A Message from Lenore Evans, Event Founder

Growing up in Detroit, MI listening to Jazz on the radio with family and neighbors and hearing mainliners like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Dakota Staton, Billy Eckstine, and many other top entertainers made a lasting impression in my life. I fell in love with its constant riffs and beats.

Detroit was one of the cities that you could hear top jazz stars perform at the Paradise Theatre which ins now “Orchestra Hall.” During the late 1940s and early 1950s, I followed Tommy Flanagan, Kenny Burrell, and others. I visited “The Flame Show Bar” on John R Street to hear them perform. The Flame Show Bar was the “Hot Spot” of Detroit along with “The Bluebird” on Tireman Avenue in Detroit, MI. It was my delight when Ziggy Johnson, a well-known M.C. asked me to sing before the opening act.

Fast forward to today, my love of Jazz, Blues and its art form gave me the idea to bring Jazz to All Saints Episcopal Church, where I have been a member since 1967. I shared my idea with our then Priest-in-Charge, The Reverend Alfred Loua, The Reverend Jim Hamilton (former Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Farmington Hills, MI), and the Vestry board. They listened to my plan, approved, and blessed the idea and gave me the green light to move forward with our first “Raise the Roof” Jazz Concert.

My hope was that the tradition would grow and continue to be a part of the All Saints Episcopal Church. The proceeds from our annual jazz concerts are used for capital expenses, i.e repaying the roof loan.