volunteering time to set up, welcome, serve, and clean.

The band is made up of many professional musicians from all around the Tri-state area who only get together to preform for Jazzy. The choir consists of people of the church and anyone that is dedicated to join. They all have been preparing for over three months to perform.

The lights dim as the sound of saxophone and trumpet fills the room as the song starts. The choir stands and begins, “Sing We Now of Christmas/ Noel Sing We Here.” The song is a jazz rendition of Sing We Now of Christmas called “Swing We Now of Christmas” The choir and band sing about 19 total songs and medleys, including a “Christmas on Broadway” medley of songs and “Big Band Carol Medley;” the singers then bring out desserts and coffee to everyone.

"This is a time for family and friends to gather and spend time together to get into the spirit of Christmas," said pastor Alex D’Amico. “Christmas hasn't officially started until you hear Mark on the piano with the band playing ‘Christmastime is Here’”.

Each night over 200 people were in attendance. Mark has been asked why he does not charge for tickets since the turnout is so big and there could be a great profit. He says “it's a gathering, jazz makes people happy. We live in a lot of sadness so when we can hear happy, that's good." If the audience is interested in donating, the church is accepting donations to support the town of Newport, Tennessee which has been struggling with flooding after Hurricane Helen.